I've just recently come back from a short break in spain over xmas.. A family member is looking to sell their place so he paid for me to go across and tile the patio like roof ontop of his villa.

The reason for the tiling

1) the tiles were crappy
2) floor wasn't level and walls weren't straight
3) somehow the concrete under the tiles was letting water through and dripping inside the villa

He got a quote of 3000 euros (36 sq m), but that included re-concreting the roof to make it level then re-tiling the lot.

Being english, he had a budget, this included JUST the tiles, adhesive and grout, which i insisted on him having. One thing i noticed about spain, they don't use grout for whatever reason, and it's the second villa he's had problems with, the roof leaking because the water just falls between the tiles.

Also, before i got there.. he'd already baught all the materials so i pretty much didn't know what i was using, at all. The english weber wasn't able to give me a data sheet for it either. But apparently it's for tile on tile.

Using old tools, borrowed tile cutters.. the job was just one big pain in the harris, even got burnt in winter being on the roof ! Adhesive was good, didn't dry too quick, infact it was pretty good. Grout was a pain,Only thing that's still a bit wafty is the level but i done the best i could with what i had.

If you're going to work out there, maybe a good sales pitch is using grout? I noticed alot of the english bars/resuarants had grout, done properly and looked somewhat professional. You'll be doing alot of levelling whilst you're out there aswell, nothing's straight and the spanish don't have standards or regulations.

I thought i'd share my experience with all you, was definatly an adventure for my first ever tiling job. I'm pleased with the results though so it can't be that bad.
The roof no longer leaks.

Lee

did you get paid?

Sadly, no. But i got to see my neice who i've not seen in months, so payment enough.

Well done Lee...it goes to prove that the grass isn't greener on the other side....with the availability of materials in UK, you lot have never had it so easy.....Ay when I were a lad, we only had sand and cement ...and had to soak tiles in water before fixing...and wash grout off with our tongues.....and another thing........

You can get decent materials out there if you have time to look..........irtiling had to work with what he had but infront of him and did a very good job by the sounds of it ..and i bet that will get him more work for him out there if he wants it.........( so he can see his neice alot more) if you can do a half decent job out there, people are crying out for you because everthing they do is sup-standard ......... i no a joiner come handy man who has gone out there to retire and in the first week he was there was asked to fit a cat flap for a neighbour.... it has snowballed since and is now working full time..........doing jops for all the brit expats......

Before we started






Then when we finished, pictures aren't so good because it was raining. (no leaks though! )





And yeah, alot of work out there is from word of mouth. My brother/family live in a big expat area, everything's done from someone they "know", from tilers to electricians to hairdressers etc.

Great job Lee...but where does rainwater go ? just curious.....gaz

last image at the bottom.. there's a drain in the far corner the whole roof angles towards that

how did you mange to do it without a head (picture 2 ) lol.. were do they live in spain ...... and is that a big drain in the corner picture 4 ( gaz @ tops) maybe needs to invest in some glass.........lol
----
your miss must be fit with your eye sight lol

haha i just noticed the head thing, and that's my brother They live in a place called Quesada, about 35 mins from alicante airport. Big expat area with a few golf greens scattered about the place. It's quite plesent there, bit boring for us youngens tho!

Thats right by were he,s gone to live...... he's getting to much work and his mrs is playing hell with him...let us no if you get more work from it..... Going to live there my self in the next 12 months if i can sell my house(albox allmeria spain) going to open a little shop with a dozen bathroom dissplayes to services the british expats out there..

Looks a good job there

Originally Posted by jonesy7

if you can do a half decent job out there, people are crying out for you because everthing they do is sup-standard ......

I have a Villa near Quesada. Pool terrace tiling is absolute Sh-te (Im going to redo it when I get time) but all of the tiling in the villa is first class and beautiful, All done by Spanish builders: Just like here in UK some cowboys but some some first rate craftsman too. Don't write them all off on one or two examples, they work fast and most do a great job, working in heat we couldn't satand

Hi lrtiling, did you tile on tile ?

Originally Posted by Jimmy Boy

Hi lrtiling, did you tile on tile ?

Hi

i have a place in Catalla, up the hills above Alicante

My terrace is already tiled, but the tiles are starting to crack and i can hear creaking under the tiles as if its not been sealed properly. Is it best to lift up all the old tiles and replace with new, they need re[placed anyway

What do i put down below the new tiles, is tiling outside the same as indoors, same materials?

Any assistance would be appreciated to this DIYer

Jim

Hi Cjiruk,
Definately remove the old tiles and any loose adhesive first. (If the terrace has a room below I would seal with a product called 'Lanko' 35€ a bag. It's a cement based product, mix with water to obtain a gooey consistency and paint or roller on in one direction. Once dry redo but paint on at 90 degrees to the last coat).
For the adhesive use Kerrakol Special or ask at any almacen for a decent exterior cemento cola. Don't use normal cemento cola or you will find the tiles will pop after the summer.

Thanks for the reply your info is very handy. Do i lay any plywood down before laying the new tiles? As yet i don't know what is under the old ones until i start to lift them.

I have hopefully managed to attach a picture that i took at porcelana showroom in Alicante, do you know where i can get these tiles cheaper in Alicante region, or even willing to travel a wee bit to save a bit of money as the showroom i went to was very expensive.

Also does anyone know where i can get reasonably priced shower decks for a wetroom i am hoping to do unless there is a good tiler out there who is reasonable and is willing to travel to Castalla near Alicante!

Thanks

Jim

Don't use ply. Remove the tiles as mentioned then check the level. You may need to do some repair work. Remember that when you install the new tiles you need them to slope away from the house for when it rains.
If you look on this forum you will find a reputable tiler in you area.
Regards

Hi Lee i apreciate your comments about Quesada, i live an hour inland but hold the keys to a couple of apartments belonging to good friends so get to get up there twice a month have been doing so for the last five years and also do quite a bit of work their.What you must realise is that these properties were built for Brits and other Western Eureopeans, they are crap built similar to a 60s council estate and the Spanish wouldnt touch them with a barge pole unless they could buy one for nothing.These builders generaly use foreign labour who can do every thing to a bad standard. They butt tiles up for two reasons,1 its obviously quicker and 2 believe it or not they tile the floor before they plaster walls they think its easier to clean up on but if the tiles were grouted this would be a problem.Their are some good Spanish tilers about who can get over all sorts of problems without moaning but they are normaly centred where the big money is Barcelona & Madrid, they have the same problem as in the U.K. competing against cheap foreign labour.The biggest problem i have is that most Brits when they want work done have already been ripped of by Tom, Juan & Sergei because i was to dear but then expect me to come and sort it out like some kind of social worker.
Scott what is this Lanko? i dont get that where i am we normaly tank the terrace with Gaucho or the red acryllic paint reinforced with fibre mesh or if it is a posh job Terraphatica which is a 12*1 metre roll of ashfalt material.
Regards Lucius

Scott what is this Lanko? i dont get that where i am we normally tank the terrace with Gaucho or the red acryllic paint reinforced with fibre mesh or if it is a posh job Terraphatica which is a 12*1 metre roll of ashfalt material.

Lanko is a impermable cement based product and ideal to adhere to.
I don't use Gaucho as sometimes it thins against the heat outside. (Perfect for interiors)
The red paint stuff is very good though

Cheer Scott
Yes i dont use the black stuff for the same reason and also it is proper messy stuff to work with, do you know who makes Lanko?
Regards
Lucius

Hi

any tilers on this thread fit wet rooms? I was going to take out my bath in the cave that is my bathroom in a traditional townhouse in Castalla Alicante and fit a wetroom type shower. I have seen plenty of bases from WetDec etc over in the UK, they look as if they will do the job, but can i buy them in Spain?

Also would it be easier and cheaper to buy a gulley type drain and built a sloping base. remember i am a DIYer.

Thanks

Jim

All the ones i have done you lay a square sheet of membrane on a wet screed formed to the shape required and then fold the corners to form an upstand the membrane comes with the drain fitted in the middle you then screed on top to form the falls required thats the way we do it here might be different in other parts of Spain
Lucius.

Originally Posted by lucius

Cheer Scott
Yes i dont use the black stuff for the same reason and also it is proper messy stuff to work with, do you know who makes Lanko?
Regards
Lucius

Can't remember at present, but will find out for you. Probably be next week as I'm not near the almacen that I normally buy from

Cheers Scott
Whereabouts are you?
Lucius.

Lucias. Im in Alhaurin el Grande approx.20km inland behind Marbella, Malaga

Cheers Scott
About five and a half hours away from me, just wondered as some of the materials you mention are not available where i am just shows how things are different from province to province.
Lucius

These leaks are very common in Spain, the Spanish way of damp proofing is tiling around the inside of the villa's up to a metre or so, this is because they don't fit a damp proof coarse so the lower part of the "yeso" on the wall blows as you probably already know, friends of mine have had lots of problems with roofs,walls, etc, ,All though we are lucky with ours.

I've herd rumours lately that damp proofing coursing etc all round on new builds is now mandatory, around Almeria area anyway!! but stories fly around like no tomorrow here.

And whats more, my tiles have been GROUTED!!


Jeff.

Originally Posted by lucius

All the ones i have done you lay a square sheet of membrane on a wet screed formed to the shape required and then fold the corners to form an upstand the membrane comes with the drain fitted in the middle you then screed on top to form the falls required thats the way we do it here might be different in other parts of Spain
Lucius.

Do you know where i can buy teh membrane with the drain fitted in the middle, any where in the Alicante region?

Thanks

Jim

There's a plumbers merchant at the "Vera Commercial" called "Agua confort" (i think that's how it's spelt) although that's a couple of hours down from you, there's a good chance they will have it, maybe worth a google.
I doubt if you would get something like that at good ole "Leroy Merlins" but you never know.

Jeff.