Potential pitfalls on victorian pathway - Tile Advice

[All Squared Rob]

Hi all, Ive just had a job in where the customer wants me to lay a victorian path. Its 10 x 1.3m onto concrete that was layed last October, it is flat but has a slight incline from the house to street. The main tiles are 100x100mm but the ones for the border are a quarter of the size.
As this will be my first time laying this type of path i was wondering if anyone could point out any potential banana skins before i slip on them!
Ive mainly been wondering if i can tile straight to the concrete or will it need further preparation as the finish is quite rough. I have uploaded photos to show this.
Also if i should use my normal 13mm u notch trowel for large format or is there something more suitable for these small format tiles? Perhaps a solid-bed tipped trowel?
Any further advice also welcome!

 

[Dave]

I wouldn't use a trowel that large , I use an 8mm on these and I back skimmed each tile for full bond.

 

[Old Mod]

That's smart Dave!

 

[Dan]

Nice job that will be!

I'd assume you need to sort that concrete out. It's not be much of a problem with large tiles but 25x25mm are going to get lost in the amount of adhesive you'd need to overcome that roughness.

So level / smooth that. Not sure what with I'll let the lads suggest something.

How far in from the edge is the border going? You want to run a string line down the edge to see how straight it is. It looks straight but it might not be 25mm tile straight. So that might judge how far in the border is going.

 

[White Room]

Bet the cutting on the right hand border was a pain...

 

[Old Mod]

If ur concerned the concrete is rough, then stick a smoothing compound on it!
If this is ur first time then give urself every chance.

 

[Dave]

My path wasn't that smooth , so I skimmed it with the same adhesive I tiled with , it's been down nearly 4 yrs now.

 

[Old Mod]

My path wasn't that smooth , so I skimmed it with the same adhesive I tiled with , it's been down nearly 4 yrs now.

Ah yeah but ur a dab hand!

 

[Dan]

Also, especially as it's outside, consider using a housebrick as a sander. Rub it over the whole floor you wouldn't believe how much smoother you'd get it. It'll take off any high spots easy. And then smooth it with the adhesive then as Dave says.

 

[Dave]

Bet the cutting on the right hand border was a pain...

It was not too bad actually , quick scribe in.

 

[All Squared Rob]

I wouldn't use a trowel that large , I use an 8mm on these and I back skimmed each tile for full bond.

View attachment 74155

Good idea. Are they 3mm joints?

 

[Dan]

Good idea. Are they 3mm joints?

Always use 3mm minimum for floors. It's british standard minimum. If you use anything less and things go wrong, you know it's going to be the excuse for any other firm involved to get out of the actual cause of the problem.

 

[Dave]

Good idea. Are they 3mm joints?

Yes.

 

[All Squared Rob]

Nice job that will be!

I'd assume you need to sort that concrete out. It's not be much of a problem with large tiles but 25x25mm are going to get lost in the amount of adhesive you'd need to overcome that roughness.

So level / smooth that. Not sure what with I'll let the lads suggest something.

How far in from the edge is the border going? You want to run a string line down the edge to see how straight it is. It looks straight but it might not be 25mm tile straight. So that might judge how far in the border is going.

I think the border tiles are 50x50 but held up against the bigger ones they are only a quarter the size. But i suppose a couple of hours with a smoothing compound could save me a couple of days in the long run, nice brick trick tho never heard that before I'll give that a wazz first!!

 

[All Squared Rob]

Always use 3mm minimum for floors. It's british standard minimum. If you use anything less and things go wrong, you know it's going to be the excuse for any other firm involved to get out of the actual cause of the problem.

Always do, its just the shop where the client got the tiles (supposedly a flooring specialist! ) has supplied her with 2mm, why do shops always have to get involved!?!