Tiles not a true 601x601

[johnboy]

Hi guys, so I've run into a bit of a pickle, I'm laying 600 square floor tiles.
The sizing for them is meant to be 601x601 I'm laying with 3mm spacers and am now seeing that consistently I'm picking up tiles with 3 sides 601 and a side that's 603.
I'm now at a point that I think I may need to shave off a slight amount to bring them to a true 601 for the next couple. Is this something anyone has tackled before.

 

[J Sid]

Lay them all the same direction and you won't have a problem

 

[Dumbo]

How many have you laid.
If it's not many I would think of lifting them and relaying in a brick bond

 

[johnboy]

Lay them all the same direction and you won't have a problem

How many have you laid.
If it's not many I would think of lifting them and relaying in a brick bond

Thanks. I've laid quite a few. About 30. The issue here is that I needed to lift one after I set but it is in the middle of two already laid ones. So when I lay the tile in the grout lines are inconsistent due to the sizing. So if I shave off a small amout, like a mm or so it should square up in the space and I should be back on track again.

I will bear in mind for the other side of the room to match up the next tile with the previous in a row so that it all runs nicely.

Not all the tiles are 601 on 3 sides and 603 on another but it seems that 9 out of 10 tiles have a 603 side.
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How many have you laid.
If it's not many I would think of lifting them and relaying in a brick bond

I suppose an option might be to try and identify which tiles would help to be removed and relaid with greater attention to detail in terms of the sizing. I'm not keen on the brick bond but I see how it would help with these kinds of problems.

 

[johnboy]

Would i be right in saying that with tiles that are not rectified I should look to lay the longer sides against eachother. So a 603 side in my case is butted against another 603 side.

 

[J Sid]

That would work

 

[johnboy]

That would work

Logically in my head it made sense but wanted to check 🤣
Cool I just gotta work out which ones need lifted then 🤪

 

[Joshjupp]

They might be directional check the back of the tile for an arrow then lay the tiles with the arrows all the same way

 

[johnboy]

They might be directional check the back of the tile for an arrow then lay the tiles with the arrows all the same way

Thanks, I checked for that and no arrows. So think best course of action is to work them that the 603 edges butt to eachother. All my other joints seem pretty good. I'm running with 3mm spacers and in a couple of places the joint runs into 2mm but it's only in a couple spots across the 30 tiles laid so far. Hopefully thatl be ok.

 

[Andy Allen]

ditch the spacers and just use a straight edge, chalk line or laser.....

 

[Dan]

You want to check the batch numbers on them all. Seems odd to have one pack with only one tile out. Usually all made out about the same amount. If you've been working from several boxes at a time (as you are meant to) it could be one of the boxes are the ones with the dodgy side.

As above, check for an arrow or wording on the back, and use them all the same direction. And work the bigger ones in first so the grout joints are slightly wider on the others. Rather than the other way around which will screw you for space.

I'm thinking batch issue maybe. Check the boxes.

Also; what tiles are they where are they from? So people can avoid them lol

 

[johnboy]

You want to check the batch numbers on them all. Seems odd to have one pack with only one tile out. Usually all made out about the same amount. If you've been working from several boxes at a time (as you are meant to) it could be one of the boxes are the ones with the dodgy side.

As above, check for an arrow or wording on the back, and use them all the same direction. And work the bigger ones in first so the grout joints are slightly wider on the others. Rather than the other way around which will screw you for space.

I'm thinking batch issue maybe. Check the boxes.

Also; what tiles are they where are they from? So people can avoid them lol

Thanks mate. I'm not sure I worded it well but I am seeing that most,if not all of the tiles have one edge of 603 and 3 at 601. So as you say they are all out the same.

They are Roma Cielo tiles from Elias Ceramics in Italy. There are no word on the back apart from made in Italy and no directional arrows so I am going to continue with what I have and just match up edges so that the longer 603 edges are next to eachother this should in theory keep the joints from running off and make the rest of the job a bit easier 🤣

 

[Dan]

Keep the wording in the same direction on 'em all then mate. Good luck.

Show us some pictures when you're done mate.

 

[Dave]

Yes we love pics 👍

 

[johnboy]

Keep the wording in the same direction on 'em all then mate. Good luck.

Show us some pictures when you're done mate.

Would I not need to make sure that the longest edge always hit another longest edge? Otherwise where 4 tiles meet it have an extra mm each side creeping into things.

 

[Dan]

Would I not need to make sure that the longest edge always hit another longest edge? Otherwise where 4 tiles meet it have an extra mm each side creeping into things.

If all the tiles faced the same way, then surely only one direction has the issue? And if they all match then the only problem is a wider grout joint in one direction?

What does it look like so far?

Any chance of a chrimbo pic or two?

 

[johnboy]

If all the tiles faced the same way, then surely only one direction has the issue? And if they all match then the only problem is a wider grout joint in one direction?

What does it look like so far?

Any chance of a chrimbo pic or two?

I did a couple of tests there setting 4 tiles on a 2by2 square. First I tried them all the same direction and there was an overlapping couple mm at the outside joints, when I tried the other test with the tiles 603 edge together the tiles flush up perfectly on the outside and internal joins. So think best way to go is with the longest edges butted to eachother. So to sort my issue il just find the longest edge on the ones that are laid and work from there. Hopefully not too many have to come up 🙉🙈 I'll post a few completed pics this week all being well.

 

[johnboy]

Its been a while, I was posting a different question and remembered about the pics was asked for. To cut a long story short, the method of putting the longest edge together worked a treat and the final result after the grout is spot on IMO enjoyed my first tile job and now onto hallway and bathrooms! Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Dave]

Its been a while, I was posting a different question and remembered about the pics was asked for. To cut a long story short, the method of putting the longest edge together worked a treat and the final result after the grout is spot on IMO enjoyed my first tile job and now onto hallway and bathrooms! Thanks for all the help guys! View attachment 113932

Good result, thanks for sharing

 

[Rae]

It happens a lot ,sizy tiles ,see if tbey have arrows on the bottom ,some h@ve to be layed in on3 direction otherwise brick
Effect

 

[johnboy]

It happens a lot ,sizy tiles ,see if tbey have arrows on the bottom ,some h@ve to be layed in on3 direction otherwise brick
Effect

Yeah this was my first go at tiling so it was bit of a melt but when i realised they were consistently +2mm on one edge i thought butting them together and then doing the mirror image on the next row etc etc would get me sorted, as it turns out it worked a treat and everything fell where i had planned over the 70sqm job.. This forum helped a lot! Just being able to bounce questions to folks in the trade that know exactly the issues that always come up just like you said above so a big shout out to all you guys!