Hi all. I've been debating whether toask this 'cos im probably gonna sound v stupid, but it wont be the first time so here goes.

Im tiling a bathroom for a relative. It's small and L shaped. The tiles are ceramic 31 x 45, have used BAL spf. Have only done two walls but having checked the last full row at an internal corner I am out by about 2mm. No idea how this happend, just carelessness and rushing probably. I used battens which are still dead level and have been using spacers. This is bugging me no end. Is there any tricks you guys use to "loose" the diference.

Thanks for your help. Ern.

If you have started out level, and it has crept out of bond by the time it has reached the top row, one or both of your walls are probably not plumb.

2mm should not be too noticeable, especially if it's only at the top couple of rows.
By the time you have siliconed the internal corner, you will hardly know it's out at all.

THanks James, Ill put it down to experience.


Ern.

I haven't started to tile yet, but i don't think i've ever seen a room with plumb walls!?! What's the usual procedure for setting out a wall that isn't straight? Or is there nothing you can do about it really!?!

Thats why I use powdered adhesive so I can build up the tiles slightly, I do plastering as well so gives me the edge when looking at the job.

Originally Posted by ern

Hi all. I've been debating whether toask this 'cos im probably gonna sound v stupid, but it wont be the first time so here goes.

Im tiling a bathroom for a relative. It's small and L shaped. The tiles are ceramic 31 x 45, have used BAL spf. Have only done two walls but having checked the last full row at an internal corner I am out by about 2mm. No idea how this happend, just carelessness and rushing probably. I used battens which are still dead level and have been using spacers. This is bugging me no end. Is there any tricks you guys use to "loose" the diference.

Thanks for your help. Ern.

Are you talking about 2mm at the grout joint around the corner?

And no question is stupid, so keep asking.

Hi Grumpy. Yes 2mm around the corner.

To be honest I noticed this when I was doing the cuts on the back wall. THe adjoinging wall has been completed and the cuts on the back wall were fine for the first three rows then I noticed it started to get out of kilter. I tried to shift them a little as my main concern was the top row not meeting by the time I got the whole way around. To be honest the only person who has noticed it so far is me but that is not the point. I want to do things properly and not fudge 'em. Anythoughts you mayhave would be welcolme.

Thanks Ern.

When you use the powdered adhesive what is t he max thickness you can go. Also can you allow it to go off then if need be add a further few MM ?

Originally Posted by ern

Hi Grumpy. Yes 2mm around the corner.

To be honest I noticed this when I was doing the cuts on the back wall. THe adjoinging wall has been completed and the cuts on the back wall were fine for the first three rows then I noticed it started to get out of kilter. I tried to shift them a little as my main concern was the top row not meeting by the time I got the whole way around. To be honest the only person who has noticed it so far is me but that is not the point. I want to do things properly and not fudge 'em. Anythoughts you mayhave would be welcolme.

Thanks Ern.

I had a similar problem a while a go. Took me two walls to discover the tiles weren't any where near square. I was tracking round and checking with a level all the time but the shorter edges of the tiles weren't parallel (400 x250s in portrait) so even though my verticals were straight my horizontals were running off. My tiles were out by more than 2mm each so by the time I had got to my corners the grout joints didn't line up!! 2mm joints! Only thing I could do was use a good line of silicone to mask the problem. I pointed out the issue to the customer and they were happy as it was not my fault.

Very concerning though!

When faced with these types of problems, always work away from a corner not to it, that way you can line things up and if you have to chase out size issues with the tiles try and hide these behind fixtures or above and behind doors so the problems are not at eye level or noticed when you first walk into the room.

tiles can be a diffrent size by 2mm the trouble is when you use spasers this wll throw the joints out you could try turning the spacers no there side and loosing it in the grout lines

Thanks guys I appreciate all your comments. More to this tiling lark than just sticking 'em up !!

Can you advise though how much addy you can use to level an out of plumb wall? At which point does using addy not become an option and having to consider boarding does?

Cheers. Ern

Often tiles are not uniform in size and so you should have plastic wedges to go along with your spacers and then you can adjust things accordingly.
Work around the room rather than doing one whole wall and then doing the next one as then if things are out you can do something about it.
If you get too far ahead of yourself you may have to take the whole panel down and start over.

Working with natural stone I have a little dremel with a diamond wheel which I sometimes use to cut the groutlines perfect after the mortar is set.
I try to not use it as it takes time, but some materials are less than perfect and you have no choice.

You can do this with some ceramics as well but you have to be careful and do it right.

It's funny you say that. I was going to go around the room row by row but was taught to tile one wall at a time. Is that what most of you guys do, row by row ??
Ern.

have to admit i do one wall at a time leaving my cuts till last never thought of doing it around in rows

I do it both ways, All depends what suits at the time