un-level worktops

[bluemoon]

whenever i do a kitchen splashback the work tops never seem to be level,sometimes running down 4 to 6 mm over a long length(3 or 4 metres).consequently i have to trim most of the tiles by this amount on the bottom row which is a right pain in the arse when you are using 100mm tiles.how do you lads get round this.i have even checked them with other levels just to make sure my levels are'nt out.cheers boys.

[salmonfisher]

4-6 mm not a lot over 3-4 meters i would start with full tile on work top with 100 mm tile

[grumpygrouter]

Not had a worktop out of level yet. You must have some iffy kitchen fitters where you are! Do they not use levels?

[smurf21]

no way round it blue keep your work right no comebacks then.

[whitebeam]

Been lucky never any big problems with work top, As grumpy says

[bluemoon]

they always seem to fall away over washers /dryers or small fridges ,probably because they don't touch the underside of the worktop and so don't give it any support,thing is they always seem to be placed at the ends and that's what causes the fall

[grumpygrouter]

In that case, if it was me, I would have put a supporting batten underneath the worktop before I tiled and made sure it was level. Still think it should have been levelled at the time of installation though!

[Varley]

Have to agree with grumps on this one, dodgy kitchen fitters me thinks.

[bigneil]

i once got caught out, i tiled a kithchen working straight off the work top, didn't think to check it and i was rushing. i came back the next day to grout and instantly noticed that there was a big hump in the middle and my tiles followed it nicely. like a mexican wave
i didn't even notice the spacing when i was fitting them.
I had no choice but to remove a load of them and put em back on straight with the bottoms nipped off to accomodate the lump.
If i had noticed before i started i could have come up with a better solution, GRRRR

[sWe]

whenever i do a kitchen splashback the work tops never seem to be level,sometimes running down 4 to 6 mm over a long length(3 or 4 metres).consequently i have to trim most of the tiles by this amount on the bottom row which is a right pain in the arse when you are using 100mm tiles.how do you lads get round this.i have even checked them with other levels just to make sure my levels are'nt out.cheers boys.

On a side note: You can check the caliberation of your spirit level but placing it on any surface, noting the position of the indicator, and then rotating the level 180 degress. If the indicator stops in the same position, all is well. If it doesn't you either need to caliberate it, or get a new level.

[Turkish]

Haven`t had a worktop problem but did have a bath out of the level the other week so just started tiling short of one tiles distance up from the bath then cut each tile down onto the bath. Silicone then covered up the cut edges. Lucky for the customer he had put the bath in sloping with the plug in the lower end!

Turkish

[Mike Strutter]

Haven`t had a worktop problem but did have a bath out of the level the other week so just started tiling short of one tiles distance up from the bath then cut each tile down onto the bath. Silicone then covered up the cut edges. Lucky for the customer he had put the bath in sloping with the plug in the lower end!

Turkish

Obviously fancied a deep end in his bath, or maybe it WAS level until you stood in it you fat git

[smurf21]

all these things are sent to try us...lol... like i said earlier use datum and keep your work right just inform the customer and no comebacks.

[bigneil]

i had a worktop today... it was pretty level but at each join there was a lump AAAAARRRGG! they were big tiles for a kitchen too, so they see-saw'd on the lump. again i nipped a wee bit out and ill make sure the silicone covers it.
if i have a bath or a worktop that is really squint or lumpy i start a batton half a tile up the wall, and then cut down onto the surface after. why a half tile?? because in my opinion, if the surface is really squint it is less noticable to the eye.

[GazTech]

From time to time I would knock some Rubi wedges in where the units meet the worktops. Loosen the screws, knock wedge in until top is level then nip screws back up.....Gaz

[bigneil]

good tip again gaz

[garythetiler]

4-6mm 0ver 3m is within bs tolerance not that this helps when you are trying to do a nice job

[muffinman]

3 mm in 3m

[MrSpoon]

i had to simply put a band of tiles around someones kitchen not too long ago, just a worktop on 2 opposite walls but the band of tiles had to continue acroee the 3rd wall to join them together, only prob was one worktop was about 12mm higher! i just had to put the tiles on and adjust them and angle them slightly by had and stood back to look at them, you cant tell unless you get up close and have a good look at the slightly different grout lines, customer was happy tho, i explained it all to her and she laughed and said thats what i can expect for getting someone to do the kitchen on the cheap, ah well!