Packing floor tiles

[Brad]

Hi all

First time i'm using this website so hope no teething problems. I would like some advice on the best/quickest way to pack floor tiles on an uneven floor.

A buddy has suggested lifting each tile after laying it to make sure there is enough coverage under the tile. This would be very time consuming especially if it is a large floor. Is there a practical method that I could try?

Thanks for any help.

[JIMBOB187]

I'd say blobbing or back buttering the tiles aswell as combing the floor. Other more experienced tilers I'm sure will advise as well. Regards

[Brad]

Thanks Jimbob

This may sound like a stupid question but how do you make sure that you are consistently getting enough coverage? How can i be absolutely sure without lifting the tile? Especially with critical material like limestone?

[TilingLogistics]

trowel the floor and backbutter the tile

Kev

[LM Ceramics]

my advice would be to try and get the floor as flat as possible but its not always the case so id agree with above posts spread the adhesive as normal and back butter the tiles try use a solid bed trowel if the floor is uneven

[JIMBOB187]

Exactly The extra adhesive given by back buttering the tile compensates for any uneven areas in the floor, basically allowing for adjustments in the individual tile, look for your highest point and use a good spirit level, if it all goes tits, Lino mate.

[grumpygrouter]

Best way is to get the floor flat before you start.

[Grace'sDad]

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

Best way is to get the floor flat before you start.

Never a truer word spoken! Seriously - spend time / money getting the floor smooth. Even if it takes you hours - it will be less time than you'll spend lifting and back-buttering, and you'll have a nicer end result.

Polishing turds is ALWAYS hard work.

[Dave]

IF you do have to pack up a bit then use an adhesive that is suitable for thick bedding tiles......most are only suitable for about a 6mm bed....so either prep the floor right or try a pourable thick bed adhesive and these can go upto 20mm or so.....

[GazTech]

A self levelling compound can be used to build a floor more to the level you need before tiling, or as Dave mentioned, BAL and Dunlop have Pourable thick bed and Large format adhesives available which will give you up to a 25mm (an inch in old money) bed thickness........Gaz

[smurf21]

save yourself time and heartache use two part latex self levelling compound and get the floor flat to start with trying to pack limestone up or any other tile for that matter is a nightmare and so time consuming good prep is the key.

[bigneil]

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

Best way is to get the floor flat before you start.

Right on grumpy, it is so much easier to work on a flat surface.
Use self leveling compuond.