Help Me Slate on 3mm Ply - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

JJWTiling · 24-09-2008

Dear All
My first post here and i am looking for advice.
The Customer has bought slate and is looking to to tile his kitchen. The builders have laid 3mm ply for me to tile onto. The ply has been tacked down very well. I was wondering if the ply is thick enough to tile onto. The slate varies in sizes from 600mm to 200mm and is 15mm thick.
Generally i would tile onto ply of thickness 9mm.
Would i still bond the floor with sbr?
Any advice welcome.
Many thanks
JJW Tiling

**wetdec** · 24-09-2008

re-nail it every 150mm in both directions or it will de-laminate on you with the moisture.

Why have they been so kind what they hiding ............

..

**Dave** · 24-09-2008

What sub-floor is the ply fixed to ..? and what adhesive you using..?

JJWTiling · 24-09-2008

Many Thanks WetDec
I will nail it some more to be on the safe side.
I like your humour, they seem decent folk.......

JJWTiling · 24-09-2008

The sub floor is wooden, The customer is supplying all the materials including sealar for the slate. I havent got the job yet, so i am unsure to what they have bought.
It has to be a flexible adhesive, yes.

**Dave** · 24-09-2008

That thickness of ply overlay is no good for normal flexi cement adhesive......depending on the quality/ grading of the slate you will need thickbed adhesive as well....so 2 part is out of the question on thin ply for slate.....most standard adhesives will bed to 6mm and if thicker is needed for rough graded slate then a thickbed adhesive is used...

**Sir Ramic** · 24-09-2008

No way would i tile onto 3mm ply and i never use nails. This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen IMO.

JJWTiling · 24-09-2008

3mm does seem rather thin, It should be screwed down rather than tacked. I will see if he contacts me tmw. If it sounds like a disaster I'd rather not take it on.
Many thanks

**Sir Ramic** · 24-09-2008

i would feel a lot safer with backer board at 6mm glued and screwed or a thicker ply. 15mm is the recommended thickness by most adhesive manufacturers.

JJWTiling · 24-09-2008

Would you recommend an adhesive i could use.
Would Ardex s20w rapid thickbed adhesive be any good?

monty · 24-09-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJWTiling

3mm does seem rather thin, It should be screwed down rather than tacked. I will see if he contacts me tmw. If it sounds like a disaster I'd rather not take it on.
Many thanks

Wouldn't the ply split if screwed down with being so thin...I'd much prefer to tile onto 6mm backerboard......And as for adhesive i think BAL Ptb will be fine (assuming floor is sound underneath)