uneven floor advice

[kaharrison9]

Hi All
Hoping for any experienced pointers/advice regarding an uneven 14m2 conservatory floor i'm taking on.
The floor has a couple of slight humps and also dips that go low to around 8mm.The customer doesn't want it self levelling as he says a previous quote mentioned it unneccesary.
The tiles are 400mmx400mm porcelain,the adhesive i'm using is Kerraflex maxi and the trowel is a large format 15mm notch trowel.
Would i be best starting off on the highest hump with a 10mm trowel then switch to the 15mm as i come off?
Has anybody ever used Kerraflex maxi to it's maxium depth of 15mm?
To acheive that sort of depth would the 15mm trowel and the tile well back buttered be okay?
Also would it make sense to mix slightly less water so the adhesive is more firm to help the tile from possibly slumping?
Never attempted a floor like this or used the adhesive before so any thoughts really appreciated.
Thanks
Kev

[whitebeam]

I've used the keraflex maxi and it's good stuff to use, why they took the advise from the other tiler then would'nt listen to you and your doing the job. You will be using more than normal amount of addy, if you can grind down some of the high spots down may help you out. Probably used a 12mm trowel myself but you should be ok with yours

[doug boardley]

I'd tell them it's swings and roundabouts Kev, what you don't use in slc you'll make up for in using more adhesive, plus not using slc will be more fiddly and add time to the job. Don't forget that it's you that's the pro!

[Dave]

If they took advise from another tiler that slc wasn't needed and then you say it dose....why have they used you..? and now they are using you .. why have they not used your advice....i'm sorry but if you think the floor needs levelling then the customer should go with your advise not somebody who never got the job...

[kaharrison9]

Cheers guys.
Is very odd that the customer goes against my advice but offers us the job over the other.
Perhaps my lack of experience when dealing with customers is not convincing them?
I always try to be positive though and the thought and research i have to put in before starting has taught me a bit.
As asked is it best to start off on the hump with a 10mm trowel?
If it doesnt end up looking like a mountain range i'll put on some snaps!!
Kev

[whitebeam]

Put a straight edge on the floor and find your highest points and work from that

[Jtsd02]

why dont you try dry laying the floor,then start from the high point and work your way out.i have done it a few times and its always worked out fine.

john

[mikethetile]

i cant get my head round this one

did you not give a price for doing the job

if so............slc the low spots and make life easier for yourself

or do it her way and charge extra for the extra addy and time involved

[kaharrison9]

Do agree Mike regarding self-levelling but the customer was adamant in he's mind that it didn't need doing.
By suggesting to him this way the feeling i got suggested he thought i was causing him problems!
Did budget for the extra adhesive and didn't expect a reply.
With experience maybe i should have stood my ground more but perhaps that may have lost us the job.
Kev

[bonemachine]

id tell the customer in the nicest possible way that my way is the best way and if they didnt use SLC then it would cost more in the long term. If that didnt work then id spit me dummy out and sulk

[Colour Republic]

Do agree Mike regarding self-levelling but the customer was adamant in he's mind that it didn't need doing.
By suggesting to him this way the feeling i got suggested he thought i was causing him problems!
Did budget for the extra adhesive and didn't expect a reply.
With experience maybe i should have stood my ground more but perhaps that may have lost us the job.
Kev

I understand where you're coming from but your already in a bad situation if the customer is taking this stance. Price is maybe the biggest factor to this customer; I have the feeling that you were cheaper than the other quote even with the SLC added. So the customer thinks 'hey I’ll get the cheaper guy to do it and I’ll knock the SLC off and get it even cheaper!'

Personally I'd tell the customer that if he chooses to ignore my advice which is his right to do, then I cannot guarantee the finish. But I understand if you need the work then that's not quite as easy

[whitebeam]

It's funny how customers believe the first bit of advise there given, that includes from the sheds and there pva. I have read many posts and it seems to be the standard way of thinking for them. I had the same problem but have stood my ground, albeit plastering or tiling but trying to convince them to the right way can be a hard slog

[obobsmith]

I would be wary and make sure customer is aware of the pro's and con's of using slc, and make it quite clear that if they choose to ignore your advise and still use you for the job that either:
a: you will not do it
or
b: that you are not prepared to guarantee the job.

You are the one who knows what's right, you are the expert, thats why they contacted you.

[CJ]

Its all well and good NOT guaranteeing the job............but then when you fight and struggle with it.........and it still comes out pants.........Are they gonna pay you Don't think so.

Tell them........self level.........or walk away

[faithhealer]

Hi Kev, how about you tell them you put the slc down for free if they supply the material. Save you loads of time. best of luck with it anyway

[obobsmith]

Its all well and good NOT guaranteeing the job............but then when you fight and struggle with it.........and it still comes out pants.........Are they gonna pay you Don't think so.

Tell them........self level.........or walk away

What I was getting at was just trying to be the diplomat, you know whats needed ,cust knows better. I would walk away, no guarantee is my get out, ( a polite rebuke is better than a sledgehammer in the chops I find , but hey I'm only a Glesga boy)