Tiling a double garage

[Terry-La-Tiler]

I am due to start a job on Monday that consists of tiling the floor of a double garage which measures 20 m2, It's a really smart property, they got loads of money and will be expecting a perfect finish.

The tiles are 300x300 Porcelain with a highly polished grey marble finish. I'll be using BAL Motobond to fix them and BAL Wide joint superflex for grouting, I intend to use BAL SBR to prime the surface.

The garage floor is currently painted with a grey paint which appears to be sound, (no flaking anywhere). I'm not sure though whether the floor needs levelling. If I lay a spirit level on the floor the surface appears to be quite even but is not flat. The finish of the floor is a rippled effect, the ripples are in places around an inch wide and 5mm deep. Due to this surface, I'm worried that when the adhesive has been spread, it may not make full contact with the tiles and that they may crack when the cars are driven over them. I'm hoping that someone may be familiar with this particular type of flooring and may be able to advise me?

I was really hoping that I wont have to level the floor but If it does need to be levelled, will the customer be able to park their cars on it before the tiling is started, which may be a day or 2 later, or is it likely to crack?

Lastly, I haven't as yet purchased a threshold for the entrance and was thinking of ordering a 'Schluter Reno Ramp', I am led to believe though that that these are only available in 8" strips and I need it cover a length of 5 metres. Do you suppose that any metal profile would be sufficient or would it be likely to bend or be damaged as the cars are driven over it?

I realise that there are quite a few questions in this post but any advice offered would be appreciated, I just want to make sure I get this right.

Thanks once again for your your help guys.
T.

[Danny@ Diamond]

I am due to start a job on Monday that consists of tiling the floor of a double garage which measures 20 m2, It's a really smart property, they got loads of money and will be expecting a perfect finish.

The tiles are 300x300 Porcelain with a highly polished grey marble finish. I'll be using BAL Motobond to fix them and BAL Wide joint superflex for grouting, I intend to use BAL SBR to prime the surface.

The garage floor is currently painted with a grey paint which appears to be sound, (no flaking anywhere). I'm not sure though whether the floor needs levelling. If I lay a spirit level on the floor the surface appears to be quite even but is not flat. The finish of the floor is a rippled effect, the ripples are in places around an inch wide and 5mm deep. Due to this surface, I'm worried that when the adhesive has been spread, it may not make full contact with the tiles and that they may crack when the cars are driven over them. I'm hoping that someone may be familiar with this particular type of flooring and may be able to advise me?

I was really hoping that I wont have to level the floor but If it does need to be levelled, will the customer be able to park their cars on it before the tiling is started, which may be a day or 2 later, or is it likely to crack?

Lastly, I haven't as yet purchased a profile for the entrance yet and was thinking of ordering a 'Schluter Reno Ramp', I am led to believe though that that these are only available in 8" strips and I need it cover a length of 5 metres. Do you suppose that any metal profile would be sufficient or would it be likely to bend or be damaged as the cars are driven over it?

I realise that there are quite a few questions in this post but any advice offered would be appreciated, I just want to make sure I get this right.

Thanks once again for your your help guys.
T.

Hi Terry,

Please give Sam a call at the centre on 01903 739 407, he will be more than happy to talk you through the above in detail.

[gaz man]

if it was me i would be more worried about the paint . really imo it should be scabbled up before u do any more prep work

[CJ]

As above.

The self leveller/cement will not stick to the painted floor.

The paint needs to be 85% removed............you can hire scabblers which will remove the paint, but it is a messy job, unless you get the wet version of the machine.

DO NOT TRY LEVELLING OR TILING WITH PAINT IN SITU............BEEN THERE, DONE THAT...........AND IT DOES'NT WORK.

Sorry

Take a look............http://www.hss.com/g/30618/Multi-Head-Scabbler-Air.html

[LM Ceramics]

As above.

The self leveller/cement will not stick to the painted floor.

The paint needs to be 85% removed............you can hire scabblers which will remove the paint, but it is a messy job, unless you get the wet version of the machine.

DO NOT TRY LEVELLING OR TILING WITH PAINT IN SITU............BEEN THERE, DONE THAT...........AND IT DOES'NT WORK.

Sorry

Take a look............http://www.hss.com/g/30618/Multi-Head-Scabbler-Air.html

i agree totally with cjs post the paint must be removed with a scrabbler you can hire one at most tool shops shouldnt take you long to remove the paint

[lucius]

You must get the paint off and then prep the surface properly before you start.
Lucius.

[whitebeam]

As everyone else remove paint

[Aztectiler]

What whent down first "MUST COME UP"

Whilst I uderstand that you have not been tiling long. All or most experienced tilers will tell you that a good rule to work to is:

"NEVER EVER" tile onto a painted surface. Always do what you can to remove it before tiling.

As others have said a Scabbler is the esiest way to remove paint from a floor.

PLEASE dont level it or tile it untill the paint has gone.

Good luck and any chance you can take some piccies so we can see the job before and after.

Cheers

[kickkick]

I have a question aswell..

If the garage floor was concreat with a tamped finished done with a scaffolding board and then the floor was painted. Would the Scabbler still be able to take of paint off the concreat dispite the uneven surface?

[Total]

I personally would grind the paint of the concrete, wet or dry - always will be dirty/messy.

Then allow to dry and apply primer and self leveler compound.

After thats dried - tile.

Check that the adhesive is suitable for the weight of cars etc. You might have to use an additive to make the adhesive stronger.

Never be afraid to ask for info, we were all there before.

And remember when doing work for people with the cash - Rich people know rich people.