Help!: 60x40x12 Travertine tiles

[Welltester 1973]

Hello Everybody

Going to tile my bathroom with 60x40x12 travertine honed&filled tiles.This is my first large tiling job on my own.Bought Bal rapid set flexible white adhesive for the walls and Bal PTB flexible white for the floor because i want to install My Heat underfloor heating mat into the adhesive.I have a few questions and would be greatful if anyone could give me some advice.

1.
When i apply a 10mm layer of PTB over the heating mat is it better to use a rubber backed trowel/grout float,then do you carefully use a 10mm round notched trowel to comb the adhesive to take the tiles???
Whats the best method???

2.
Is there going to be to much weight per sq m on the walls of these travertine tiles for the adhesive.They are going onto a plaster/18mm ext ply primed with 2 coats of Bal SBR???

3.
Which notched trowel is best for the walls using Bal rapid set flexible adhesive???

If anybody has any other tips i would be glad to hear them.

Cheers.

[kilty55]

hi mate,,the best way for your floor would be to lay self levelling compound screed over the mat 1st before laying the tiles. also is your walls plaster skimmed if so the recommended weight limit is 20 k per sq metre and i think your trav and adhesive/grout will definately exceed that im afraisd,

[Welltester 1973]

So lay self leveller and then 3mm adhesive layer?i have got a height problem on the floor so i was hoping to do it in one go.I know its a bit risky putting that size tile on a skimmed wall but bought all the stuff now!Had my en-suite tiled in the same about 18 months ago and tiles are still fixed ok,but know what your talking about with the weight!

[kilty55]

hi again,no it would be a layer of slc(flexible) and then as norm with 10mm notched trowel..you can do it with adhesive only if you want but i always try and use slc..you can buy plastic 10mm trowels if it makes you feel safer as not to damage the wires using metal trowel for floor. sure its really up to you if you want to take the risk of putting those tiles up i can only advise you on whats meant to be done,i would also use minimum 8mm or 10mm trowel for walls also since tiles are large and heavy prob best with 10mm

[Welltester 1973]

Cheers mate you have given me a few things to think about!
Thanks for your help.

[kilty55]

no probs

[Swanseajack]

If you do not have much experience in Large tile fixing/stone, I would use slow setting adhesive instead of rapid setting for the walls. If the weather is warm, you will mixing every 20mins or so. Your supplier should swap bags over. 10mm trowel for me.

[Welltester 1973]

Cheers mate,got a vitrex pro adhesive trowel,its got 20mm wide round notchX9mm deep.Is this ok for the wall adhesive.When you lads talk about 6-8-10mm notch trowels are you talking about how deep the notch is or the width?

[martin & brock]

agreed prob best to stay clear of the fast set,better using single part or something along they lines,remember all cut have to be wet cut and remember to seal