ply question !! - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

terry the tiler · 08-07-2009

just a quick question ! wot would you guys do if you arrived to price a floor job and it had recently been plyed with lets say 6mm ply ?

smurf21 · 08-07-2009

tell them its not good enough for floor tiling it has to be 18mm ply or they can take it up and use 6mm tile backer board but not 6mm ply

**doug boardley** · 08-07-2009

same as smurf for me Tel

**diamondtiling** · 08-07-2009

Explain to the customer that it really is not an adequate surface to tile on and why, explain the benefits of no more ply, ask what is underneath the ply, tell them that if the surface is not of sufficent strength and holding power then it will affect the integrity of any tiles that will be put onto it, do they want future problems? If they are after a top class floor then they will listen to you and accept your proposals.

**grumpygrouter** · 08-07-2009

i'd tell them it is worse than straight on to chipboard and explain why and then suggest the benfits of backerboard or correct size ply.

uptonboy · 08-07-2009

got to explain reasons and get it up, then strengthen with the or correct gear

CBTC · 08-07-2009

At pricing stage tell them it's not enough. If it comes to it and I'm not suggesting its what to do nowadays, or to the standards, but when I started with my 1st boss, his method was to fit 6mm ply over boards (we did the work to sure boards were sound, all fixed down,and not deflecting) and he'd have me put a ton of 3/4" ring shanks in. Then we'd tile. Rarely went wrong actually, and did my first home job in this way long ago. Stayed good for years. At a push, if no budget to change, and the strength is there in the subfloor, its domestic - and you actually want to do the job - suggest you beef up the fixings to a 75 mm grid and use Ditra.

**doug boardley** · 08-07-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBTC

At pricing stage tell them it's not enough. If it comes to it and I'm not suggesting its what to do nowadays, or to the standards, but when I started with my 1st boss, his method was to fit 6mm ply over boards (we did the work to sure boards were sound, all fixed down,and not deflecting) and he'd have me put a ton of 3/4" ring shanks in. Then we'd tile. Rarely went wrong actually, and did my first home job in this way long ago. Stayed good for years. At a push, if no budget to change, and the strength is there in the subfloor, its domestic - and you actually want to do the job - suggest you beef up the fixings to a 75 mm grid and use Ditra.

but ditra will only be good for lateral movement, not vertical "bounce" that you'll get with 6mm ply

CBTC · 09-07-2009

Yes, sure - you note all my caveats - I wouldnt start from here, as they say