tiling novice - needs help

[burt]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting my kitchen done at the moment and need to tile the floor.

I have never tiled before and haven't the foggiest what to do so need all the help i can get.

I've bought the tiles, they're natural slate and not calibrated (if not calibrated means they're all different depths!!).

The floor is concrete, with a fair bit of crap etc from previous tiles/floors. other than that it is pretty level.

I need all the info i can get on what i need for the job - materials, techniques, anything and everything!

Thanks all in advance!!

[GirlRacerRed]

Hi burt

You've come to the right place. You probably won't see many responses from pro tilers on here during the day, so keep posted and people will start to chip in during the evening.

My first tip is to clear the existing concrete floor of the "fair bit of crap" that is already down. You'll need to remove previous adhesives/grouts/tiles/vinyl and anything and everything that will stop you from getting a smooth and flat finish.

Once you've done all that, give it a good sweep to remove any remaining loose particles you can.

Preparation is the key to all great tiling jobs

to the forums

GRR

[CJ CERAMICS]

what GRR says is correct, but if you cant get the floor flat and level you will have to use a slc to create a good tiling surface. you are going to have to open the tiles and sort them into size thickness so that you get the best results when tiling(no toe breaking lippage) materials you will need are a good cementious adhesive designed for laying slate, a wide joint grout non sanded to avoid scratching the tile surface. a natural stone/slate sealer to protect the tiles. if you visit a tile showroom such as tile giant or ctd they will be able to advice you on these products. you will also need a good cutter as slate can be very difficult to cut preferably a wet cutter with a good blade, tile nippers strong enough for slate, spacers pref 4-5mm a couple of good quality sponges (bal or ardex).
having said all of that how big is the floor area? it may be cheaper and alot quicker to find a tiler in your area to price the job for you.

[LM Ceramics]

as cj said not the easiest of jobs to start with if your a novice maybe a good idea to get a pro in. If its not possible then follow the advice given try to seal the tiles first before laying

[Abstract tiling]

wow what a bummer of a job for your first try sounds like it going to need self leveling, maybe this time you should get the pros in pal, also do you have d good wet cutter cos slate is tuff to cut??

[GirlRacerRed]

burt,

let us know where in the world you are... we would hope that we could find you a professional fixer to come round and quote rather than put yourself under pressure to DIY.

saying that, I embarked on a kitchen floor as my (?!) first major project and it didn't turn out so bad after lots of advice from the guys on here.

GRR

[doug boardley]

hi Burt, yes, get all the crap out and old adhesive up, sweep it clean and give the floor a sealing coat of SBR, mixed in a 1:3 ratio with water. Personally I wouldn't bother with the self levelling compound as a flat and even surface is not necessary when using uncalibrated slate. Make sure all the loose shaley slate is removed from your tiles before you start tiling.Use a single part flexible adhesive and a large notched solid bed trowel ,I'd use a 15mm one. As it's your first stone job, I'd be tempted to give the slate a coat of impregnating sealer first, but only on the top surface,(LTP or Lithofin are good brands), this will stop the inevitable adhesive splashes staining your slate and water staining from your wet cutter ( you'll need a wet cutter, a manual cutter wont cut slate, or you could use an angle grinder). Use a modified, flexible grout and try to work cleanly.
Good luck Burt and post us some pics when you've done

[groucho]

when you de flake the tiles use a plastic kitchen tool. not being a cook I dont know what the correct name is. Grade the tiles thin ones for the outside thick for the middle or doorways, defo seal before. back butter every tile. big round notch trowel. decent wet saw. my first ever job was a slate floor. bit daunting but looked good when fin. with all the gear you have to get might pay to get a quote just to see. but just take your time

[doug boardley]

when you de flake the tiles use a plastic kitchen tool. not being a cook I dont know what the correct name is. Grade the tiles thin ones for the outside thick for the middle or doorways, defo seal before. back butter every tile. big round notch trowel. decent wet saw. my first ever job was a slate floor. bit daunting but looked good when fin. with all the gear you have to get might pay to get a quote just to see. but just take your time

spatula?

[Daz]

You've pretty much had all the correct advise to be able to complete a pucker job. The only thing to add is to use a flexible grout too!

Follow the advise, take your time and the job will look great. For the record, I use Lithofin Slate Seal, it really enhances the colour of slate.

[doug boardley]

You've pretty much had all the correct advise to be able to complete a pucker job. The only thing to add is to use a flexible grout too!

Follow the advise, take your time and the job will look great. For the record, I use Lithofin Slate Seal, it really enhances the colour of slate.

second to last sentence on my first post in this thread Daryl

[groucho]

thanks master chef

[doug boardley]

lol, after my escapade with vicar yesterday, I'm Gordon Ramsay

[Daz]

LOL Doug, I missed that bit mate .

I'll get me coat!

[GirlRacerRed]

LOL Doug, I missed that bit mate .

I'll get me coat!

And ya tools Daryl

[d noulton]

I was taught to grade the slate thickest to thinest
start laying with the thickest slate down to thinest creating a gradual fall maybe I have been doing it wrong for the last 11 yrs

[burt]

Hi everyone, thanks loads for all the advice!! I've just run out of money for the job, hence the DIY!!But,I figure that I have to learn sometime, so in for a penny in for a pound.

Have borrowed a wet cutter and bought everything else, so I'm good to go.

Will definitely post a picture if it goes well, if it doesn't then you might not hear from me again :@)

Thanks again for all the advice, I'm off to see if Tiling is a hidden talent!!

[CJ CERAMICS]

burt good luck and remember that patience is a virtue, take your time and you should be fine, if you hit any probs just post and some one will advise.
chris

[burt]

hello everyone,

Quick update, the tiling is going pretty well (touchwood). Managed to lay about 30 now and also cutting the tiles with no major problems.

Soon I'll be on the grouting so here's my next question: As the tiles have a tiny gap next to the skirting, Do I grout between the skirting and the tile or just use a transparent adhesive, which I have been told to use at the end anyway?

Thanks all!

[burt]

sorry - also on another thread it said that it was good to use something which sounded a lot like pavefix (mix between fine sand and cement) for grouting granite. is this right? i've just got unibond 'fast drying grout - for use with slate'

[burt]

ignore the last two posts, i ploughed on ahead...

[Daz]

ignore the last two posts, i ploughed on ahead...

Success? Finished? Pics???

[burt]

ha - no not finished yet!!
very slow and steady

Although have finish a section of it and it looks good. Hopefully you'll all get some pictures by the end of the week!

[365drills]

Hope you managed to take some "Before, During, After" pictures of the job so we can see progress..

Pics like this are useful....