Coverage

[jimbob]

Hi,

We've all heard the advice "lift a tile up every so often to check your getting the right coverage".

Trouble is for the novice, how to know if what they see when they lift the tiles up is correct!

With this in mind, I had a little practice with 450mm square floor tiles on some hardiebacker.......(sad, ain't it?!)

From the pics, does it look like I was getting sufficient coverage for solid bed fixing?? Which if any seems the best? (Personally I think 3rd picture is best but even then it doesn't look like 100% coverage on back of tile..) I didn't twist the tiles at all, just laid one edge into the adhesive and then dropped from about 2 inches, then placed both hands on the tile and exerted some pressure to bed it in. (Trowel used - 10mm U shaped)

Cheers
Jimbob

[Fekin]

As you are placing the tile down, wiggle the tile slightly side to side and this will help the tile bed into the adhesive better.

[jay]

hi jimbob we did get bored today// first pic no secondpic no third pic close forth pic run out of tiles????? try the twist it helps also try to spread glue in strait lines to keep it even

[jimbob]

hi jimbob we did get bored today// first pic no secondpic no third pic close forth pic run out of tiles????? try the twist it helps also try to spread glue in strait lines to keep it even

Just threw that photo in to show how I was spreading my adhesive.

A little wiggle and twist it is then, cheers guys!

[Dave]

Because the tile has quite a profile on the back, try using the flat side of your trowel and burn in the back of the tile with adhesive and then place down into the adhesive bed....try that and come back with another pic...you will be amazed at the coverage then...trust me..

[GirlRacerRed]

didn't realise you were this bored jimbob

[jimbob]

didn't realise you were this bored jimbob

I did it on Sunday afternoon, just after the mother in law arrived for tea.....!

Will have another go this weekend with a bit of back skimming combined with the twist, cheers for advice

[GirlRacerRed]

I did it on Sunday afternoon, just after the mother in law arrived for tea.....!

Will have another go this weekend with a bit of back skimming combined with the twist, cheers for advice

careful you don't hurt yourself

[Rad2474]

I reckon the guy holding the tile could do with some coverage,like a mask.

[heavytrevy]

Correct way to get complete coverage ,
Slide ur tile opposite to the direction u have troweled.

Trev

[jimbob]

Had another go at this today - unfortunately it started peeing it down about 10mins after I started so didn't have time to get pictures. From the couple of tiles I did though, even with back skimming and twisting/sliding, it didn't seem to be getting 100% coverage - tile still seemed to be sitting on top of the adhesive lines rather too much. I'm wondering if my adhesive is a little too stiff?? Either that or I need to jump up and down on the tile to bed it in?!

I have attached a pic of the mix, although it is hard to tell from it I know, but it seems creamy enough, and when I tilt the bucket trowel it slops off slowly, kind of like a Mr Whippy ice cream but a bit stiffer......

[Dave]

Adhesive is spot on.....maybe you need to up your trowel depth so the ribs collapse enough to create the solid bed....you can also use a U notch slid bed trowel.

[jimbob]

Cheers Dave. I was using a 10mm solid bed trowel!
I don't suppose anyone has any pics of the back of a tile so I can see how it should look? I expect to see the tile completely covered in adhesive when I lift it but I can still see definite ribs of adhesive across it instead, same with the floor. It's doing my nut! (Not to mention costing me a fortune in Keraflex!)

[david campbell]

personally i think you should find a hobby..............lol

[jimbob]

personally i think you should find a hobby..............lol

I've got one - tiling!!

[Dave]

Cheers Dave. I was using a 10mm solid bed trowel!
I don't suppose anyone has any pics of the back of a tile so I can see how it should look? I expect to see the tile completely covered in adhesive when I lift it but I can still see definite ribs of adhesive across it instead, same with the floor. It's doing my nut! (Not to mention costing me a fortune in Keraflex!)

Google Image Result for http://www.chapmantile.com/images/howTo/floor/03Hrj61998.jpg

[jimbob]

Cheers Dave