Lippage!

[PJ Tiling]

Hi guys

I've done a few floor jobs now, and I've noticed with the last 2 especially that I'm suffering from lippage! I've taken every care when laying to make sure theres no lip but there always ends up 1 or 2 edges.

The customers have always been happy with the job, but I've noticed it and being the OCD freak I am it gives me a few sleepless nights!

What am I doing wrong? Is it bad trowling, or does it just come with practice?

[Daz]

How bad is the lippage?

It could be that your substrate is not prepared sufficiently.
Maybe you just need to take more time when bedding the tiles.
What size trowel do you use, maybe use a larger notch?

Practice and experience will help you improve.
At least you are concerned enough to believe that you can do better, so always take your time and if you have to lift a tile to correct the way it sits, then so be it.

[mikethetile]

you can sometimes get sudden slump , it takes practise but keep a constant angle when serrating

[PJ Tiling]

It's not a massive lip, around 1mm maybe a touch more.

I always use a 12mm notched trowel

[Daz]

Always keep a decent straight edge (preferably at least 2m long if there is enough floor space) over your tiles so that you can constantly check for problems as you go, too.

[david campbell]

are you back buttering the larger floor tiles?

[PJ Tiling]

are you back buttering the larger floor tiles?

No, trowel down the bed of addy first

[Tecnik2000]

Just a thought..But you know there are often rogue tiles that cannot be laid perfectly however hard you endeavour, apart from size difference you'll get the odd winder... Don't take the blame unless it's you at fault ...Sounds like you did the best to me

[andy allen]

you need to get used to feeling the tiles for any lippys
when you lay a tile rub a couple of fingers over the joints and get used to feeling any lipping tiles, you can give them a tap with a rubber mallet this can sometimes sort it.
if when you have finished tileing you notice any lipping better to sort it there and then while the adhesive is still green, plus you can sleep at night noing you have done a good job

[garretridge]

dont worry to much 1mm is fine ocasionally some tiles are not flat no matter what why you lay them there can be lippage keep up the good work!

[Dave]

Another thought is the choice of adhesive and bed depth..

If the adhesive is bedded down but still thicker than the normal standard of 6mm and it is slightly to wet in can slump/shrink as it dries as mentioned above..

So always make sure the adhesive is capable of the choice of bed depth and not mixing to sloppy.. if that is ok them it can just be the odd warped tile.

[PJ Tiling]

Thanks guys loads of nice little tips to look out for

[jamie B]

Anyone know the British Standards advice on the subject?? Dave?..be interesting to know..

[Dave]

2mm if i recall correct.. on a 5mm joint width.. less if the joints are smaller.

[pjc]

some tiles ie large format if you push to hard on a corner they can bend and ping up later :Pete where are you from PJ ?

[garythetiler]

the british standard is it cant exceed 1mm with joints of 5mm of less, 2mm with joints of 6mm and above

[Dave]

the british standard is it cant exceed 1mm with joints of 5mm of less, 2mm with joints of 6mm and above

I was close.. i have the bs's on my desk but didn't check the clause....

[Scott]

I think as long as they are less than this you should be ok

[timeless john]

I'd be with Daves post with the adhesive and I'd suggest a faster setting adhesive.