Tiling an outside step with victorian tiles.

[bluevin123]

Hi,
Got to tile my brothers outside front step next week in victorian tiles,weather permitting.
I have been told to work from the centre and go outwards,also the face of the step is crumbling so not sure how to level this out,any further advice on this kind of tiling and the levelling out process would be much appreciated.
Cheers.
Vinnie.IMAG0024.jpg

[grumpygrouter]

You need a FLAT surface for a geometric floor. That step is in really poor condition, are you tiling the face as well? you may be as well to either get it screeded properly or maybe overlay with a backerboard like Hardie Wedi or Marmox, though this will add some height and I am not sure you have enough room at your door threshold....it may look a bit odd with the extra height?

[whitebeam]

I would be hacking off the old tiles and the brick work just incase they start to break away, there is probably an old concrete slab under the tiles..

Render on the edge/front of the step and a self leveling on the surface in front of the door.

[Dave]

IMO.. it isn't suitable to tile too as it is.. a good hard frost will blow them off in no time.. i think it needs to be ripped out and new one cast in place.

[charlie1]

Yeah, its all in the prep work here! Rip it all up and start again!

[Sir Ramic]

IMO.. it isn't suitable to tile too as it is.. a good hard frost will blow them off in no time.. i think it needs to be ripped out and new one cast in place.

Agreed and when you do, set it back so that the finished riser finishes inside the brickwork to allow for thickness of facing tile.

[Sir Ramic]

Oh and sort the weed problem out once and for all.

[Rich]

I think you will prob spend more time trying to make that a suitable surface to tile, then it would take to rip out and redo.

[bluevin123]

Lol, weeds sorted..

[bluevin123]

ok,cheers guys for that,steps all sorted in preperation..screwed and bedded backerboard down with flexi addy on the top and face of step last week.
Now rock solid and flat.

My next question is, do I butt them up or leave a very small grout line say 1mm all around each tile?
Also shall I use a mosaic trowel or a 6mm trowel?
Hope you can advise,
Cheers.
Vinnie.

[whitebeam]

Did'nt think backerboard was for external fixing.

[TF Ed]

2mm grout joint, i use a 4.5mm rubi trowel.

[Dave]

ok,cheers guys for that,steps all sorted in preperation..screwed and bedded backerboard down with flexi addy on the top and face of step last week.
Now rock solid and flat.

My next question is, do I butt them up or leave a very small grout line say 1mm all around each tile?
Also shall I use a mosaic trowel or a 6mm trowel?
Hope you can advise,
Cheers.
Vinnie.

So you left the steps as they were..? and which backerboard.?

[bluevin123]

Yeah, spoke with me Brother and his Wife,showed them the forums answers, they didnt really want step knocked out so they agreed on using the hardiebacker board as was recommended by 3 tile shops,all who said it was suitable for outdoor use.
So it sure looks ok,just hope it remains that way.
Cheers.
Vinnie.

[garythetiler]

hardie dont garantee their backer board for outside use, hardie backer retains a lot of moisture when used outside which will mean a failure due to frost damage

[Dave]

As above, Hardi is not suitable for exterior use vinnie..