Flat Tiles How do i get them.....

[gm renovations]

Hi All

Doing a job today for a plumber, i have flattened the wall where the old adhesive was,

I still have a problem when i fit tiles getting the tile perfectly flat, they always seem to lip at bit,

what should i do, how can i get the tiles flatter????

Also i have to lay slade tiles on the floor they are between 12mm and 15 mm thick, do i lay the thickest first and then pack the other out to try and get them level.

Any advice or how you do it,

Big thanks

Gaz

[grumpygrouter]

I'm afraid that is part of the skill of being a tiler. If you have a tile that is lipping, you need to adjust the thickness of your adhesive bed to bring it level with the next tile. Having a flat surface first always helps.

As for the slate, you will need to grade the slate first into different thicknesses, then remove loose layers then you will need to seal it. It is normal to have the thickest/strongest slate in the main traffic area and have the thinnest/weakest tiles around the perimeter. You will find you will need an adhesive with a thick bed and a soft mix to ensure solid bed fixing. You will also probably need to seal again before grouting, and thereby lies the next issue - cleaning the grout of the slate!

Don't know how long you have been tiling but I would suggest a bit of research through these forums and on the 'net before you take the job on, to ensure you are comfortable with the proceedures.

Grumpy

[gm renovations]

Grumps

Thanks for the reply,

I am new to tiling and just trying to be perfect,

I think i might be pushing the tiles into the wall to much and thats why i am getting some lipping, i will take more time and not press so hard, and build out tiles if needed as i go along. ( Always tiling old walls )

Have done some reasearch on grouting slate, will seal before i lay and be very careful with the grout removing as i go off the tile.

I have sorted out all the thickest tiles, but some of the tiles are 14mm thick at one end and 10mm at the other, just have to take my time.

Does this sound ok


Gaz

[Fekin]

Sounds akward

[grumpygrouter]

Just need to make sure the thinnest ones are used nearest the walls i.e away from heavy traffic. I think the trowel size will be important with such a variation. One part of the adhesive bed will be 4mm thicker than the other with the tiles you mentioned so you will need to be aware of that.

Grumpy

[enduro]

If walls are a bit rough use a 8mm trowel rather than a 6mm trowel, as with the slate i agree with the other posts.

[Tilestiles]

When fixing any tiles, it pays to butt them together (touching) when fixing. This way you avoid lipping plus the other benefit is when you then open them up to take the spacer, your grout line remains clean!!!! Saves lots of time doing it this way as when you come to clean adhesive off the tiles prior to grouting, it doesnt take very long at all particularly if all your grout lines are relatively free from adhesive.

[gm renovations]

Guys

many thanks for all the advice,

Just sH*&Ting it abit and really really want to do the best job,

Will check the walls again in the morning and flatten out more if needed, gonna fix a few tiles at a time to the wall so i can keep checking on the flatness,

Will sort the slade out into thickness piles and seal before laying.

Many thanks agin for the advice,

Sometimes you just need a bit of encouragment and support when you are new.

Gaz

[Dave]

Thats what we are here for gaz mate......good luck and let us know how you get on...

when using uncalibrated slate, (not the same thickness) you can still bed them solid against the wall, leaving the lips in.

after you have fixed the slate tiles and the adhesive has hardened you can "dress" them.....

basically slate is a sedimnentary rock so where you have lips you can split that part of the tile off,you will need a sharp chisel though....

calibrated (even thickness) slate is much easier to work with.
so you should charge more for fixing uncalibrated slate....

uncalibrated slate is cheap.....the labour is more expensive = false econamy