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Discuss Pietra Serena Sandstone 800x800mm help in the Specialist Tile -Stone, Porcelain, Glass area at TilersForums. USA and UK Tiling Forum

S

Stuart_AC

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Hi All..

This is my first post here – I usually lurk around and find this site very useful for general info. I’m looking for some product advice (and general advice) for a tile job I’m doing at my house.

Details
Floor Area - 145m2
Tile - 800x800x20mm Pietra Serena Sandstone in light grey
Substrate – 12 month old concrete slab, no underfloor heating, level to about 4mm across it’s entire length. Slab has been wet vacuumed so is generally dust free.

I plan on laying the tiles in accordance with this video


1. Lay tiles with Mapei Elastorapid https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ with 10mm notch trowel and back butter entire tile. I'm not planning to use a primer as the slab is as dust free as you can get in a new build. Mapei say that it's not required with their product.
2. Seal with pre-treatment Fila PRW200
3. Grout with Mapei Keracolour 113GG
4. Clean with Fila Cleaner
5. Grease resistant treatment with W68 Fila Jet Matt Satin

Questions
1. Has anyone used a cheaper fast drying https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ product that is compatible with sandstone? The Mapei stuff seems to be very expensive.
2. Same with grout – anyone used a more cost effective grout that can be used with sandstone?
3. Am I using the correct trowel notch?
4. The vast majority of the cut tiles will be hidden under the skirting. I don’t have a tile cutter and a decent bridge saw for 800mm tiles looks like it will be £800 odd quid. Could I get away with a handheld saw with a guide rail? Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks for your help in advance.
Stuart
 
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S

Stuart_AC

Forgot to mention - I was looking to use spacers with the levelling wedges. Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent product. I worry that some versions might snap off with having to lift such a heavy tile.
Cheers,
Stuart
 
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T

Time's Ran Out

Stuart - 145 sq mts of 20mm 800x800mm stone!
I'am sure there are threads in the search and other members who will provide ongoing input, however I personally don't believe this is a DIY project and therefore cannot help in your request.
I wonder if there is a member near you who could provide an advisory role for a nominal cost to stage visit and provide ongoing support.
Good luck.
 
OP
S

Stuart_AC

Thanks John,
It’s a big project indeed but I’m confident of getting a decent result with a bit of good advice. I’ve built this house from scratch and managed just fine till now. I’ve had a search on the threads and can’t find anything specific to this type of stone so thought it best to start a new thread.

I’m an architect but can also turn my hand to nearly all trades with results that are consistently neater and to the book than the trades I occasionally employ to give me a hand (albeit I take longer). Your advice about getting someone experienced in on a day rate for advice and some ad-hoc help is good and something that I occasionally do – if anyone is near Glasgow then I’d be keen to discuss. I don’t have any problems with the procedural side of things or even the practical when I get going – just looking for some opinions on products and tips and tricks if anyone has some experience with this sort of tile.

I’m aware of several other products that claim to do the same thing as the Mapei range. I’ve used Mapei before so know its characteristics but would like to source a more cost effective product so want to hear about peoples experience of other products. I’m speaking to ProRapid and a couple of others but am open to suggestions.

Cheers,
Stuart
 
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S

Stuart_AC

Thought a picture or two of the space might add some interest to the thread

20170409_165115.jpg 20170409_163748.jpg 20170318_112543.jpg
 
OP
D

Dumbo

I would use a primer for the cost of it what harm can it do compared to the risk of failure . Also large format trowel for that size tile . Lithofin sealing products I find are more user friendly than fila .
Quality hand held grinder with quality blade should cut them although you may need more than one blade . But as timeless John says not really a day job
 
OP
S

Stuart_AC

Thanks for the tips. I've used Fila before so was quite confident with it so purchased it a while ago. Maybe have a look at Lithofin next time.

I'm seeing some decent prices for the Proflex SP Rapid https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/. After speaking to their rep they do recommend a primer. I'll always do what the manufacturer suggests so if I go with them I'll use the primer. Can any of you vouch for the Proflex products on natural stone?
 
OP
T

Time's Ran Out

Stuart - ok you sound confident and even though your an Architect; 2nd to engineers on the list of 'clients to avoid'
but we'll do what we can!
https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ and cost - look for the Tilemaster range or if you are near Ctd Glasgow they are competitive.
John.
 
OP
S

Stuart_AC

Thanks John, I'll have a look today.

I can be a nightmare client as I can hang around observing a bit too much. Not just because I like to keep an eye on things but mostly because I like to get stuck in and want to learn the tips and tricks of each trade. I find that spending a lot of times with trades and taking part really helps with my job. I'll let you know how I get on
 
OP
D

Dumbo

Thanks for the tips. I've used Fila before so was quite confident with it so purchased it a while ago. Maybe have a look at Lithofin next time.

I'm seeing some decent prices for the Proflex SP Rapid https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/. After speaking to their rep they do recommend a primer. I'll always do what the manufacturer suggests so if I go with them I'll use the primer. Can any of you vouch for the Proflex products on natural stone?
Not required and do not use are to different things when doing as a manufacturer says
 
OP
I

Italy

images

upload_2017-4-20_17-31-53.jpeg

pietra serena, here,little useless, for flooring. (Tuscan stone).
just some stairs, or window sills, because it is combined with the oldest areas of the country.
Soft material, very absorbent, quick https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ is better, less risk of stains. Just a damp wall and the stone absorbs and crumbles. Just to make an example, it's "tough" like carrara marble.
I saw a bunch of jobs, ruined by humidity.
Sorry if I speak to you clearly and say what I see here ..
Sorry again and you hope to succeed in the work.
 
OP
I

Italy

images

View attachment 89781
pietra serena, here,little useless, for flooring. (Tuscan stone).
just some stairs, or window sills, because it is combined with the oldest areas of the country.
Soft material, very absorbent, quick https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ is better, less risk of stains. Just a damp wall and the stone absorbs and crumbles. Just to make an example, it's "tough" like carrara marble.
I saw a bunch of jobs, ruined by humidity.
Sorry if I speak to you clearly and say what I see here ..
Sorry again and you hope to succeed in the work.
sorry, little used , google translate Capricious today ;)
 
OP
S

Stuart_AC

Thanks Antonio,

I’m aware of the difficulties using this product here. Thankfully my project is a very dry new build.

I’m most worried about staining due to using the wrong https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/. I understand that if the https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ is too moist and slower setting then it can wet the stone and cause it to damp stain or effloresce in the worst case. Also sealing the tile too quickly after using a moist https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ can lock in the moisture causing issues with the finish. For this reason I plan to use a fast set https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/.

Other problems can be caused by grouting. I’ve seen jobs that look like they have wet edges only to discover that the installer hasn’t spread the grout over the entire tile. What I was seeing was staining which can be partially resolved by cleaning intensively but will never quite disappear unless the entire tile is slightly stained by applying grout over the entire face.

Thanks for your kind wishes – I hope I succeed too as they were quite expensive to buy (although I got a good deal as I went direct to the quarry in Italy to cut out the middle man)
 
OP
I

Italy

Thanks Antonio,

I’m aware of the difficulties using this product here. Thankfully my project is a very dry new build.

I’m most worried about staining due to using the wrong https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/. I understand that if the https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ is too moist and slower setting then it can wet the stone and cause it to damp stain or effloresce in the worst case. Also sealing the tile too quickly after using a moist https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ can lock in the moisture causing issues with the finish. For this reason I plan to use a fast set https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/.

Other problems can be caused by grouting. I’ve seen jobs that look like they have wet edges only to discover that the installer hasn’t spread the grout over the entire tile. What I was seeing was staining which can be partially resolved by cleaning intensively but will never quite disappear unless the entire tile is slightly stained by applying grout over the entire face.

Thanks for your kind wishes – I hope I succeed too as they were quite expensive to buy (although I got a good deal as I went direct to the quarry in Italy to cut out the middle man)
Definitely fast https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/.
 
OP
J

J Sid

evening Stuart
a big project to take on , but good luck to you and we are here to help if we can.

first, setting out is you first challenge. Take your time and double check.

for a project that size buy a wet cutter and a good blade. I sure it will come in handy for bathroom etc. As well. Can always sell it on eBay when job is complete.

When working with stone I can't stress enough how important it is to understand the products you will be using.

has you stone supplier specified what https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/ they recommend? Have you asked? If not talk to Tilemaster, Weber, Ardex or Bal technical for there advise and they will give you a method statement for fix the stone and your substrate with there product.

work CLEAN and use the correct cleaning products for the stone. I always use Lithofin but you have chosen Fila so talk to them. Again they will give you a complete method statement from cleaning to sealing and maintenance for this stone.
On here we have Lithofin Bob as the turn to man / font if all knowledge when it comes to advise. Ask nicely and he could help.

With all stone the correct drying times are important before attempting to seal, and from what I've see of this stone it can take a long time to dry enough to be ready for sealing.

Get some emails sent.
Don't rely on YouTube videos, the one you posted is probably sponsored by Mapei, directly or indirectly to sell the https://www.tilersforums.com/forums/tile-adhesive/. A very pricey one at that.
 

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