tiling external steps

[jonty]

I'm about to tile an external step the surface of the step will take one and a half tiles, can you tell me does the cut tile go nearest the wall or at the edge? Also do i need to seal the tiles before grouting? thanks

 

[DHTiling]

I would put the cut to the back jonty.....and what tile is it..regarding sealing...

 

[grumpygrouter]

Heres one I did earlier.....as they say.

Grumpy

 

[DEN]

Those are quite thin slivers at the bottom of the steps there grumpy,must of been a right pain that,obviously whoever did the steps overdid the bottom step lol..

 

[grumpygrouter]

You're right Den they were a pain, especially as my little Briccolina and standard blade really had trouble cutting the quarries. There were slivers all down the side as well. Steps were put in by the conservatory builders. They weren't flat or level either and the risers were different heights!

Looks quite nice now they are finished but I was struggling with really cold weather at the time as well. Kept having to pick my days to work.

Customer was pleased though.

Grumpy

 

[DEN]

Yes grumpy a good job i would have been happy with that,how much did you charge for that and how long did it take you altogether? you cant really tell of any discrepancies in the steps.

 

[grumpygrouter]

£262 all in. took about 2 1/2 days all told because of slow speed cutting tiles. Would have been much quicker had I had my Rubi DW 250N at the time but I didn't.

Used Ruabon red tiles and Ardex X7R addy plus Ardex-flex grout, just to pre-empt anyone wanting more info. LOL

Grumps

 

[DHTiling]

Nice job grumps...........

 

[DEN]

Am i right in assuming you used ardex because of the tiles being used outside,and heavy use walking in and out of the house?

 

[grumpygrouter]

Thanks Dave.

Grumps
----

Am i right in assuming you used ardex because of the tiles being used outside,and heavy use walking in and out of the house?

Not really. I used Ardex because I actually had the addy in my garage at the time. Funnily enough, Ruabon recommend the use of Ardex addy and grouts on their literature.

BAL rapidset or other stuff would have done the job just as well. I quite like the Ardex though.

Grumpy

 

[Yorkie]

Hope this works lol

 

[DHTiling]

Hope this works lol

Wots that kenny........:lol:

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hope this works lol

Obviously not.

Grumpy

 

[Yorkie]

:mad2: just been reading tutorial, well better go and read it again I suppose

 

[grumpygrouter]

Still not liking it Kenny. The link doesn't work either.:lol:

Grumpy

 

[DHTiling]

kenny it would be easier to upload to the forums gallery then thumb nail or bbcode it from there.....

 

[Yorkie]

Got there in the end chaps

 

[jonty]

thanks for the replies, Grumpy i hope my steps look as good as yours when i'm finished i'm going for Ruabon tiles too collecting tomorrow but could you help me out with a few questions.

Do i need to allow for an expansion joint on the top step row of tiles or do i need to put an expansion joint in every step? how many mm do you leave? can i put any silicone sealant in the expansion joint or does it need to be external? and what size of spacers did you use?

With these tiles i think i need a sealer is it correct to say i put the sealer on before grouting? thanks

 

[GazTech]

Heres one I did earlier.....as they say.

Grumpy

Thats the first time I have seent that pic Russ, is that the one where I scribbled a mad plan for you to follow ? worked a treat nice job mate....Gaz

 

[grumpygrouter]

Thats the first time I have seent that pic Russ, is that the one where I scribbled a mad plan for you to follow ? worked a treat nice job mate....Gaz

Thats the one Gaz. Glad you like it.

Jonty, assuming that your steps are concrete and it is a small area the expansion on the steps would not be that great to require a movement joint. I didn't have one. Just make sure you use a flexy adhesive and grout.

Ruabon tiles do not require sealing. If you register on the ruabon website , there are a number of useful helpsheets available. It states very clearly that they should not require sealing.

I used 5 mil. spacers but in all honesty the Ruabon tiles are not that consistant in size so use that as a guide only and adjust using eyeball as necessary - Ruabon suggest a minimum of 6mm.

Grumpy

 

[jonty]

thanks for info Grumpy, cheers