First time at floor tiling!!

ross1562 · Post by **ross1562** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:45 am

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of redecorating my downstairs loo and will be putting slate floor tiling down. I have currently taken the skirting boards off and pulled up the old laminate flooring which has revealed the concrete floor.

As a first timer i apologise, but i need advice on prepping the floor, sealing the floor against damp (Is this actually needed?) and also maybe some advice on levelling it, although it does seem pretty level at the mo?

Cheers,

Ross.

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:36 am

give the floor a good clean..brush/hoover...any dips in floor if not to big infill with a rapidset floor addy...if really bad use a 2part latex.

prime floor with sbr proir to tiling then when dry tile away.

work clean with slate check the sizes and thickness of ur slate if uncallabrated slate, thick pieces in centre of room thinner on outer

if ur first time with slate u may want to seal proir to fixing..wear gloves so u dont leave ur fingerprints on the slate.
seal again before grout then again after.

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 7:38 am

sorry bagged addy as well an a grout siutable for slate.

ross1562 · Post by **ross1562** » Fri Oct 09, 2009 12:16 pm

Cheers Tictac,

I have had a look at that SBR Bonding additive.

Can i apply that straight to the concrete floor?
Then level with something appropriate, then tile?

Is that the right order?

Cheers,

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:56 pm

yes give floor a brush over then apply sbr with roller up room then when dry across the room "full coverage" this way .

then apply slc if needed.
if floor not to bad just use a halfmoon notched trowel instead of slc.this should help take any dips up to about 5mm just lift a tile now an again and look to see how ur coverage with addy is or once u have serated the floor you could just back butter the tiles as well ..

ross1562 · Post by **ross1562** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:07 pm

Tictac,

Sorry, what is Slc?

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:23 pm

Self Leveling Compound...or its called latex, u can also get ones that are water based i tend to stick "pardon the pun ther" to the latex one...

the latex one comes with a bag of compound 20/25kg and a 5ltr tub of liquid latex and u just mix it altogether if ur first time just use about quarter of bag an quarter of liqiud.
pour a line of the compound across any threholds "dry".
then use a "bead" spirit level an find high spot on floor an pour mix from ere then gently trowel it .

bit "smelly" so open windows wife an kids out the house or they will think u hav wet urself best of

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:26 pm

ross

how bad is the floor? for uneveness?

ross1562 · Post by **ross1562** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:45 pm

Tictac,

It is actually very even buddy. My mate has said i could probably get away without SLC but i wanted to ask the advice of you pro's.

I was more after just confirming whether i needed to seal the floor and i think i will with SBR on your advice.

I will then tile straight over that.

Cheers,

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:41 pm

cool ross

just seal floor with bal sbr up the room then when dry across the room this way u will get full coverage,ratio for mix will be on label.

use a halfmoon notched trowel and u may want to back butter tiles as well, for full coverage.
work clean at all times..bucket of clean water an sponge wipe all tiles as u go.

best of bud
tictic

tictic · Post by **tictic** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 11:01 pm

just take ur time it aint a race mate....an it will look the dogs dangles

ross1562 · Post by **ross1562** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 1:22 am

Spot on Tictac, got there in the end but greatly appreciate your help.