Finding the correct level

Paul Langham · Post by **Paul Langham** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:08 am

Hi all,

Firstly I would like to say what an informative and helpful forum this is, long may it continue.

I have what is probably a very simple question concerning tiling and it concerns finding the correct level at which to place my tiles.

I have a small apartment. You enter into a hallway about 2m square. Directly infront (through a door so a separate room) comes the kitchen of about 6sqm and to the left comes the living room which is about 30sqm.

The flat was built in 1962, I have ripped up all the old lino and carpet and am now down to the bear concrete floors, throughout th entire flat.. Previously, whilst ripping up I saw that carpet and lino layers had used levelling compound to level up a few areas.

My questions are this:

- How much discrepancy in the floor level is acceptable before I should start to think about using levelling compound, or put another way what is the maximum thickness or amount of tile cement that should be used to compensate for any unevenness in the floor, if I don't want to use levelling compound?

- As I have two rooms off the hall way,kithchen and living room how can I be sure that I am tiling at the correct level ii I start in the hall - I want to tile also in the kitchen albeit with different, but same thickness tiles – and in the living room I will eventually lay some laminate flooring?

Thanks in advance for your help

Paul

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 11:07 pm

Bal PTB can be used between 3-25mm.

Paul Langham · Post by **Paul Langham** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:56 pm

Hi

Ok thanks for this.

Currently I am looking to find the highest and lowest points and see how much this, and then decide if I need levelling compound.

At what point would you say levelling compound is required ?

Rgds

Paul

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:58 pm

Bal Multibase spec sheet

A polymer modified, cement-based, rapid-hardening, water resistant, protein and ammonia free self-smoothing compound for use in interior areas. The product is pumpable and sulphate resistant and can be used to level a variety of bases including concrete, cement:sand screeds, anhydrite screeds, adhesive residues, asphalt, terrazzo and unglazed ceramic tiles. Suitable for use under ceramic tiles, natural stone, sheet and soft floor coverings. Can be used from featheredge up to 5mm and from 5-20mm with the addition of 3mm granite chippings. Will accommodate thermal movement and limited vibration/movement. The compound can take foot traffic after 3 hours. Ceramic tiles can be fixed after 4 hours and soft-floor coverings after 24 hours.

Paul Langham · Post by **Paul Langham** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:42 pm

Hi

Thanks. That should do it

leebwk · Post by **leebwk** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:09 am

Hi Paul,

Personally i would go round the floor with a level and find the high point, you can then work out the maximum thickness of your tile adhesive (at it's lowest point), if you have a large area to tile tile adhesive can workout very expensive and it is sometimes better to level the floor out first with self levelling compound, although take into account doorways and openings.
Hope this helps

Paul Langham · Post by **Paul Langham** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 2:07 pm

Hi,

Thanks for your reply, we found the tiles we wanted now we can move forward with the job.

thx

Paul