HELP! How do you guys deal with the cement?

[Jaeger_S2k]

So I've finished the utility room floor.

It's OK not fantastic but OK, I'll get some pics later.

This being my first I'm surprised how long it took me but it was good practice for the kitchen.

Some questions (yes more)...

How do you deal with the cement squeezing up between the tiles?

Do you cement the floor or the tiles?

Do you use the spacers at the corners of each tile?

I've got a 20mm oval trowel, is this right, or is there no right answer? just down to preference?

[Rich-Ando]

dunno how the others do it but i always use one fo the spaces to scrape the rapid set out from between the tiles. if you don't it sometimes shows through the grout.

as for the trowel, as far as i knew there was one depth for wall tile adhesive spreading and a deeper one for floor tile adhesive spreading.
as for "oval" dunno m8, only ever used the traditional ones.

some seem to use the spacers at the corners and some in between.

you spread the adhesive on the floor not the tile.

[panlid]

i can only go off how i do it but i normally get a bit coming up if i mix it too wet. getting the right size trowel does help as well. i use the same as you or floors.

[bathstyle]

Always comb the adhesive at a 45 deg angle to the grout joints, don't push down too hard on the tile when bedding down

[panlid]

Always comb the adhesive at a 45 deg angle to the grout joints, don't push down too hard on the tile when bedding down

good tip about the angle

i find it helps if the floor is flat you are laying on. if it is all over the place its hard to get an equal spread meaning some spots are deeper adhesive which may need extra pushing down and like b says, more oozing out.
like everything else the more you do the more you get it right......

until you think youve got it sussed and it ends up all over your hands and clothes

[Only-Me]

I always run a trowel along the edge of a row of tiles that have been laid...........just to remove excess adhesive.

Half moon trowel

cement the floor.....if the floor is crap......back butter the tile as well

spacers...whatevers easier for you.......as longs as they do the job

[Jaeger_S2k]

Thanks guys,
I think my mix was a bit wet, even though I mixed the bag as instructions.
Bal Gold 10kg - 3ltr measured?

Should have ignoreded after first bag, but we do, we learn.

Cement on hands, clothes, tools ehhhhh.

The kitchen will be better, cementing the floor and use the spacers 2 per side ans slot them in, can't use them on the corners, have never done it that way but like you say OM as long as they work.

I'll try the angle to 'b' and a firmer mix should make a big difference.

[gaz]

best way is to butt the tile your laying to the one already down, press down and pull out towards you, that way the addy wont come up through the joints

[Jaeger_S2k]

best way is to butt the tile your laying to the one already down, press down and pull out towards you, that way the addy wont come up through the joints

Hi gaz,
I was doing that as I progressed and it did make a difference, but the mix was definitely too wet.

All these new tips will be employed when I lay the kitchen floor.

Thanks everyone but do keep them coming.

[Fraser]

sorry if I'm hijacking the thread but I'm part way through a bathroom floor and the trowel I'm using is square-notched and small spaces (maybe about 3mm (edit - I think it is actually 6mm) 'cause I use it for walls too).

Is the trowel I'm using not correct?, 20mm u-shaped sounds massive but I don't want the tiles coming unstuck or breaking!! Any advice?

ps I'm laying 200x200mm tiles and I'll be laying 300x300 in my kitchen soon too.