I’m getting ready to lay 1″ heaxagonal tiles made of porcelain in a bathroom. Two questions: What size trowel do I use? Why does the manufacturer put a paper backing on the sheets of tile…isn’t the mesh enough to hold them together?
Thanks for your help,
Steve Brooks
Decatur,Ga
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I would start with a 1/4" square notched trowel. Because the tiles are porcelain, make sure you use a polymer-modified thinset specifically approved for porcelain. After beating in a test sheet, pull it off and check for coverage. With tiles that small I would want complete coverage, as the backing can interfere with the adhesion. Small tiles have a tendency to become loose and break even in normal use if there isn't enough thinset coverage. If you don't get enough coverage after this test, switch to a 1/4" x 3/8" trowel. As you go, make sure to clean as much of the thinset out of the grout lines as possible, and it's probably best to use a grout color that's as close to the thinset color as possible.
Andy
Thanks Andy..any trick to cleaning out the thinset as I go? Of course instead of choosing a color that is close...I'm using black grout!! Oh well.
Steve
I usually use a utility knife to scrape it out of there (while still wet) and a barely damp but not dripping sponge to clean up the excess. Alternatively, I've used a tool that's made for popping tile spacers out that is perfect for this task as well. Either way, try not to let globs of thinset harden in the joints, as this can lead to problems with the grout.
In laying tile around the house, I have made sure I had a piece of wood the width of the grout lines present. I would wiggle in the tile and then clean out the grout lines.
This is a personally developed technique from a DIY'er. A professional tile layer may have a better technique.
What color is the tile? Black grout?
White tile..black grout
For floor tiles I use a 10b nail to check spacing if need be.....okk ok sorry.I'm sooo good I dont need no stinking spacers.....lol....but honesty.for floors.a 10 is pretty good and the thing is....you can run the nail through the tiles to clean up the glue....wipe the nail on your jeans and wear the same jeans for each tile job...lol...mine is like an armored suit. Use an eighth inch v notched trowel as long as the tiles arent lug backed....if you wanna spend the extra time back butter the tiles and you'll then be able to sleep at night. Almost a 100% guarentee of adhesion that way. If youre tiling a shopping mall forget that but if its just a medium bath gig......well, cant hurt. Also......a big helpful hint on a semi big thinset job........use a mixer in your "electric" drill. I use a mud mixer. Sure save a lot of time and makes for a better job.
Be well
Namaste'
Andy
It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I tried using my drill and a mixer when I mixed up my first batch of thinset.....man this stuff smells bad........oh that would be my drill smoking!!!!! I've done it by hand since which is ok because I'm doing small batches......I'm SLOW
Thanks,
Steve