Uneven Walls+Bathroom Tile=Big Mess
#1
01-17-08, 09:35 AM
Uneven Walls+Bathroom Tile=Big Mess
[FNT="Fixedsys"]
My boyfriend is tiling a very small bathroom in my house, he's a building designer, and in the process of he has run into a huge problem. We felt by putting down a diamond pattern into the floor we could hide the uneven walls. It didn't turn out as clean as desired cause the lines are way off... Can anyone recommend the best solution to a small bathroom with uneven walls when it comes to tiling? A pattern? size of tile? Any tricks to the trade? I'm willing to learn!!!! ALL ears for suggestions!!!!
Thanks,
Big Time Overwhelmed
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My boyfriend is tiling a very small bathroom in my house, he's a building designer, and in the process of he has run into a huge problem. We felt by putting down a diamond pattern into the floor we could hide the uneven walls. It didn't turn out as clean as desired cause the lines are way off... Can anyone recommend the best solution to a small bathroom with uneven walls when it comes to tiling? A pattern? size of tile? Any tricks to the trade? I'm willing to learn!!!! ALL ears for suggestions!!!!
Thanks,
Big Time Overwhelmed
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#2
01-17-08, 11:10 AM
Member
You do not say if the floor was flat or not. Floor needs to be flat. If installing on concrete slab, you do not need concrete underlayment board, but high spots can be ground and low spots filled with the self-leveling compound before installing tile.
If walls are wavy, which may result in uneven expansion gap between tile and wall, the gap can be sealed with flexible silicone caulk and gap covered with baseboard.
If walls are out of square, measure to find center of the two opposite walls. Use these points to snap a chalk line across the length of the room in the center of the floor, This will divide the room in half. Then snap another chalk line perpendicular to the first so the two lines cross in the center of the room. Confirm with carpenter's square where lines cross to make sure the center point is square. Dry fit tiles, leaving space for grout line. You can purchase spacers to make sure grout lines are straight and even. This will give you an idea of how to make the fewest cuts as possible and give you an opportunity to make adjustments to your design. Keep in mind the need for expansion gap along the wall. Expansion gap is covered with baseboard.
If walls are wavy, which may result in uneven expansion gap between tile and wall, the gap can be sealed with flexible silicone caulk and gap covered with baseboard.
If walls are out of square, measure to find center of the two opposite walls. Use these points to snap a chalk line across the length of the room in the center of the floor, This will divide the room in half. Then snap another chalk line perpendicular to the first so the two lines cross in the center of the room. Confirm with carpenter's square where lines cross to make sure the center point is square. Dry fit tiles, leaving space for grout line. You can purchase spacers to make sure grout lines are straight and even. This will give you an idea of how to make the fewest cuts as possible and give you an opportunity to make adjustments to your design. Keep in mind the need for expansion gap along the wall. Expansion gap is covered with baseboard.
Last edited by HotxxxxxxxOKC; 01-19-08 at 09:48 AM. Reason: Removed ill-advised info
#3
01-17-08, 12:03 PM
Floor is level - Walls are not
The floor is not the issue at hand.... we have floor leveler but it was not needed in the room. It is on a cement slab. The only issue is that the walls are not even... I like the idea of using the chalk line. The walls are bowed in on certain sides, there are not straight edges on the walls. Is there a way we can correct that on the floor using something so that when we lay the tile it will come out looking even? Just laying the tiles out on a dry run in this case doesn't work.... Will using the chalk line work?
#4
01-17-08, 12:29 PM
Member
Using the chalk line will allow you to chalk the center of the floor and to use it as a guide. Don't focus on the bowed walls until you get to the row of tile next to the wall. Tiles along walls will be cut at different sizes to accommodate the 'bows.' It is not uncommon to find rooms that are out of square or that are wavy or bowed. The row of tile is cut to accommodate the imperfections and tend not to be noticeable. Diamond pattern helps camouflage the fact that walls are not square and may be bowed. The eyes will be focusing on the pattern and not along the walls. Such a trick is used when laying hardwood floors by installing boards on the diagonal.
#5
01-17-08, 12:50 PM
Thank You!!!
We will try that over the weekend!!! Thank you so much for your help! Do you feel in a bathroom that including the toliet and sink area is 10 x 10 that using 12 x 12 tiles or 6 x 6 tiles with the diamond pattern/chalking would be the easiest to work with? Thank You so much for your help! *SMILE*
#6
01-19-08, 06:41 AM
The only real way to hide it is to fix the walls. You will not get a diamond pattern set on a bowed wall to ride over the bow without some nasty lippage. Straight lay, usually, running bond (brick pattern) sometimes but diagonal will give you all the headaches you are trying to avoid.
Oh, and to correct misinformation from the first response, you use leveling products over the cement board, never under.
Oh, and to correct misinformation from the first response, you use leveling products over the cement board, never under.
