trowel sizefor 13" tile. and tape made speed bumps......
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trowel sizefor 13" tile. and tape made speed bumps......
I am installing 13" tile by my back door. I installed the hardi and taped. Now I think that if I use a 3/8 trowel, my door may not open! Could I get away with a 3/16?? I think where I went wrong was putting 1/4 under the backer but I had to fill in gaps on a rough sub. I would like to use 3/16. if not, will 1/4 work? Anything bigger will cause door clearance problems. My brother-in-law said I could get away with a thinner bed if I use mastic...any thoughts??
Also, the tape made some speed bumps on the backer. Is this okay or should I sand down? It is thin now....I can see the tape.
Also, the tape made some speed bumps on the backer. Is this okay or should I sand down? It is thin now....I can see the tape.
Last edited by Djsrcy; 07-03-11 at 11:17 AM.
#2
Before you put down your tile, I'd remove the 1/4" from under the backer and reset the backer. I really don't think the 1/4" is helping that much. The backer will provide a smooth surface over the rough sub, once you apply your thinset to the sub.
#3
I have never taped the seams on backerboard on the floor. I know it's recommended but unless the seam falls directly under a tile space I don't see what it accomplishes.
But then, I don't understand why CBU needs to be bedded in thinset. It's screwed to the subfloor with a jillion screws
But then, I don't understand why CBU needs to be bedded in thinset. It's screwed to the subfloor with a jillion screws

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Also, the tape made some speed bumps on the backer. Is this okay or should I sand down? It is thin now....I can see the tape.
Now I think that if I use a 3/8 trowel, my door may not open! Could I get away with a 3/16??
My brother-in-law said I could get away with a thinner bed if I use mastic...any thoughts??

* Chandler, I think DJ didn't mean he installed 1/4" board under the cbu, he used a 1/4x1/4" trowel to spread the thin set under the cbu.
Wayne Mitchell
I have never taped the seams on backerboard on the floor. I know it's recommended but unless the seam falls directly under a tile space I don't see what it accomplishes.
But then, I don't understand why CBU needs to be bedded in thinset. It's screwed to the subfloor with a jillion screws
I have never taped the seams on backerboard on the floor. I know it's recommended but unless the seam falls directly under a tile space I don't see what it accomplishes.
But then, I don't understand why CBU needs to be bedded in thinset. It's screwed to the subfloor with a jillion screws
Jaz