Tiling Question

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03-25-17, 10:26 AM

jvannice

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Tiling Question

I am a DIY guy who over the years has done a bit of everything including tiling floors and walls. My current project is the remodel of our master bathroom and my request is related to tiling the new shower. I am installing 10x14 ceramic tile on the walls and I noticed that one of the tiles on the edge was out of alignment and decided to remove it and install a new tile. After removal, I noticed that there was little thinset attached to the tile. I decided to remove the one next to it and so on and so on until I had removed all of the twenty one tiles on the wall. Only one tile had a significant amount of thinset on it. I used hardie board and versabond modified thinset, a ¼ x ¼ x ¼ trowel as recommended by the tile manufacturer and 1/16 tile leveling clip. I did not back butter the tiles.

I have a suspicion as to the root of the problem, but would like opinions before I proceed.

I am considering just removing the backer board and starting over rather than dealing with the removal of the existing thinset.

I have included some pics.
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Thanks for the help.

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03-25-17, 11:42 AM

Marq1

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Tiles that big need back buttering, actually I do that for almost all my tile work now. It really makes a difference to get a good coating on both surfaces so that the tiles securely adhere to the wall.

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03-25-17, 02:18 PM

HeresJohnny

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A couple of things here. Yes you definitely have to back butter the tile. You should be "sliding" the tile into place, collapsing the thin set ridges. Doesn't look like you did that. You probably also need a larger trowel. 1/4" is a little light for that size tile. You should periodically check coverage by removing a tile every so often to check coverage. You should have 95% coverage in a wet area.

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03-25-17, 04:37 PM

jvannice

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Thank you for your responses

Thank you for your responses

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03-25-17, 04:48 PM

czizzi

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Tile that large requires a super flat wall or you will have gaps. Have you checked your flatness with a long straight edge?

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Wall and Flooring Indoor Tiling

Tiling over existing thinset

J

JHunt3472 on Mar 21, 2017

I am replacing the tile in my kitchen and am wondering if I can smooth the existing thinset rather than scrape it down, then add the new thin set and tile over that. My house 30 years and is over a basement. I think the tile is 12-15 years old and previously the house probably had vinyl flooring. My current subfloor has to layers of 3/4" plywoood with cement board installed with thinset and nails. I am using a hammerdrill to remove the tile. I tried to remove a section of the cement board but it was very difficult. I tried to scrape or smooth the thinset down to the cement board with the hammerdrill and hand scraper, but dug into some of the cement board. Both were difficult time consuming. Both the cement board and thinset seem pretty solid. As I don't want continue to damage anything else. Can I smooth over the existing thinset with floor leveler or new thinset, then add the new layer of thinset and tile? My newtile will be 12x24. I also have a few low spots I will need to level out anyway.
Wall and Flooring Indoor Tiling

Tiling existing into addition - need an opinion, please

R

rm2000 on Mar 24, 2017

Hello. We are putting a new addition on and there was a bit (1/4") of a step from the existing interior down into the new space. I laid the cement board and was able to remove the “step” from the old to the new. Here is the overview: [URL="https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9Sanrh7wOtWWMVWh"]https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9Sanrh7wOtWWMVWh[/URL] As you can see in this picture: [URL="https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9ScHC7cBSsIrfQfj"]https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9ScHC7cBSsIrfQfj[/URL] it is a bit unlevel as it goes out to the new area. In this picture you can see there is about 1/8” gap under the tile that spans across that divide in the new area: [URL="https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9SiSlCC87XH5M8gU"]https://1drv.ms/i/s!AuZ4nzjfOYaI9SiSlCC87XH5M8gU[/URL] My plan was to try to level out that tile as much as possible to prevent it from rocking (and therefore cracking) and then slowly taper the next one down to bring it where it needs to be, so-on. Does this seem viable using thinset or do I need to try and level that out before going to thinset (is the gap too large) – is my question. I just don’t want the tile to break. Thanks in advance!