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For Tile - How Level is "Level"????????? infiniteMPG 09-22-2008
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Posted by infiniteMPG on September 22, 2008, 8:34 am


I have ripped up the vinyl tile in my kitchen, cleaned to the bare
concrete, set and installed base cabinets and just about ready to
tile. As I have been inspecting the floor I have found the floor has
some "wavey" areas where over a 3 or 4 foot distance, there might be
an 1/8" or so dip. Nothing dramatic but just seems to have slight
waves to some areas. I have never done tiling before and in reading
have seen things about the smaller the tile the more tolerant of
level, and I know the base materials for the tile can take up some
slight differences, but my question is, how level does a floor need to
be to tile?

I have also read about self leveling floor materials and even picked
up some Quickrete topping that states on the bag for flooor leveling,
but this seems like a lot of work and not sure how level I can get it
(and sure don't want to screw the floor up since it's very smooth and
clean right now). Don't have a clue how to do the leveling except
maybe mix a fairly thin concrete mix and let it flow and level itself
but can't find instructions on this.

Any help from any tiling experts?

AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.
Posted by SteveBell on September 22, 2008, 10:09 am


infiniteMPG wrote:

> I have ripped up the vinyl tile in my kitchen, cleaned to the bare
> concrete, set and installed base cabinets and just about ready to
> tile. As I have been inspecting the floor I have found the floor has
> some "wavey" areas where over a 3 or 4 foot distance, there might be
> an 1/8" or so dip. Nothing dramatic but just seems to have slight
> waves to some areas. I have never done tiling before and in reading
> have seen things about the smaller the tile the more tolerant of
> level, and I know the base materials for the tile can take up some
> slight differences, but my question is, how level does a floor need to
> be to tile?
>
> I have also read about self leveling floor materials and even picked
> up some Quickrete topping that states on the bag for flooor leveling,
> but this seems like a lot of work and not sure how level I can get it
> (and sure don't want to screw the floor up since it's very smooth and
> clean right now). Don't have a clue how to do the leveling except
> maybe mix a fairly thin concrete mix and let it flow and level itself
> but can't find instructions on this.
>
> Any help from any tiling experts?

Read any instructions that come with the materials. They sometimes tell
you the allowable variation.

For 1/8", don't worry about it. You can put a little extra thinset
under the tiles that go in the low spots.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX

Posted by infiniteMPG on September 22, 2008, 10:35 am


> Read any instructions that come with the materials. They sometimes tell you
the allowable variation.

Haven't purchased the tile or thinset yet so wasn't sure.

> For 1/8", don't worry about it. You can put a little extra thinset under the
tiles that go in the low spots.

Was thinking that as trying to pour concrete leveler then that would
probably require a lot of work. Was being told that it had to be
almost exactly level as tile sitting over a low spot might crack. But
I thought the tile isn't sitting on the concrete, it's sitting on the
thinset. so if the thinset could support it being a little thicker
then there shouldn't be a problem.

Posted by SteveBell on September 22, 2008, 11:03 am


infiniteMPG wrote:

> > Read any instructions that come with the materials. They sometimes
> > tell you the allowable variation.
>
> Haven't purchased the tile or thinset yet so wasn't sure.
>
> > For 1/8", don't worry about it. You can put a little extra thinset
> > under the tiles that go in the low spots.
>
> Was thinking that as trying to pour concrete leveler then that would
> probably require a lot of work. Was being told that it had to be
> almost exactly level as tile sitting over a low spot might crack. But
> I thought the tile isn't sitting on the concrete, it's sitting on the
> thinset. so if the thinset could support it being a little thicker
> then there shouldn't be a problem.

Buy your tile from a tile store. It might cost a little more, but
you'll get it back in support.

The problem comes when there's a void under the tile. Spread the
thinset well on the floor and butter the back of the tile. That'll give
you better coverage.

--
Steve Bell
New Life Home Improvement
Arlington, TX

Posted by infiniteMPG on September 22, 2008, 11:25 am


> Buy your tile from a tile store. It might cost a little more, but you'll get
it back in support.

Was shopping at the same place I got my cabinets. They're an outlet
that sells mainly to contractors but they also sell to walk-ins.

> The problem comes when there's a void under the tile. Spread the thinset well
on the floor and butter the back of the tile. That'll give you better coverage.

Will the thinset list what the thickest it should be supplied? And
what about tile size? Was looking at 12x12 but with the floor was
maybe thinking smaller to avoid more issues with level (if that is an
issue to start with).

Thanks!

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