Tile spacers

[stephenoneill]

often overlooked by many tilers a good tile spacer is important ;having used many over the years i have found the raimondi 3 mm spacer to be the best;the spacer is large and holds the tile perfectly in place and due to its shape it is easy to fit between the tiles and more importantly easy to remove; it does not bend and is easily cleaned with a quick soak overnight between jobs :well thats my lot about tile spacers lol

 

[graham3]

Hi where can you buy raimondi tile spacers just wondered if I can get them in my area.

 

[Gazzer]

Try Kwiksplit

 

[graham3]

Thanks Sir ramic:smiley2:

 

[charlie1]

Rubi ones are very bendy, tile easy are ok, my favourite ones are the 2mm (actually 1.5mm) b&q ones!

 

[Alan.P]

See now I don't understand why some fixers remove their spacers after fixing, surely it's costly in time, which is money, you run the risk of chipping tiles and the times that I've seen it done it just doesn't look 'right'

 

[charlie1]

You only remove them if you use them as pegs?? Like me!

 

[John Benton]

You remove them so you get a constant depth of grout and you don't leave jobs like this.

 

[Alan.P]

You only remove them if you use them as pegs?? Like me!

Fair enough but using them as pegs wasn't mentioned.

You remove them so you get a constant depth of grout and you don't leave jobs like this.

View attachment 49312

So your saying that all spacers should be removed because the depth, never left a spacer like the one in your picture so can't comment. I'm sure that not every fixer removes spacers and I'm equally sure that leaving them in is the norm.

 

[Ian]

If tiles aren't millimetre perfect, leaving them in doesn't work. I often have 3 sizes on the go if the tiles are a bit sizey, say 1.5/2/2.5mm, or use wedges.

 

[charlie1]

Fair enough but using them as pegs wasn't mentioned.





So your saying that all spacers should be removed because the depth, never left a spacer like the one in your picture so can't comment. I'm sure that not every fixer removes spacers and I'm equally sure that leaving them in is the norm.

yes, leaving them in is the norm, I've never seen a tiler in real life removing them if fitted properly. I only remove for obvious reasons but they are designed to be left in. have you seen any tiler removing all spacers fitted like above?

 

[Alan.P]

If tiles aren't millimetre perfect, leaving them in doesn't work. I often have 3 sizes on the go if the tiles are a bit sizey, say 1.5/2/2.5mm, or use wedges.

Yes Bri, I know that and use various combinations if it calls for it, but any measures taken still doesn't deflect from the fact that removing them is time and time is money ( if your on m2 ) as I used to do a lot of site work, and most tiles are not too bad in that you need to wedge every one.

yes, leaving them in is the norm, I've never seen a tiler in real life removing them if fitted properly. I only remove for obvious reasons but they are designed to be left in. have you seen any tiler removing all spacers fitted like above?

I know mate, I was being pedantic, and unfortunately yes, I have seen them removed afterwards, you see all sorts on sites.

 

[Andrew]

Spacers however used should be removed. Grouting over them is poor practice in my opinion, especially where tiling is functional! floors, bathrooms, kitchen areas etc..

 

[John Benton]

There you go:-

Tile Spacers

 

[Alan.P]

Right I'm gonna bow out coz I really can't be bothered arguing the toss at the moment, if someone can post a link showing why it's poor practice and why I'll read it with interest.

 

[John Benton]

See above Alan

 

[Alan.P]

There you go:-

Tile Spacers

I posted while you posted that link John, ok, officially shocked, can a mod add a poll to this thread and will members please vote, I'm really interested to see how many fixers remove spacers, or whether they use spacers as pegs etc.

 

[Ian]

Good read that is John, I didn't actually know it was bad practice, I just find it easier to use spacers as described in that article.

 

[John Benton]

Yep I always remove. If you work clean and keep your joints clean you don't even have to wash them off either

 

[bugs183]

I leave them in and if they are pushed back i've never had a problem, it wouldn't be practica time wise on many jobs.

I was told i should remove them in floors as they can affect the expansion in underfloor heated tiling, i quized Schluter about this and they said no one had ever asked this before and couldn't see it being a problem.

The spacer shown above looks like a Genesis spacer, they are badly moulded and even if you don't see the leg you can see the plastic show through from the duff moulding. I told the rep and being a rep he did nothing about it!!!!

I use the Tradetiler spacers, but the larger ones can compress on wall tiling jobs.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I never leave spacers in, then again I prefare wedges.

 

[Ian]

Spacers

As requested in this thread http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/65515-tile-spacers.html here is a poll.

 

[charlie1]

How on earth is it possible to remove the bottom spacers from a rectified porcelain install, the weight will have compressed it so much, its hard enough trying to get pegs out never mind spacers!

 

[Andy Allen]

i never use crosses i prefer pegs on walls, never use any spacers on floors...

 

[bugs183]

You have to take them out Charlie or the whole world will end!!!!

Personally i don't think it makes the slightest bit of difference to any job. If i can whip them out i will if i can't i make sure they don't poke through, then i grout up,

I do use wedges alot, and the ones for the Lash Clip system are ace, worth buying a pack even if you don't like the system.

 

[charlie1]

i use 2mm spacers and wedges, hardly ever use the spacer flat to tile though, tiles need to be spot on for that!

Im gonna make spacers made out of grout for you purists... what colours would you like lol

 

[Alan.P]

Re: Spacers

Thanks Bri, could it not have been added to the thread though in case it gets missed ?

 

[Ian]

Re: Spacers

I don't have the powers to add it to the thread, I might be able to merge the 2 threads. If not I'm sure Neale can do it.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't have the powers to add it to the thread, I might be able to merge the 2 threads. If not I'm sure Neale can do it.

Ahh, there we go.

 

[Peter]

Usually peg on walls and lay them flat on flat on floors, although I've been pegging more on floors lately. A Stanley hook blade or hardie knife is good for removing them.

I find pegging more accurate if tiles aren't rectified because if you're floating a spacer higher on one joint and lower on another, it can be at a different depth of the bevel.

 

[Alan.P]

Re: Spacers

I don't have the powers to add it to the thread, I might be able to merge the 2 threads. If not I'm sure Neale can do it.

- - - Updated - - -



Ahh, there we go.

LOL sorry to be a pain but can we make it a public poll so as we can see who has voted and which way ?

TIA