SLC over a large floor prior to tiling

[CheshireChap]

Hi,

We have a new extension, 45m2 with wet underfloor (commissioned) and screened 4 months ago. This joins onto the existing kitchen which is concrete base.

Kitchen will have elec underfloor. Tiles are 1m2 porcelain 6mm thick (thin!). Kitchen area 24m2.

The new floor is pretty good but highest point in one corner is 5mm proud. In kitchen there is a small area 20mm out of true.

Tiler wants a perfectly level surface and says an average SLC of 6-8mm should do it.

Any recommendations for a firm to do this for us?

 

[Dumbo]

Hi,

We have a new extension, 45m2 with wet underfloor (commissioned) and screened 4 months ago. This joins onto the existing kitchen which is concrete base.

Kitchen will have elec underfloor. Tiles are 1m2 porcelain 6mm thick (thin!). Kitchen area 24m2.

The new floor is pretty good but highest point in one corner is 5mm proud. In kitchen there is a small area 20mm out of true.

Tiler wants a perfectly level surface and says an average SLC of 6-8mm should do it.

Any recommendations for a firm to do this for us?

I would push it on the tiler because if he is not happy with it its his puppy . If he can't do it find somebody that can do both as you don't want two contractors blaming each other if it doesn't go as planned and you getting caught in the middle

 

[hmtiling]

As above.
Your tiler should insist on doing it.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Is there a joint between the 2 substrates that you are tiling over?
As above - tiler should prepare the base ready for tiling if he's worth his salt!

 

[hmtiling]

Yep, as above, 2 different substrates and heating zones will require an expansion joint of some description.

 

[CheshireChap]

Yes there will be a joint between the 2 rooms.

 

[peteablard]

If your tiler isn't skilled enough to level it himself then I wouldn't let him loose laying those tiles. Alarm bells should be ringing!!

 

[Italy]

I add, not all tilers, they know how to pose and cut, thin porcelain, a mistake is 1smq thrown away.

 

[CheshireChap]

I add, not all tilers, they know how to pose and cut, thin porcelain, a mistake is 1smq thrown away.

To be fair, we chose these guys because they have just finished a 60m2 floor with the exact same tiles as ours. They said they could level it but would prefer a specialist company to do it.

That's what I came on for, to find one!

 

[Italy]

To be fair, we chose these guys because they have just finished a 60m2 floor with the exact same tiles as ours. They said they could level it but would prefer a specialist company to do it.

That's what I came on for, to find one!

good

 

[Dumbo]

To be fair, we chose these guys because they have just finished a 60m2 floor with the exact same tiles as ours. They said they could level it but would prefer a specialist company to do it.

That's what I came on for, to find one!

Wouldn't be happy with just finished as faults may yet arise

 

[CheshireChap]

Wouldn't be happy with just finished as faults may yet arise

I can't win!!

 

[hmtiling]

I don't know of any companies specialising in floor levelling. I'd recommend finding someone who's happy to prep their own work

 

[One Day]

All the "specialist floor prep" companies I have followed onto jobs in the past 10yrs (in the NorthWest) - I have had to rectify their "specialised" work myself!

It's not a huge floor - any decent tiler would WANT to do it themselves.

 

[hmtiling]

who prepped the 60m2 floor they've just finished?
are these guys tilers or just builders who tile?

 

[One Day]

I don't mean to be awkward saying it, but I would LOVE a company to come in and prep my floors.
They just never - ever get them as good as I can. Ok they're faster, but we all know faster does not equate with better.

 

[hmtiling]

I don't mean to be awkward saying it, but I would LOVE a company to come in and prep my floors.
They just never - ever get them as good as I can. Ok they're faster, but we all know faster does not equate with better.

who'd ever think you'd intentionally be awkward Mark!?

 

[Spare Tool]

Hi,

We have a new extension, 45m2 with wet underfloor (commissioned) and screened 4 months ago. This joins onto the existing kitchen which is concrete base.

Kitchen will have elec underfloor. Tiles are 1m2 porcelain 6mm thick (thin!). Kitchen area 24m2.

The new floor is pretty good but highest point in one corner is 5mm proud. In kitchen there is a small area 20mm out of true.

Tiler wants a perfectly level surface and says an average SLC of 6-8mm should do it.

Any recommendations for a firm to do this for us?

Has the new area been screeded higher than the Kitchen area, or level with it?...if your putting ins boards and elec ufh down this is going to leave the new area around 12-14mill lower unless its already been compensated for..which over 45 sqm is gonna add up to around 60 bags of slc..

 

[One Day]

who'd ever think you'd intentionally be awkward Mark!?

Unfortunately it has been a mistake some unwitting people have made in the past

 

[Dumbo]

I can't win!!

To be honest we are not trying to be awkward but most of the tilers on here will tell you that most floor prep done before they arrive is not up to standard and you have to consider whether the contractors are trying to get themselves a get out of jail free card by being able to blame others if it is not up to standard .

 

[CheshireChap]

new floor screeded to same height as kitchen. All areas will be covered with durabase and an additional 6mm insulation over the kitchen. So the only difference in height will be the insulation and the adhesive for it - some of which will be compensated for in the new room by the high points.

Hence our guesstimate of an average of 8mm over whole area.

 

[Spare Tool]

new floor screeded to same height as kitchen. All areas will be covered with durabase and an additional 6mm insulation over the kitchen. So the only difference in height will be the insulation and the adhesive for it - some of which will be compensated for in the new room by the high points.

Hence our guesstimate of an average of 8mm over whole area.

6mm insulation boards plus adhesive plus ufh cables plus an encapsulating slc over wires adds up to a lot more than 8mm..

 

[hmtiling]

new floor screeded to same height as kitchen. All areas will be covered with durabase and an additional 6mm insulation over the kitchen. So the only difference in height will be the insulation and the adhesive for it - some of which will be compensated for in the new room by the high points.

Hence our guesstimate of an average of 8mm over whole area.

You'll have the 6mm plus the 5mm of latex needed to encapsulate the heating element.
I'd speak with Dural but a thin or void free decoupler might be the best way to go with 6mm thick/thin tiles

 

[hmtiling]

It's turned into a big pour.

 

[CheshireChap]

6mm insulation boards plus adhesive plus ufh cables plus an encapsulating slc over wires adds up to a lot more than 8mm..

I did say an 'average' of 8mm. The UFH cables, as you know, sit inside the dural, not proud of it.

It is a big job, we've no illusions about that - there's another 35m2 of hall etc tiles once the new/kitchen bit is done.

 

[hmtiling]

I did say an 'average' of 8mm. The UFH cables, as you know, sit inside the dural, not proud of it.

It is a big job, we've no illusions about that - there's another 35m2 of hall etc tiles once the new/kitchen bit is done.

Is it ditra heat or vario pro? I'm not aware of Dural doing one like those

 

[Spare Tool]

Is it ditra heat or vario pro? I'm not aware of Dural doing one like those

Me neither...any link?

 

[Old Mod]

Is it ditra heat or vario pro? I'm not aware of Dural doing one like those

Dural Durabase CI FH Decoupling / Underfloor Heating Carrier Mat - 10 sq./m - https://www.pureadhesion.co.uk/dural-durabase-ci-fh-decoupling-underfloor-heating-carrier-mat-10-sq.-m.html

 

[hmtiling]

Is it ditra heat or vario pro? I'm not aware of Dural doing one like those

I stand corrected http://www.cimatting.co.uk/ci-matting/ci-fh-carrier-matting/

 

[hmtiling]

Dural Durabase CI FH Decoupling / Underfloor Heating Carrier Mat - 10 sq./m - https://www.pureadhesion.co.uk/dural-durabase-ci-fh-decoupling-underfloor-heating-carrier-mat-10-sq.-m.html

only just!