Raimondi levelling pegs tested on a recent job

[Jeff the tiler]

Hey all. I said I would post my experience using Raimondi floor levelling pegs. Got a complete set from Kwik splt what i thought would do the job for a 34 metre floor using 60 x 30 porcelain tiles, so 500 3mm base clips and 200 wedges. I would say the cost was was around the £80 mark. Sounds expensive but purchased with a Pull rapid washboy and a few other bits and so got some discount which helped.

So new pliers boxes of clips and wedges and away I went.

Initially broke a few clips by not getting the pressure correct on the pliers and some of the clips seemed to snap of their own accord which was not great.

Then over time i got the feel of the pressure and how many clicks [3 generally]you could push the wedge into the clip [serated top edge of the wedge clicks as you push it into the clip] I started to really see the benefit of the system. I lifted a couple of tiles to check if it was creating air gaps but it seemed fine. An important point is the clips are there to make slight adjustment in height so you stil have to get the tile pretty level first. if you try to pull up to much
difference the clips will break as the suction of adhesive creates to much pressure.

I would say the main benefit was that over the 34 metres I did not have to lift a tile to re bed and over the the whole job would say I saved a good few hours in time making sure everyhting was perfectly flat and level. So just in man hours I would say they paid for themselves. I know some will be reading this saying i can get a perfectly flat floor without these but honestly, and i am not promoting Raimondi as there are others out there, they certainly help me do the job quicker than by the traditinal method of eye, straight edge and spirit level.

I am old school and quite reluctant to change but this is a product i will definately use again on domestic price work even if i can not pass on the cost just in man hours saved it covers the cost.

I am trying them on 60 x 60 next week and, also have some Australian Atr levelling pegs so hopefully will be able to post a thread comparing them next week.

If you have any questions let me know and i will try to answer if I can

 

[waterfd]

How did you find the kicking off of the wedges did they come clean or did you have to go over the grout line getting some out?

 

[Bubblecraft]

I was interested in getting this exact system but think you've now sold it to me. Might go ahead & give it a whirl this year

 

[Fliselege]

Using them at the mo, clips could do with being a tad stronger, bit too weak but good system when you get used to it. one of the labourers accidently trod on a brand new bag of clips I'd set down next to me and was just about to start using, there wern't many survivors. Could have knocked him spark out but he's bigger than me.

 

[afright]

Jeff can I ask where did you get the atr system from I do fancy a go with them as youve only got the one clip on the tile edges.

 

[enduro]

I might have a go with them too....

 

[rainsco]

hallo, i saw the raimondi video and i thought to myself on a small format its a lot of work to install it and to get rid of it and sort the white from the red ones.
so can you tell me how long do you take for the floor (alone?) and what kind of screed was it?
i never saw the result live but if the screed is not ultraflat and one tile ist to deep and you push the tiles with force there must be spots without adhesive? i can imagine but i think in future, about 20 years or something when we do some renovations it would be special to find a floor without using plastik? i hope this system isn´t as easy to install and get a perfekt surface like click parquet.

 

[afright]

Theres a new video on utube like the atr system tried to upload it but just cant get the hang of it.have got the hang now

 

[afright]

[video=youtube;GkGkZo-fReU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkGkZo-fReU[/video] I think this is from Canada.

 

[charlie1]

Interesting use of the word 'level'. Also, i think that one would break a lot of travertine.

 

[afright]

I think the ATR system is very pricey for bits of plastic.

 

[hillhead]

I have a brother who works for an inventive engineering company, I must show him these clips etc to see what they make of it from that angle.
Crazy price for them all IMO.
I have some Genesis ones but haven't tried them enough really.

 

[glasgow_tiler]

these maybe good for a floor that is completly flat and dosnt need any building up but again i just dont see the need for these as its not as easy as just sticking the tile down and screwing these pegs on but if it helps folk out then cool

 

[Jeff the tiler]

Hey, Glasgow tiler I have been able to try on a small area where I needed to build up by 25mm or so, the clips were fine but I agree they are not for everyone, on large commercial work completely impractical on a financial basis.

One thing to add I have been able to use the wedges three times over so far but I think that probably about it with them as the serrated top edges are showing wear now.

Again I would like to stress so far only tried on porcelain so can not give a view on other tiles i.e travertine etc.

For me the pegs are not there to level the floor they lessen the chance of lippage when the adhesive is drying back. The clips will not pull a tile up or down by huge amounts so the adhesive contact should not be broken as the clips will break if you squeeze the wedge in with to much force

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Well done Jeff ! and thanks for the write -up from a truly independent source M8, as so many write -up have to be taken with a pinch or bucket of salt as they are bias in the fact that the writers are getting freebies .....lol

 

[Andy Tiler]

I've done a quick vid of the lash clip system!!!! Check my bald head out ha ha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SYGLhdkpsg&sns=em

 

[rainsco]

first thing i would buy when i use the lévl-system is a little cordless skrewdriver.

 

[jonnyc]

i am a bit lost on why these clips are needed for stone
we have had instances where porcelain flexes and can see the point in this instance possibly although with care we can avoid lippage.
stone does not flex in same way and can only think that if you applied these clips on a stone that does not flex then you are a causing other stesses and possibly forcing the tile off the bed laid.

 

[Andy Tiler]

i am a bit lost on why these clips are needed for stone
we have had instances where porcelain flexes and can see the point in this instance possibly although with care we can avoid lippage.
stone does not flex in same way and can only think that if you applied these clips on a stone that does not flex then you are a causing other stesses and possibly forcing the tile off the bed laid.

Hi johny, I didn't really need the clips on this job, but I chose to use them!
They don't cause any stress they just hold the tile in place while the adhesive goes off, once the wedge is removed it's only the adhesive holding them down.
Hope this helps

 

[Houston]

I have always been taught to read the floor/wall substrates before tiling with straight/feather edge etc.. and prep before if required, surely we can serrate a floor/wall and fix tiles without lippage . Personally i don't think its for me at this moment in time.

 

[Andy Tiler]

I have always been taught to read the floor/wall substrates before tiling with straight/feather edge etc.. and prep before if required, surely we can serrate a floor/wall and fix tiles without lippage . Personally i don't think its for me at this moment in time.

I also levelled that floor Houston it was out by 25/30 mm in places.these systems still require a certain amount of skill to use.!!

 

[charlie1]

Be interesting to test this system on a typical flor where people would be tempted to use it... lets say a slightly uneven floor with +/-5mm over a 1.8 edge, then lay a line if tiles and activate the system, lets see how the adhesive deforme under the tiles and where it goes! Having given this matter thought, that the system seems to do is turn all the tiles in to one large tile the size of the room so ask yourself this totally hypothetical question, what trowel size would you use on a typical floor with a tile the size of your room??? 20+mm ?? ... who knows... something hs to give somewhere, there has to be a downside to achieving these perfect results on the surface!

 

[Andy Tiler]

Be interesting to test this system on a typical flor where people would be tempted to use it... lets say a slightly uneven floor with +/-5mm over a 1.8 edge, then lay a line if tiles and activate the system, lets see how the adhesive deforme under the tiles and where it goes! Having given this matter thought, that the system seems to do is turn all the tiles in to one large tile the size of the room so ask yourself this totally hypothetical question, what trowel size would you use on a typical floor with a tile the size of your room??? 20+mm ?? ... who knows... something hs to give somewhere, there has to be a downside to achieving these perfect results on the surface!

Hi Charlie, I wouldn't advise anybody tonus

 

[Andy Tiler]

Be interesting to test this system on a typical flor where people would be tempted to use it... lets say a slightly uneven floor with +/-5mm over a 1.8 edge, then lay a line if tiles and activate the system, lets see how the adhesive deforme under the tiles and where it goes! Having given this matter thought, that the system seems to do is turn all the tiles in to one large tile the size of the room so ask yourself this totally hypothetical question, what trowel size would you use on a typical floor with a tile the size of your room??? 20+mm ?? ... who knows... something hs to give somewhere, there has to be a downside to achieving these perfect results on the surface!

Ignore that last post Charlie lol. Was gonna write summat but I've done to much typing tonight...

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I think I will stick to my hard earned skills, as above the ability to read a floor, and put years of experience into practice works for me. But if this system works for you, go for it.a bit DIY imo.

 

[rainsco]

last year i got an call for bit for an architect own house. all floors with 180x80cm tiles with half shifted layout. on walls 120 x 60 (4mm) over 150m² . a very high end house. raimondi or other leveling system was required and part of the agreement.
that was one of the causes (not the main) i didn´t enter. i have no problem with the size of the tiles but no expierence with the system and this was no job to try it out.
what i want to say. this was no DIY Job.
the architect has his cause why he claims the system.

but in my opinion time is no advantage of these systems. when i watch the videos i think in time when you install the plastik you can take the tile up and set adhesive on right place and level it twice and then you have perfect bed and perfect surface.

 

[afright]

Looking at this system you need four clips ,I think the ATR system looks as if its a bit quicker as you only use one on the four corners will not try it yet but will wait to read if any other tilers have used them still think they are a bit pricey.

 

[Andy Tiler]

Looking at this system you need four clips ,I think the ATR system looks as if its a bit quicker as you only use one on the four corners will not try it yet but will wait to read if any other tilers have used them still think they are a bit pricey.

The ATR system is a good system aswell IMO!! But takes a bit of getting used to..!

 

[glasgow_tiler]

Hey, Glasgow tiler I have been able to try on a small area where I needed to build up by 25mm or so, the clips were fine but I agree they are not for everyone, on large commercial work completely impractical on a financial basis.

One thing to add I have been able to use the wedges three times over so far but I think that probably about it with them as the serrated top edges are showing wear now.

Again I would like to stress so far only tried on porcelain so can not give a view on other tiles i.e travertine etc.

For me the pegs are not there to level the floor they lessen the chance of lippage when the adhesive is drying back. The clips will not pull a tile up or down by huge amounts so the adhesive contact should not be broken as the clips will break if you squeeze the wedge in with to much force

they just seem like they could be a pain to use and in a way pointless, but i can see were they could be helpfull to some folks

 

[Phil22]

I am trying them on 60 x 60 next week and, also have some Australian Atr levelling pegs so hopefully will be able to post a thread comparing them next week.

If you have any questions let me know and i will try to answer if I can

Hi Jeff, sorry if you've already posted this, but where did you get the ATR system from in uk?, I've looked but can only see on places like ebay and ebid from the usa?
cheers