Tiling onto warped worktop - TilersForums.com

[widler]

Oiling the underside ... never seen that done..?

Me neither ,I've got oak work tops,just done the top,been in around 4 years now as well,no warping at all,they are defo screwed underneath as well though

 

[Stef]

Me neither ,I've got oak work tops,just done the top,been in around 4 years now as well,no warping at all,they are defo screwed underneath as well though

You not had any bother with them screwed down?

I know they have to breathe, I was paranoid to fix them to the units.

 

[AliGage]

I fitted solid oak worktops a number of times and have never oiled the under side. Only the overhangs of the doors or anything that might be on show.
Where is the dip? Is it over a unit or a free standing appliance?
I've also always screwed my tops down. You use angled brackets with slotted holes to allow for any slight expansion.

 

[lmkitchens]

Should be oiled underneath when fitted about 5 coats.

Shouldnt be crewed tight either, 6mm hole and lightly tightened to take up the tension!

 

[widler]

You not had any bother with them screwed down?

I know they have to breathe, I was paranoid to fix them to the units.

Not at all,seem fine, maybe my tiling is holding em down

 

[AliGage]

Should be oiled underneath when fitted about 5 coats

I'm interested to know, for what purpose would you oil the undernath??

 

[John Benton]

I'm interested to know, for what purpose would you oil the undernath??

It will be to counteract the oil on top to stop it curving

 

[lmkitchens]

^^ balances the worktop. Stops it cupping.

 

[Colour Republic]

The undersides should always be oiled so moisture resistances is equalised all around, this is the reason they are cupping. Moisture is entering the underside and expanding the wood, on the top where moisture is less due to its protected state from the oil is not expanding at the same rate. Hence cupping. In addition they shouldn't be screwed tightly down but have slip plates installed. The worktops will expand and contract as it is a natural material so will pull the cabinets in all sorts of directions if hard fixed.

Personally I wouldn't tile it no matter what but if she won't listen and is too going to do it any way then I would suggest you leave a large 6mm expansion gap so the worktops can twist and bow even more.

 

[AliGage]

I've always used the "slip plates" as you mention but i've never oiled the underside of the worktops. This is what I was taught.
Having said that two kitchens for customers I have installed with solid oak tops in the past I am still in contact with. One is the owner of the garage I take my motors to. His kitchen I installed some 8 or 9 years ago. There's been no cupping there, and it was the 28mm tops. Being slimmer you expect it to be more vunerable to cupping surely?