Does anyone notch trowel both the tile and the substrate? - Tile Advice

[paulf123]

Guy told me he notch trowels the subtrate and the tile back perpendicularily. Nonsense?

Thx!

 

[widler]

Don’t see it being a problem, I don’t do it as logic would be thst notching both tile snd substrate would add even more weight

 

[Dan]

In general no. What size tile is it and what's the substrate?

 

[Dumbo]

Depending on tile size yes I notch both but parallel to one another. Watch you tube video "trowel and error " showing how air gets trap behind tiles not allowing ribs to collapse properly

 

[Dan]

The video?

Trowel and Error

This important video was produced by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) some time ago, but still contains some vital information for the instal...

youtu.be

 

[paulf123]

The video?

Trowel and Error

This important video was produced by the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) some time ago, but still contains some vital information for the instal...

youtu.be

Thx. In that video it says back buttering is not necessary?

 

[paulf123]

13" X 13" going onto uneven cement surface (see my botched self-level job in other thread.)

 

[Dan]

Some tiles need skimming to fill holes or pits. Like tumbled marble.

Most tiles don't required back buttering if the substrate is flat and has been prepped well.

You might need to back butter corners of tiles that change thicknesses like slate etc. You start tiling with the thickest of the lot, and in the lowest corner of the floor then.

Nearly all tiles don't require applying adhesive to the floor and the tile.

And pretty much all wall tiles don't require it. Unless the wall is rough in an area or something.

Got a picture of what you want to tile?

 

[Spare Tool]

Personally I backbutter everything bigger than a metro, walls and floors, it's just a habit now...

 

[Old Mod]

Back buttering is essential with porcelain, it increases tile to adhesive bond by at least 50%
Adhesive has to be forced (burnt) into the pores of the porcelain.
Directional troweling is essential, ie both in same direction. Cross troweling can cause much bigger issues by leaving air pockets beneath.
If you’re going to watch trowel and error, watch the official one from the NTCA
The video above although produced by NTCA is woefully out of date.

Trowel & Error

The new and updated version of NTCA Trowel and Error. How to achieve maximum mortar coverage.

youtu.be

 

[widler]

I remember ray at porcalthin telling me to trowel floor one way then trowel the back of the tile the opposite direction ? Has it changed now
I back butter all porcelain, but never have notched both
[automerge]1562423466[/automerge]
Has anyone tried the ‘artex’ Method and lifted a tile and a ‘tile in straight lines’ and lifted the tile themselves ? Try it, you will be surprise.
I remember a lad saying that you have to trowel in one direction so the water runs down the wall and doesn’t get trapped , oh what people get suckered into on the net

 

[Flintstone]

That's a bit of bad advice, @Dan
Back butter all porcelain tiles, unless there a 4 inch kitchen tile. Back butter all large ceramics and back butter anything made of stone or natural material. You can double notch in areas if you require a bit more bed depth. It also helps to get good coverage.

 

[Spare Tool]

I remember ray at porcalthin telling me to trowel floor one way then trowel the back of the tile the opposite direction ? Has it changed now
I back butter all porcelain, but never have notched both
[automerge]1562423466[/automerge]
Has anyone tried the ‘artex’ Method and lifted a tile and a ‘tile in straight lines’ and lifted the tile themselves ? Try it, you will be surprise.
I remember a lad saying that you have to trowel in one direction so the water runs down the wall and doesn’t get trapped , oh what people get suckered into on the net

That was me that told you about the water, used to do work for a bathroom guy in Bolton and he said you MUST trowel vertically so any water behind the tiles can run down the wall...
he was a right clown

 

[Dan]

That's a bit of bad advice, @Dan
Back butter all porcelain tiles, unless there a 4 inch kitchen tile. Back butter all large ceramics and back butter anything made of stone or natural material. You can double notch in areas if you require a bit more bed depth. It also helps to get good coverage.

Pisser. You must be an adhesive reps dream pal.

What year was it you took a course in tiling again?

 

[Dumbo]

That was me that told you about the water, used to do work for a bathroom guy in Bolton and he said you MUST trowel vertically so any water behind the tiles can run down the wall...
he was a right clown

I have heard that a few times.