Help with Stacking tiles - TilersForums.com

[Crocotile]

Hi! I'm a bit of a silent member here. I'm fairly new to tiling, I'm a laborer and my boss, who's a builder has taught me what he knows about tiling and I've learnt the rest myself. I've done around 5 bathrooms now on my own and they're to a reasonable standard. I'm pretty slow compared to most, sadly, but I guess speed will come with time. Anyway I've just tiled a bathroom for the first time Stacking the tiles rather than half bond/brick bond and I really struggled with lines opening up slightly which was so frustrating. It looked nice when finished and grouted but I wasn't best pleased with it. I have another bathroom coming up, twice the sizend, and again this one will be stacked. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice? People have told me to maybe try using 3mm spacers rather than 2mm and someone suggested I buy a laser level to help, especially when doing my battons. Id love to spend time with a professional tiler to see how they work etc as I can only learn so much about tiling from my boss who doesn't specialise in it. I appreciate any help and advice you guys can give me!

 

[Flintstone]

Hello, any pictures ?

 

[Crocotile]

I literally only have this and my camera is terrible. I'll try and take some of this job next time I'm there.

 

[Flintstone]

 

[Crocotile]

??

 

[WetSaw]

Hopefully those blobs on the wall are remnants from the old tiles..

 

[GoneGuy]

Was you shown to put dabs on back of a tile?
Also if your using poor quality tiles you would need to use a bigger spacer to compensate for
Irregular sized tiles.

 

[Dumbo]

If your lines are opening up your bottom row isn't straight .

 

[One Day]

Look like BCT tiles for a start.
If they are, I've been tiling 11+yrs now and I couldn't get them straight after 3 courses!
Chuck 'em away and fix Royal Mosa instead.

 

[One Day]

Prep is EVERYTHING. As above, if your first row isn't 100% level i.e. your batton dips and raises even 1/4mm your next rows will be all over.