If I can do it anyone can.

[UITA]

Right I've decided to document my trial and errors for your amusement. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to have a go at laying some riven slate tiles (well I've laid laminate so it can't be that hard!!!!).

Why am I doing this? I've just bought a new place and as I teach have had little time to put into the doing up of the place and as I've got the summer hols coming up I need to say "I did that" for something.

"Get someone in to do it" I'd prefer not to hear although it will probably be the very wisest of suggestions I'll hear here. If this fails I'll have no problems smashing it all up and then taking the advice.

So if you don't mind me wasting your time and asking some stupid/obvious questions I'll carry on. Next post will show some photos of the room and tiles. As it's the kitchen there will be a lot of floor space taken up with units.

 

[faithhealer]

bring it on, but we don't get amusement just satisfaction from a job well done. as timeless John as already mentioned though, have you the tools for the job, main one being a wet cutter

 

[Daz]

I'm sure this is going to be an interesting thread. I hope we can help you turn out a great job .

 

[paulyoung666]

Right I've decided to document my trial and errors for your amusement. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to have a go at laying some riven slate tiles (well I've laid laminate so it can't be that hard!!!!).

Why am I doing this? I've just bought a new place and as I teach have had little time to put into the doing up of the place and as I've got the summer hols coming up I need to say "I did that" for something.

"Get someone in to do it" I'd prefer not to hear although it will probably be the very wisest of suggestions I'll hear here. If this fails I'll have no problems smashing it all up and then taking the advice.

So if you don't mind me wasting your time and asking some stupid/obvious questions I'll carry on. Next post will show some photos of the room and tiles. As it's the kitchen there will be a lot of floor space taken up with units.

big up to you for having a go , if it wasnt for this site then i would have used completely the wrong addy for my porcelain backsplash , plus the hints and tips i recieved helped me to achieve an ok result , not brilliant and certainly not to a pro standard , but far better for the help from here

 

[UITA]

Wet cutter......check, went to screwfix and bought one of those. Got a chalk line, trowels, buckets, rubber hammer, spirt level, bolster. Please throw in other things I might need and if possible where to get them. I should warn I don't like paying over the odds for stuff (tight arse). Bought a spirit level from WHAT for £12 when B+Q were selling them for £70!!!!! Now I'm probably going to sound real ignorant here but isn't one bubble like the others?

Put some SLC down today, didn't really know what to expect but yeah it was OK, maybe a little too thick at first but soon got the hang of it.

As I said photos tomorrow but here's some of the things that are going through my mind.

• The room is about 4X4 square, where should I start?
• Should I skimp on adesive? There's a local No frills store that sells it a lot cheaper than the big brands. What am I looking to pay for this size room?
• Same as above but for sealer.
• The tiles vary from a wafer thin mint to a doorstop crust. Can I make up the thickness with adesive?
• Doorways scare me, should I be afraid, there's one either side of the room.

 

[faithhealer]

don't skimp on addy, sounds like you have already bought cheap tiles

 

[Scott]

Start with the thickest first and please dont skimp on the cost of the adhesive!

You may need to pack out the thinner tiles by a fair depth so wyou will need a decent adhesive that is able to cope with the depth and not slump.

By the way, my motto is buy cheap buy twice but as your not going to really use the level much after this it should be ok but you tend to get what you pay for with tools. You can check the level by putting in on the wall and marking a line then turn it round (from left to right) and che the line again. If its not the same take it back

As for where to start, measure the centre line each way in the room and square it to the door and units. 'Ping' a chalk line and work out the tiles from the line to the walls/units to see what kind of cuts you will get, you can either put the tile to the line or stradle it over the centre of it. IF it wont work out with decent cuts then you can shift it left/right/forward/back etc until you are happy

 

[UITA]

Thanks, I won't skimp on the adesive. Don't think the tiles are that cheap more a case of my inexperience when choosing the tiles, took some dogs back and the guy said he thought I was "easily pleased" when they were putting them on the back of my truck.

So I'm guessing best not to go with ready mix. My options are B+Q, Wickes, Homebase, Screwfix, Ebay, Topps Tiles. Where's the best to go? Cardiff, Newport are local enough if anyone can help as to where to go.

 

[Colour Republic]

Now I'm probably going to sound real ignorant here but isn't one bubble like the others?

A bubble is a bubble but the way it is mounted, in what liquid, where the centre lines are marked, how the level is machined, how resistant the level is to bowing can vary drastically.

As Scottley says you can do a test to see if the level is out but over a short distance it may not show, use the level to draw a line the whole way round the room, now even though the level is reading as such by the time you complete the line you could be 4,5,6,7,8mm+ out. Which suggest the level is not very accurate. A decent level will minimise this and give you better results. All levels have a margin of error it's just how big that margin is.

As you are unlikely to have as much use for a level as a professional would, then there is no need to spend big. But also if you cut corners then the job could be ruined.

There are certain areas you can save money, like some tools that you can do without but make a pro's job easier, there are other areas you should spend the money like quality materials that come with guarantees if used correctly

 

[White Room]

No readymix:yikes: