Large wall tile trowel.

[Drifterjoe]

Hi guys.

Advice on the best trowel to get 100% coverage?

Going to install a shower area with 600x300 porcelain tiles. I'm thinking as they are a heavy larger tile I should use the 10mm notched trowel, and back skim. The wall will be pretty flat as I'm reboarding.

Is this better or as good as using a dedicated solid bed trowel? I have a 6mm notched solid bed trowel that I'm thinking is too thin, and a 20x10 u-notch floor trowel that I'm thinking is too much??

Advice much appreciated.

Cheers Joe

 

[SJPurdy]

I'd be starting with 8mm notch and back skimming. Check that this gives a solid bed on the first tiles fitted and then assuming it does continue with the rest. Only if the tiles or wall are twisted/bowed will this fail to give good coverage/contact to the whole tile; in which case a larger notch might help.

 

[Old Mod]

The substrate and tile backing generally dictate trowel size when fitting.
Rough substrate and rough backed tile will require deeper notch etc than a smooth substrate and a smooth back tile.
There's no absolute fixed rule really. Just need to apply sufficient adhesive for the situation, without exceeding the adhesive manufacturers recommendation on maximum adhesive depth.
But yes, always back butter/skim tiles before fixing, it increases bond strength significantly and aids in achieving a full bed.
You can alway use one size trowel on the wall, and a smaller. Itch on the tile to achieve your full bed.
Experiment initially and see what works best without overloading with adhesive.
Too much can be as bad as too little sometimes.

 

[Old Mod]

I'd be starting with 8mm notch and back skimming. Check that this gives a solid bed on the first tiles fitted and then assuming it does continue with the rest. Only if the tiles or wall are twisted/bowed will this fail to give good coverage/contact to the whole tile; in which case a larger notch might help.

Hahaha you following me Steve?

 

[Flintstone]

I'd be supprised if an 8mm trowel gave anything like 100%
I would pick up the 6x12mm trowel first off and try that or a 10mm notch. The mix you have will also have a bearing, just thick enough that it's not slumping too much

 

[Drifterjoe]

Cheers for the replies guys. Food for thought.

 

[One Day]

I'd go 10mm with a back skim.
8mm if walls are perfect
6mm if I built them

 

[MILLER669]

I'd be supprised if an 8mm trowel gave anything like 100%
I would pick up the 6x12mm trowel first off and try that or a 10mm notch. The mix you have will also have a bearing, just thick enough that it's not slumping too much

Where can you buy a 6 x 12mm trowel? Been looking for one but can't find one anywhere!!

 

[Drifterjoe]

This is the 6mm tapered trowel. Not sure it's 12mm wide at bottom though without measuring. Probably more like 10mm.

Thin Bed Solid Bed 6mm Shower Adhesive Trowel £7.99 in stock - next day UK delivery plus Tile Cutters and Tiling Tools - http://www.tradetiler.com/thin-bed-solid-bed-6mm-shower-adhesive-trowel.html

 

[One Day]

That's like the old BAL shower trowel. Never liked mine, it's in my garage somewhere.

 

[MILLER669]

I think @Localtiler is referring to a 6mm wide and 12mm deep notch, which I have seen before but can't find!!

 

[Drifterjoe]

Cut your own from a 6mm trowel. Just lay another 6mm trowel over the top and draw round the notches as a guide.

 

[Flintstone]

I cut my own with 12mm deep notches with rounded corners and 6mm wide. You can buy them, ragni trowel they are called

 

[Old Mod]

I cut my own with 12mm deep notches with rounded corners and 6mm wide. You can buy them, ragni trowel they are called

Need a new tape Andy, aren't they 10 x 4mm?


This is a little worn.

 

[Flintstone]

I made my own at 12 x 6 but the ones you buy are 10 x 6


Ragni RAG319 R319 Mastic Trowel - Serrated Edge - https://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Ragni-Rag319-8006415031112-R319-Mastic-Trowel--Serrated-Edge

 

[Flintstone]

Looks like you might only acheive 99% coverage with all that snot in the notches Marc!

 

[Old Mod]

Looks like you might only acheive 99% coverage with all that snot in the notches Marc!

Hahaha doubt it Andy, i back it with this too, I get 125%

 

[Flintstone]

That's my home made one

 

[Flintstone]

It does look different to the one on the link not as many notches, hmm

 

[Old Mod]

It does look different to the one on the link not as many notches, hmm

Old Genesis trowel?

 

[Flintstone]

Yeah I had two 6mm trowels so I sacrificed this one, I like the handles on them

 

[One Day]

That's my home made one View attachment 87905

How big are you?! Your thumb is nearly as big as the handle!

 

[Old Mod]

Yeah I had two 6mm trowels so I sacrificed this one, I like the handles on them

Ahhhh so you had a bogof deal at CTD! Haha

 

[Old Mod]

How big are you?! Your thumb is nearly as big as the handle!

6"7' Andy?

 

[Flintstone]

I'm 6ft 5, I do have large hands

 

[One Day]

I'm 6ft 5, I do have large hands

Aah! I'm a titchy 6ft.

 

[hmtiling]

what's with all you giant tilers? don't you know it's a small man's game?!

 

[White Room]

Small hands for me

 

[Flintstone]

I can usually reach up to the ceiling without standing on anything, but I can't touch my toes

 

[MILLER669]

What!!! I'm only 5' 8" ....but I am 16 1/2 stone.