Slate

[vince]

Hi There

How difficult is it to lay slate? I have been told it varies in thickness from 10mm-20mm. Any advice on laying slate would be apprieceated as i have just turned down 70sq mtr job.

Regards Vince.

 

[tiling1]

Hi vince
Slate is not difficult to lay but more time consumming. All the slate needs to be graded as to the thickness cleaned and sealed b4 laying. There are few different ways in which to lay slate.
Depending on the levels of the substrate i usualy start at the highest point with the thinest slate working to the thickest making sure all exess adhesive is cleaned off as you go this makes life so much easier. A wet cutter is good if you have to cut inside but if you can cut outside i use an angle grinder with a stone cutting disk but this does kick up a lot of dust. A chipping hammer to finnish key cuts. seal the slate again b4 grouting helps with cleaning when grouting and again after to seal the grout.
I'm sure their will be other advice this is just how i find the easiest.
So that 70sq mtrs you turned down would pay a months wage for a weeks work.
Good luck for the nxt time you get offered slate work.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi There

How difficult is it to lay slate? I have been told it varies in thickness from 10mm-20mm. Any advice on laying slate would be apprieceated as i have just turned down 70sq mtr job.

Regards Vince.

hi vince. slate is pretty straight forward, first grade the slate from its thickest pieces to thinest. when laying use solid bed trowel ,back butter the slate and bed down start with thickest pieces first and grade back with thinner ones. i find lithofin slate seal best sealer to use but there are others on market. no need to seal first as long as you wash any adhesive of you go , seal before grout, wash till drys clean then seal again. good luck mate...

 

[Tugboattiler]

I got one coming up in a few weeks. 75 sq.m in a 4 tile pattern. Just out of interest what kind of price would you guys quote for it. (Labour only)

 

[DHTiling]

min £25 mtr

 

[Tugboattiler]

I charge that for ceramics, david.

 

[GazTech]

Use the thinner tiles for cutting into perimeter ,easier to cut and quicker,not walked on as much

 

[Varley]

Use the thinner tiles for cutting into perimeter ,easier to cut and quicker,not walked on as much

Good tip Gaz :wink_smile:

 

[guy1976]

tugboat for that pattern i would charge £40 a m on domestic and around £35 m comercial

 

[vince]

Is that just labour or adhesive, grout & sealer included
Vince.

 

[kapitan]

£35 to £40 labour only!!

 

[L & R CERAMICS]

have any of you got much work on charging them type of prices

 

[DevonR]

My advice is SEAL,SEAL,SEAL. Did you get that if not SEAL!.
The floor I did for a mate the other week he told me he would seal during the week to save some preperation time. I'm sure everyone on here would say I was mad for agreeing to let him do so, but agree I did. I supplied the sealer and gave the instruction as to what was required. Job went fine but cleaning afterwards was a bit of anightmare due to him not putting 2 coats on initially.
So once again, one last time with feeling SEAL!

:wink_smile:

 

[kapitan]

have any of you got much work on charging them type of prices

stacks of work m8 and i dont advertise!! :wink_smile:

 

[DHTiling]

stacks of work m8 and i dont advertise!! :wink_smile:

never a true word said kap same as you loaded to hilt, in need of hol how about you

 

[tony TLC]

all good advice on the slate tiling

 

[kapitan]

never a true word said kap same as you loaded to hilt, in need of hol how about you

workin 6 days flat out trying to keep everybody happy!! but should ease off come the summer hols then its time for ole kap to head of to sunny climes and rest ma weary bones!!

----

never a true word said kap same as you loaded to hilt, in need of hol how about you

workin 6 days flat out trying to keep everybody happy!! but should ease off come the summer hols then its time for ole kap to head off to sunny climes and rest ma weary bones!!

 

[Leatherface]

usually charge around £40 plus adhesive for 12" x 12" slate - sliding scale upwards for larger tiles.
Always grade first into 3 diff thickness bands. Clean with water prior to laying. If time permits seal once prior to fixing. Deffinately seal at least twice using LTP sealer..
I usually fix thickest pieces first and follow down to thinnest.
Any unusually thicknessed pieces - i.e really thick on one corner - don't worry about - once laid you can use a hammer and chisel to chip off a few layers to get rid of any proud bits.
Make sure you pay extra attention to cleaning the ridges on the tiles, this is where the grout will stick - will not always show until dry - then it is too late.

 

[DevonR]

Make sure you pay extra attention to cleaning the ridges on the tiles, this is where the grout will stick - will not always show until dry - then it is too late.

It's not too late, it just needs dynamite (and several back breaking hours to get rid) :sad_smile:

 

[Leatherface]

I know to my cost - just as I had started tiling - 3 yrs ago I had moved into my new house. Wife wanted slate tiles in the kitchen and hall - wasn't confident enough to do it myself so got a SLATE SPECIALIST from the local paper. He made an absoulte abortion of the job, grout not cleaned off properly, steps all over the place. Spacing from 2mm to 12mm. Cuts an absolute mess - a constant reminder of how not to do it.
Needless to say he wasn't paid - tried to take me to court but gave up. They will be ripped up this summer and re-done properly by myself.

 

[GazTech]

I know to my cost - just as I had started tiling - 3 yrs ago I had moved into my new house. Wife wanted slate tiles in the kitchen and hall - wasn't confident enough to do it myself so got a SLATE SPECIALIST from the local paper. He made an absoulte abortion of the job, grout not cleaned off properly, steps all over the place. Spacing from 2mm to 12mm. Cuts an absolute mess - a constant reminder of how not to do it.
Needless to say he wasn't paid - tried to take me to court but gave up. They will be ripped up this summer and re-done properly by myself.

wouldn't you rather get an expert in Leather,look what happened last time LOL:devil_smile:

 

[kapitan]

leather where you been m8??