U
Unregistered
Hi all,
I'm hoping someone can either reassure me or provide some guidance on tiling outdoors.
So we're in the middle of a building project and using porcelain tiles to run through the kitchen, through bi fold doors and on to a patio to create a continuous surface.
The builder has put slot drains in against the bi fold and along the centre of the concrete slab.
He's done the slab in more than one pour, so there are low spots, and changes in level, but it's around 100mm thick. It's also pretty muddy now. The levels need to come up by around 10-20mm across around 10sqm.
Ordinarily, I'm guessing you'd use a self levelling compound and then tile over, however outside, I'm concerned about frost getting under the tiles and/or under any layers that are added on top of the concrete. I'm trying to avoid a scenario where in a couple of years' time, all the tiles outside start to blow due to frost.
So my question is - can you use some form of mortar/self-leveller to correct the levels, before adding the tile adhesive? The tiles are 600mm x 600mm x 8mm, so would be especially prone to cracking. Also is there a special grout/adhesive/preparation the builder should be using?
Finally, there is a hot tub being put on the patio after it's finished, which will weigh around 2.5 tonnes.
Of course the worst case scenario is the builder breaks the slab up and does it in a single pour to the right level.
Would massively appreciate any advice you can give me!
Thanks,
Ed
I'm hoping someone can either reassure me or provide some guidance on tiling outdoors.
So we're in the middle of a building project and using porcelain tiles to run through the kitchen, through bi fold doors and on to a patio to create a continuous surface.
The builder has put slot drains in against the bi fold and along the centre of the concrete slab.
He's done the slab in more than one pour, so there are low spots, and changes in level, but it's around 100mm thick. It's also pretty muddy now. The levels need to come up by around 10-20mm across around 10sqm.
Ordinarily, I'm guessing you'd use a self levelling compound and then tile over, however outside, I'm concerned about frost getting under the tiles and/or under any layers that are added on top of the concrete. I'm trying to avoid a scenario where in a couple of years' time, all the tiles outside start to blow due to frost.
So my question is - can you use some form of mortar/self-leveller to correct the levels, before adding the tile adhesive? The tiles are 600mm x 600mm x 8mm, so would be especially prone to cracking. Also is there a special grout/adhesive/preparation the builder should be using?
Finally, there is a hot tub being put on the patio after it's finished, which will weigh around 2.5 tonnes.
Of course the worst case scenario is the builder breaks the slab up and does it in a single pour to the right level.
Would massively appreciate any advice you can give me!
Thanks,
Ed