Use two size trowels to build up/flatten? - Tile Advice

[paulf123]

I have a valley in the cement and am not willing to use self-levelling. Only maybe around 1/4" off and it's really only one strip of the floor. Seems like using a 1/4 X 3/8 for everywhere but a 1/2 X 1/2 for that line of tiles wouldn't be a bad idea to even things out. Is that a typical practice or do tilers just build up with extra back buttering?

Thanks!

 

[Steve6690]

How wide is this strip and what size tiles are you using ?

 

[paulf123]

Thanks for replying. Tiles are 13" X 13" the low strip is about that same width and about 8ft long.

 

[Steve6690]

Switching to a 1/2 x 1/2 trowel won't make up the difference on its own. If you're dead set against using slc you might try mixing up some adhesive and using a straight edge to fill in the low section with it. I think you'll find it easier to make the floor level with adhesive first and then tile as normal once you've made it flat. Back butter the tiles anyway regardless.

 

[Flintstone]

Why are you no willing to self level ? Pour it in and drag a straight edge over to fill the void, then your good to go. It's much more difficult to try and correct a bad surface with the tile adhesive.

 

[paulf123]

Why are you no willing to self level ? Pour it in and drag a straight edge over to fill the void, then your good to go. It's much more difficult to try and correct a bad surface with the tile adhesive.

From my understanding you need at least an inch of self level compound to work well that raises floor too much would have to deal with door and two transitions to wood.

 

[Steve6690]

An inch is a lot. You can literally put a 3mm skim of self levelling down to even out a floor if needed. There is a useful YouTube channel called Mryoucandoityourself where he demonstrates various techniques.

 

[paulf123]

Thanks again. I'm considering it I just don't want to buy extra hardware (screed, level edge) and because there are already cabinets and an island I'd need multiple sizes etc.

Tell me this though... there is still some asphaltic adhesive (think that's what it's called...cutback?) it's been scraped right down and I'm not willing to go further than that. Any point in a primer on top of that? The thinset I have is fortified.

Thx

 

[Steve6690]

Is it tile adhesive on the floor currently or was there a different type of floor covering down?

 

[paulf123]

There was vinyl roll and before that asbestos tiles. Scraped down to a paper back then below that black adhesive. Scraped down with blades as much as possible.

 

[paulf123]

Guess I can make a rake screed

 

[Steve6690]

If you're tiling onto old residues of unknown glues/adhesives it's probably best to seek a locally stocked levelling compound that's suitable for this application. I think Ardex make one. If you tile straight onto it with adhesive you run the risk of it de-bonding unfortunately.

 

[paulf123]

I used SIKA primer and self leveling compound combination is approved for installation over mostly removed adhesive. Regardless pretty sure I have now ruined my floor... looks worse than it was before the attempt ()%)(%#. There are ripples. I probably did not mix well enough as I was afraid of the short work time. I seemed to have to work it much more than just a pass with a screed like in videos. Partially because this isn't a plain rectangle it's a hallway with a doorway into the kitchen, cabinets and an island in-place. Pretty pissed at myself and not sure now what it's going to take to correct.

 

[Dumbo]

I used SIKA primer and self leveling compound combination is approved for installation over mostly removed adhesive. Regardless pretty sure I have now ruined my floor... looks worse than it was before the attempt ()%)(%#. There are ripples. I probably did not mix well enough as I was afraid of the short work time. I seemed to have to work it much more than just a pass with a screed like in videos. Partially because this isn't a plain rectangle it's a hallway with a doorway into the kitchen, cabinets and an island in-place. Pretty pissed at myself and not sure now what it's going to take to correct.

I think it's time for a few pictures so we can see what were working with

 

[paulf123]

I think it's time for a few pictures so we can see what were working with

I'll set aside my ego and attach them knowing full well there me be some laughs.

The coarse ares were clearly not properly mixed compound. Shouldn't be too hard for me to grind them down as well as other small places. The overall unevenness and the butchering of edges I think is the bigger problem.