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Tips & Techniques

Leveling Big Tiles: Tips and Tricks

Issue 254 - Oct/Nov 2015

I used to have difficulty trying to level large tiles. I tried tile-leveling spacers, but I stopped using them out of frustration. Then while laying some 19-in. by 19-in. porcelain tiles, I realized that all I needed was a hook to lift a tile that was sitting low. In the trash, I found a piece of 12-ga. cable, stripped its end, and bent one of the wires into a little hook. I made a loop on the other end of the wire in the same direction as the hook so that I would know which way the hook was facing. I slipped the wire between the tiles, made a quarter turn so the hook was under the tile, and lifted. The 12-ga. wire with that small hook was strong enough to pull the tile level without a problem. Once I pulled the low tile up to level, I bent the wire over and taped it to the adjacent tile until the thinset cured.

— Vincent C. Pirrone, Sparks, NV

Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #254

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  1. bobbomax | Jan 26, 2019 04:13pm | #1

    Seems like this approach risks inadequate thinset coverage in the corner that's lifted. Might work on a wall, but it seems ill-advised on a floor.

  2. User avater
    cocarpenter | Jan 26, 2019 07:28pm | #2

    I have the same concerns as Bobbomax, seems like it could create an air pocket that would sound hollow and make the tile more fragile.

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