Cpl a mosaic floor tile questions
andybuildz
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Laying down some 3/4″ mosaic tiles tomorrow on a 3 1/2′ x 7′ shower floor I just Kerdied today over the preslope I poured last week.
I musta done this dozens of times but I don’t think I ever asked anyone their opinions so here goes…..
Two questions.
One: I’m laying the floor tile first before my wall tiles. After I put down the mosaic floor I’ll cover it over with 2-3 layers of clean drop clothes and some carboard I can stand on while I work on my wall tiles.
Think it’s a good idea to grout the floor first or wait…and grout after everythings done?
I’m inclined as usual to wait and do it all at once but wondered if anyone had a different opinion…
Two: what notch size trowel is all ya’llz prefered size for 3/4″ ceramic mosaics.
I usually use a 1/4 x 1/4 sq notch. Yay? Nay?
I just HATE when too much pokey, pokes it’s head through View Image
I usually use a 1/4 x 1/4 sq notch. Yay? Nay?
I just HATE when too much pokey, pokes it’s head through View Image
I attached a cpl of pic b/4 I kerdied with a few tiles layed down dry…
Replies
grout the floor first or wait
Don't you caulk the wall-floor joint? I think it would be easier to grout the floor, then tile the walls, then grout the walls, then caulk the joint. I am always nervous standing on ungrouted tiles.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Thats EXACTLY what I was thinking which was why I asked. I too was thinking it'd hold the tiles together better while I worked on top of them.
When the walls are done I'll caulk all the inside corners then grout the walls.
Thanks for verifying what I was thinking.
In the past I have worked on top of a finished shower floor covered over really well but I think grouting first is the way to go. I might put some blue painters tape over a cpl of layers of red rosin paper first to be SURE no thinset gets under my drop cloths.
Thanks again
Glad I don't have to set my wet saw up today in the snow : )
I better get outta here.........see ya~~~~~~~~~~~
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
I caulk the inside corners before grouting, so it forms a keyed-in gasket instead of laying on top of the grout. So my process would be to grout the floor, tile the walls, caulk the inside corners, then grout the walls.See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
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Thats exactly what my plan is Ted. I thinset down my mosaic floor today. The end of the day tomorrow I'll grout it. I have tile work to do in the main part of the room so I'll give the shower floor Friday Sat Sun for the grout cure. Monday I'll use some blue painters tape and tape down a cpl of layers of red rosin paper then a few layers of drop cloths before I start the walls.
When it's all tiled I'll caulk all my inside corners then grout...then seal...then tell my customers to take a shower : )
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Sounds like you put the floor down already.............I'v try a v notch first, then a worn out 1/4 notch. Tricky with those little tiles.
What did you use?
I'm curious about that bench.
If all you need is a seat, why not a stone slab let into the substrate and tiled around.
Lots (ral lots) less work and no waterproofing worries.
Eric
Hi eric. I offered them the option of a slab seat but they wanted them with fronts.
There's one on both sides of the shower if you look in the pic.
The mosaics were 1" not 3/4" like I said in my first post. I tried a 3/16" V notch first today but smoothed that over and went with 1/4" x 1/4" sq notch. I felt more comfortable getting more mud under them. No pokey popped through either so I reckon that was a perfect size.
I do wish I had other sized V notch trowels. Fou suppliers including HD and everyone has pretty much the same sizes 3/16 x 5/32 V notch...1/8 x 1/8 V notch...and Kerdi calls for either a 1/8 x 1/8 SQUARE notch or 3/16 X 1/4 I think it was none of which I could find anymore. I don't remember whereI found it the other times. I used the 3/16 x 5/32 which worked fine. I called and spoke to a rep.
I think I'm gonna look on line for more varieties of V notch trowels. I must have over a dozen trowels in my tile bucket too.
I'm not real fond of laying mosaics but it came out pretty good for such a big shower floor. The Kerdi does make it a bit easier n/c you tend to have a smoother surface to work on.
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Okay, then uhh... Glad I could help. :)See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
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I just doubt myself all the time...lol
http://www.cliffordrenovations.com
http://www.ramdass.org
Yeah, me 2.
Nice shower by the way. See my work at TedsCarpentry.comBuy Cheap Tools! BuildersTools.net
If you haven't already done so, please update your profile. Since many issues are dependant on the region in which you work, we often look at your profile to see where you are writing from.