Help with laying floor tile on thinset
Hey folks, can you give me some advice? It seems that every time that I lay ceramic floor tile (6×6, 8×8, etc.), I struggle to lay the tiles nice and level with the adjoining tiles. I do use thinset. Even when the beginning surface is perfectly flat, sometimes a tile edge or corner rides higher (or lower) than the next one (I then discover these discrepancies when I am ready to grout!!). I am using the appropriate notched trowel for the given tile size. Once I trowel on the thinset, I set the tile, and gently twist it to make the bond. Should I be seating the tile with more pressure? What gives? What am I missing? As always, thanks a bunch for the advice.
Replies
It is of great help to have tiling straight edges (they're aluminum with an "L" cross section...my set consists of lengths from 12" through 72") and a rubber mallet or the handle end of a hammer to gently make adjustments.
You are probably not holding the trowel at a consistent angle throughout the job causing more thinset to be left behind in some places and less in others which would cause the tiles to sit a little off. Take extra time and pay attention to the angle you are holding the trowel. If your substrate is perfectly flat and you "set" the tiles the same way every time you should get better results. Also...follow the advise on getting straightedges...they definitely help.
Richie