Installing Slate Floor Tile

[rcecale]

Originally posted by SLO-BOB
Randy, just checking in to see the progress. Nice work! The tile is exactly the same as ours.

Maybe you mentioned it earlier, but what is going around the perimeter?

Bob,

Here's a better answer to your question. The plan is to run a border of 6" x 6" tiles around the entire area.

These are just set in place for now. Wanted to lay them out and arrange them so the colors were fairly evenly spaced.









Randy

[SLO-BOB]

Hey, I like that. Nice touch!

[trekkor]

Celebrate, good times, C'mon!!


KT

[azasadny]

Looks great!!!

[rcecale]

Making progress...slowly, but surely. As slow as I move with this stuff, it sure is a good thing I'm not making a living doing it.

Border tiles set in place with thinset curing. Will most likely be applying the first of two coats of sealer tomorrow.








Randy

[JavaBrewer]

Heck of a nice Job!! Remember the pro's usually have a couple young (cheap and unexperienced) guys around to carry heavy stuff and mix mortor. They can do a job like this in 3 days - probably less. I've never been a fan of slate but your work is inspiring. I did the same border tile install on our 1/2 bath using 6x6 Mexican Notce

[Moneyguy1]

Holmes on Homes recently had an episode with a slate floor and the tile man sealed it with a thin epoxy product. Looked fantastic!!

[rcecale]

David, your floor is beautiful!!! I love the thresholds between the rooms, did you hand lay those yourself, or were those pre-made pieces? If you did those manually, yourself, you're a tiling god! Heck, from the the pics of the work you've posted, this floor, your fireplace, etc, I think you just may have reached that level anyway!

Randy

[Moses]

That slate floor is looking great!

KT, any chance you could offer advice on a "failed" limestone floor? The installers forgot to backfill the 2" channels left from the wood slats when they floated the floor. Now there are cracks running the length of the floor over the "empty" channels.

[trekkor]

Originally posted by Moses

KT, any chance you could offer advice on a "failed" limestone floor? The installers forgot to backfill the 2" channels left from the wood slats when they floated the floor. Now there are cracks running the length of the floor over the "empty" channels.

Are "they" willing to correct the problem?

Yes, I have a solution that will solve the problem.

It is not a very popular one, though.


it involves removing a tile and a half on each side of the crack.That could mean a path four tiles wide, depending on the location of the crack.
Remove all the thinset to the float.
vaccum like a madman

Skim coat the float and screed voids with acrylic modified thinset.
You will need to use a crack isolation/supression membrane over the voids and beyond one and one half tile distance in both directions.

I like to apply the membrane over floated exterior decks as a preventitive measure.


Your installer should "handle" this.


KT

[Moses]

Thanks, KT. I'll give him a call.

[trekkor]

Contractor's in Cal. have to guarantee their work for 10 years.

i do the lifetime thing...


KT

[rcecale]

I'm speechless!!! Well, almost...

Just applied the first coat of sealer to the tiles...





The colors! The textures! These pics don't even do them justice!!! I am just simply amazed!!!

Randy

[trekkor]

Which sealer did you choose?

Looking good.

Way to go.


KT

[rcecale]

KT,

I used C-Cure Pro Enhancing Sealer on the floor. C-Cure is the same company that made my thinset and also the grout I intend to use. They're based out of Seal Beach, CA.



Jay,

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Coming from a craftsman such as you, it really means a lot. I really can't believe how this floor is turning out. As I mentioned earlier, the colors and the textures are just jumping off the tiles since I've applied the sealer.

Just applied the second coat this evening and it's developing quite a shine to it.

Randy

[rcecale]

Finally!!! Got the floor grouted today! KT, your tip on sealing the tile to prevent the grout from sticking to it was spot on!!! I thank you...but even more, my wife thanks you!

I used a grout bag to work the grout in. My wife followed along behind me with the floats and sponges, working the grout lines. I lost count of how many times she mentioned how great the tip of sealing the tiles was.

She wanted to do it, so she ended up working the grout for the entire area. She did a fantastic job. She's really quite a perfectionist, and very meticulous. The grout lines look like a real professional did them.

I'll post pics of the job tomorrow.

KT, I have another question regarding the sealer.

I applied the second coat of sealer Monday evening. It should have had ample time to dry. When I stepped onto it this morning, I found I was leaving tread marks from my shoes marks in it. Also, I could rub it with my fingers and it would leave marks...scuff marks

It's a one part sealer...nothing to mix. Is there something I did wrong? When I applied it, I let it set and then wiped it off with a dry cloth. Perhaps I didn't wait long enough before buffing it out?

Randy

[trekkor]

Glad it is all working out for you.

I'm not sure on the sealer.

The one I like, dries immediately. Solvent based.

I hope the sealer you used cures for you.
You don't want to get into stripping and resealing.


KT

[trekkor]

Did you let the grout cure for three days prior to that last coat of sealer?


KT

[rcecale]

Originally posted by trekkor
Did you let the grout cure for three days prior to that last coat of sealer?


KT

I just got the grout on today.

I did two coats of sealer this past Monday. One in the AM and one in the PM. The floor had been just sitting there since then. Stepped on it this morning and saw the marks.

Figured I would let the grout cure until probably tuesday evening and then hit it with another coat of sealer, then again Wednesday evening, and then moving the washer and dryer back in there next weekend.

Thanks for all your advice!

Randy

[rcecale]

Only a few more wipe-downs and the floor should be ready for more sealer. The water is only slightly dirty after wiping down the whole room now.

Here are a few shots from after the most recent wipe-down.






Randy