Bathroom remodel floor levelling problem

Jerrys84

Hello,

I;ve been working on an entire remodel of my bathroom. I got my subfloor all sturdy and level and today moved on thos putting the hardbacker board down for the floor tile. Having never worke with thinset before i followed instruction and made two batches, one for each board i was putting down (bathrrom floor only about 22 square feet).

I now have two uneven backer boards on the floor. the difference is prolly about an 1/8 of an inch at the worst spots. Can I make up that difference when I put the tile down (I presume a thicker layer of thinset) or am I in worse shape than that? Any advice would be appreciated, its the first time ive worked with thinset.

oh'mike

You learned the hard way---1/8" is a lit to make up with thinset---You might need a batch of self leveling compound if it's a larger area---or Ardex Feather Finish if the area is small---

Use a long straight edge to check for flatness----flat is good---level is nice but not really as important as flat.

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Jerrys84

Thanks for your reply Mike.

Whered I go wrong? Just poor thinsetting? Also, I think the second batch was more wet, I think it was better to work with. Its 3 feet or some of unevenness. Is there a self levelling compound you can recommend? Thank you.

oh'mike

Mixing thinset takes a bit of practice---all batches must be the same consistency--learn the sound of your mixer and the torque in your hand--

Heck--on a 22 foot floor--pre cut the tiles---and make one batch---

I use Jifset----have for over 20 years---always liked it---however,there are many other good brands---most require priming the floor first--

Jifset can be mixed with Linewebers liquid latex--so not priming is needed with that one---but the latex is a bit expensive---

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joecaption

Did you use a toothed trowl to spread the thin set or just spread it out flat?
How did you fasten the tile board to the floor?

Jerrys84

I used a quarter inch trowel and used screws specified for cementboard. The biggest differece I would say off the top of my head is that between the two batches of thinset, the first was dryer.

Since its dried a bit I went in with a 4 foot level. Some areas are level, others the difference is only very noticeable and the seam where the two pieces join, and at one spot there is a fulcrum at the joint (dammit).

Jerrys84

Also, given the small area, I would have definately used the same batch of thinset (I precut the board), however I ran through it a lot quicker than expected

oh'mike

If you have just a small high seam--it could be ground dom or even crushed and replaced with some thinset---

Remember flat is best--

Some minor adjustment can be made with the setting material---Mike---

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Jerrys84

My next step was supposed to be putting a coat of redgard on the floor.

With that in mind, should I make a batch of thinset and just try to smooth out inconsistencies?

Also, you mention grinding it or crushing it. Can you please speak a little more about that (tools, technique, goals etc.) Thanks again.

oh'mike

I'd need to see the high area to give accurate advice---but here goes anyway.

A 4" angle grinder is a cheap and handy tool for tile work---get a cup style grinding stone or a fancy diamond one (if you want a lifetime cup) and simply grind away at the ridges----seal the area with some thinset and you are good--

Crushing the rock---if you have a small ridge or bubble caused by some missed debris---tap on the rock gently in the affected area and soon enough the soft material will crumble---then cut the mesh--vacuum up the crumbs---fill the small area with thinset or feather finish----

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Jerrys84

Ok, so I got some self levelling compound (the patch kind) and put it down. I used a random orbital sander to get the seam into order, and the floor is much better. I intend to put another small batch down to level out the remaining problem areas. I think I may be on my way, thanks for the advice.