Can't get cement boards level

SCarolina · 11-17-2012, 11:37 AM

I'm installing tile floors for the first time. My subfloor is level, but as I lay my hardibacker I can't get the seams to level. They are perfect until I start to screw down the boards, then they shift up and down at random. Most of them are barely off, but one is almost 1/4" off. I'm assuming that's a big problem.

Before I lay tile, how can I make the boards level again at the seams?

**oh'mike** · 11-17-2012, 11:47 AM

What are you using for tile backer? Are you bedding it in thinset?

JazMan · 11-17-2012, 11:53 AM

Quote:

but one is almost 1/4" off.

That's not possible. Are you missing a pencil or something?

What specific board. which screws or nails, thinset? Thinset under the board, what size trowel, are you fastening from center out or diagonally?

Jaz

SCarolina · 11-17-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

That's not possible. Are you missing a pencil or something?

What specific board. which screws or nails, thinset? Thinset under the board, what size trowel, are you fastening from center out or diagonally?

Jaz

Hardibacker 1/2" board....thinset under the board with 1/4" notched trowel, hardibacker 1 5/8" screws...center out

SCarolina · 11-17-2012, 12:16 PM

So far I've laid 5 boards and only one seam of one of them is significantly out of level. Could I use patch and leveler to make it less dramatic?

JazMan · 11-17-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

So far I've laid 5 boards and only one seam of one of them is significantly out of level. Could I use patch and leveler to make it less dramatic?

No. You are not painting or laying vinyl, you are installing ceramic tiles which do not bend much. The floor needs to be flat.

Either the floor was not flat to start, or you created the hump while installing the boards. I bet the board lifted as you were driving the screws which can easily happen with Hardie. Is the problem along an entire seam or just near a screw?

Jaz

SCarolina · 11-17-2012, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

No. You are not painting or laying vinyl, you are installing ceramic tiles which do not bend much. The floor needs to be flat.

Either the floor was not flat to start, or you created the hump while installing the boards. I bet the board lifted as you were driving the screws which can easily happen with Hardie. Is the problem along an entire seam or just near a screw?

Jaz

Correct, the board lifted as I was screwing. The separation is roughly 1/2 of the 5-foot length of board.

Each board rose slightly as I was installing screws, but fell back to level as I tightened. This one seam refuses to go back down. I removed the screws and installed them again about an inch away from each original hole and that didn't solve the problem.

JazMan · 11-18-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCarolina

Correct, the board lifted as I was screwing. The separation is roughly 1/2 of the 5-foot length of board.

Each board rose slightly as I was installing screws, but fell back to level as I tightened. This one seam refuses to go back down. I removed the screws and installed them again about an inch away from each original hole and that didn't solve the problem.

Well OK. I guess you knew what was happening but missed this section. Go ahead and cut this part out and redo it.

Jaz

joecaption · 11-18-2012, 08:29 PM

If you predrill the holes with a masonery drill that will not happen.

11-17-2012, 11:37 AM	#1
SCarolina Newbie Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	Can't get cement boards level I'm installing tile floors for the first time. My subfloor is level, but as I lay my hardibacker I can't get the seams to level. They are perfect until I start to screw down the boards, then they shift up and down at random. Most of them are barely off, but one is almost 1/4" off. I'm assuming that's a big problem. Before I lay tile, how can I make the boards level again at the seams?

11-17-2012, 11:47 AM	#2
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,748	Can't get cement boards level What are you using for tile backer? Are you bedding it in thinset? __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

11-17-2012, 12:16 PM	#5
SCarolina Newbie Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 4	Can't get cement boards level So far I've laid 5 boards and only one seam of one of them is significantly out of level. Could I use patch and leveler to make it less dramatic?

11-18-2012, 08:29 PM	#9
joecaption Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Hartfield VA Posts: 18,819	Can't get cement boards level If you predrill the holes with a masonery drill that will not happen.

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Can't get cement boards level