Ceramic tile in basment

blk90s13 · 04-08-2009, 01:39 PM

I read and read and read but did not find anything to answer my question

Do I have to use self leveling ? the slab concrete floor I have now is in ok shape but have little dips and holes from the old carpet nails mostly around the walls and in door entrances

what type of morter should I use to lay the tiles down ? I know I dont have to put a sub floor down as most of the threads on here say so

wanna see pictures ? the basment will have the same tile through out a roughly 900 sq/ft area

Please dont mind the colors on the stairs it will be sanded down and stained I am using a dark charcoal / black tile

Bob Mariani · 04-08-2009, 02:30 PM

Use modified thinset to set the tile. Best to first coat the concrete with an cleavage membrane. a membrane is advised due to the cracking potential of concrete - and the resultant "telegraphing" into the tile installation. You could use Ditra for this but there are cheaper options that will work fine if you floor is not already showing major cracking. Clean the floor thoroughly. No need for a subfloor to set tile on concrete.

blk90s13 · 04-08-2009, 02:41 PM

Yea the floor will be vacummed and them mopped a couple of times till it shines

I am not sure what a cleavage membrane is tho can I just ask for it by name in the local home depot ?

Is a modified thinset some what a self leveling and mortar in one ? sorry I need a little more details

Thanks for all your help

Bob Mariani · 04-08-2009, 02:46 PM

modified thinset is thinset mixed with a latex additive to increase flexibility. It will not work like self leveling compounds. You will only need these if you have larger dips. For smaller dips the thinset, which is like concrete will easily float these out and fill small holes. Buy your supplies from a tile supplier not HD... Ditra is available at HD but only in smaller rolls. Noble and CS make membranes also.

JazMan · 04-08-2009, 04:13 PM

Thanks for the laugh..........

You asked; "I am not sure what a cleavage membrane is tho can I just ask for it by name in the local home depot ?"

You don't know how funny that is. If you asked someone at those big box stores that question, they might laugh too and then think you were the one that didn't know anything?

Jaz

blk90s13 · 04-08-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

Thanks for the laugh..........

You asked; "I am not sure what a cleavage membrane is tho can I just ask for it by name in the local home depot ?"

You don't know how funny that is. If you asked someone at those big box stores that question, they might laugh too and then think you were the one that didn't know anything?

Jaz

What ?

Bob Mariani is trying to set me up imagine it was a woman working the store and I go up to her and say I am looking to get some CLEAVAGE MEMBRANE

Bob Mariani · 04-08-2009, 04:32 PM

Jaz and others.. was not trying to be mean or funny.. this time... read this one..
http://www.tileusa.com/loose-crackedtile_faq.htm

Jaz this is a typical discussion and material used on TCA... you I thought would know this one for sure.

blk90s13 · 04-08-2009, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Mariani

Jaz and others.. was not trying to be mean or funny.. this time... read this one..
http://www.tileusa.com/loose-crackedtile_faq.htm

Jaz this is a typical discussion and material used on TCA... you I thought would know this one for sure.

Great info thanks for the link Bob.

R&D Tile · 04-08-2009, 06:09 PM

Nothing wrong with thinset from HD, Versabond and Flexbond are very good, if there are no cracks in that slab, tile directly with Flexbond if you like, if cracks, yes, use a crack isolation membrane, there are many out there.

blk90s13 · 04-08-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R&D Tile

Nothing wrong with thinset from HD, Versabond and Flexbond are very good, if there are no cracks in that slab, tile directly with Flexbond if you like, if cracks, yes, use a crack isolation membrane, there are many out there.

hair pin crack in one area the slab is as old as the house which was build in 1953

Bob Mariani · 04-08-2009, 07:17 PM

Then you can just tile over the concrete as is after a good cleaning.

JazMan · 04-08-2009, 09:57 PM

Bob,

Are you trying to teach me something about tiles? I don't think so. I was in the tile biz before you were born. And, it's now officially TCNA.

Jaz

Bob Mariani · 04-09-2009, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

Bob,

Are you trying to teach me something about tiles? I don't think so. I was in the tile biz before you were born. And, it's now officially TCNA.

Jaz

Of course I am not. But I posted what think was correct and if you disagree, I post why I think it is right. Why? I am always learning. And you can learn many wrong things in this industry as well as read many incorrect things. So I am going back and forth with you as the obvious teacher in this and refining my own knowledge base on these matters. And I would not want to repeat any mistakes in future posts. So pick on my posts as much as needed. It can only help to make things clearer and increase my knowledge and other that of other members reading these threads.