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Few Qs: tiling a bathroom: Ditra, layout of tile, kerdi-band

8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  lazzlazz 
#1 · (Edited)
I want to tile a bathroom & will likely use Ditra to keep the height as low as possible (currently, it's carpeted - I didn't do that).

It's a bathroom so not large floor - L-shaped, about 45 sq ft. 2nd floor so OSB subfloor. As I understand, I can put the Ditra right over the OSB; I don't need a layer of plywood (& don't want extra height). This is a 14 year old house & subfloor is in good condition, I think (haven't ripped up the carpeting yet, but it was fine in a large closet off the bathroom).

The entry is about midway in the long leg of the L. The long leg is about 4 feet wide, so I'll have to cut a little of each tile off in one row. I'm assuming I should have a full tile against the wall you're looking at as you go in (if I do 1 foot by 2 foot, I'll then have almost 4 tiles going across - I run the 2 foot length of the tile with the long leg of the L), and have the cut tile along the wall that the door is in. I'm figuring this is best because the tiles that run along the wall with the door aren't as noticeable.

There's a shower at one end of the L - I was wondering about trying to waterproof there (Kerdi-band?), but that would mean ripping off baseboards which are almost certainly glued to the sheet rock. We tend to dry off before stepping out of shower, but still, some water might get out. Is it better to deal with the headache of ripping off baseboards & waterproof, or skip the waterproofing?

One more question: I tend to like smaller grout lines. What's the smallest I can do with 1 foot x 2 foot vs. 1 foot x 1 foot tiles? Thanks!
 
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#4 ·
Lazz,

Bathroom floors are rarely waterproofed to contain water and would require you to seal all holes and build a curb in the doorway. It's hard to do and not necessary.

Be sure to use a modified mortar to install Ditra to your OSB. If your OSB is in good shape and 3/4" t&g on 16" centers, you should be good.

As Mike mentioned, make sure the floor is flat, those tiles will not bend. All tiles are likely to have some warpage, large tiles will have more. It's recommended that you offset the tiles by 1/3, not 1/2. This will minimize any warpage. I agree you can go as little as 1/8" grout spaces if the tiles are high quality and rectified.

Jaz
 

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#2 ·
Lots of questions ----I'll leave the Schluter questions for someone that uses it regularly.

How are you going to tile without removing the base boards?

12 x 24 tiles require a completely flat floor----dead flat---so plan on leveling the floor and using leveling clips----also check the tiles for flatness----often tiles are not flat but the slight outage is not noticeable---
Minimum grout line--1/8"---with those tiles I suggest 3/16----
 
#5 ·
How are you going to tile without removing the base boards?

12 x 24 tiles require a completely flat floor----dead flat---so plan on leveling the floor and using leveling clips----also check the tiles for flatness----often tiles are not flat but the slight outage is not noticeable---
Minimum grout line--1/8"---with those tiles I suggest 3/16----
About the baseboards: I may have to remove them. But they were installed fairly high above the carpet, so I may not. I was thinking I'd put the tile right up to the baseboard to make sure I can grout, & then use some quarter round to hide the gap. Probably better to remove them, hmm, so I can make sure the ditra & tile adheres well? Groan. Why do people think you need to glue baseboards to the wall??

I may need to rethink the 1 foot x 2 foot tiles. The floor seems pretty level, but the real test comes when I pull up the carpet & check. I guess 1 foot x 1 foot would be easier in many ways.
 
#3 ·
In conclusion to your other post.... there are only 3 reasons that ditra will fail.

Not filling in the waffles ontop of the membrane with thinset before trowling.

Unproper substrate and or subfloor

Using incorrect thinset wile laying the ditra.

There is a booklet that come with ditra and if you don't read and follow it regardless if you have tiled before will end up in dire straights.

You have to understand what is holding your floor up and if its adequate for tile.
 
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