SLC: Mixed Feelings

JazMan · 03-06-2012, 09:08 PM

Par, you were expecting efficiency? Kinda like ordering at the fast food place. Invariably most orders have an error.

Too bad there's no tile shops near you.

Jaz

almazon · 03-06-2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

Par, you were expecting efficiency? Kinda like ordering at the fast food place. Invariably most orders have an error.

Too bad there's no tile shops near you.

Jaz

Absolutely not! We have 2 of the biggest ones on Staten Island. Few blocks from me AND right across the street from each other.

Question is what am I looking for?

PS. Somehow I tend to believe that Home Depot is offering much lower price. In my area, I guess like in any other, is a LOT of ripoff going on top of very poor quality.

JazMan · 03-06-2012, 10:00 PM

Ah yes, you're on Staten Island. Most of their prices are good, that's right. (until they drive the competition out of business, then the price goes up). Just hard to find anyone that knows much about some of the specialized departments. They refuse to hire anyone that they can't keep for $8.

Jaz

almazon · 03-07-2012, 01:10 AM

Jaz,

Anyway, what should I look for in those stores?

JazMan · 03-07-2012, 11:57 AM

Quote:

what should I look for in those stores?

I don't know what the choices are. The idea was to get an SLC that wasn't rapid setting.

So, what are you gonna do now? Go see what the tile shops have, or just use the RS.

Jaz

almazon · 03-07-2012, 02:17 PM

Home Depot called today in the morning. They apologized for inconvenience and said that vendor made a mistake. I am not in the rush. I agreed to wait for correct one. I have 2 bathrooms left in my house.

mobiledynamics · 03-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Almazon. If the 2 tile stores are literrally a hairs breath a way, WHY not support the local tile shop.

I suppose price is a factor for some......but have you visited them, inquired about price.
Yes, there are quite a bldg supply stores I won't frequent as some have a prices 2X where they should be at.....but others are generally inline, have better product, better grade items and oftentimes *fresher products* to boot.

Support your local tile store if you can. I would...

almazon · 03-07-2012, 09:52 PM

Gee, man!
I really didn't want to discuss anything besides SLC.

Unless you're the owner of one of those stores (or both of them) and trying to promote them, I dont see why you advise me to support them.

I am sorry, but Price is the only and Number 1 factor for me.

There is no comparison between local shops and super centers. They would never match it to local Home Depot or Lowes. Atleast pricewise. As a matter of fact I went to one of those local stores and their tiles were double money compare to Home Depot's.

It appears to me that local stores are for real pros, like JazMan here. I am rather a Weekend Warrior. I do everything myself in my house (thanks to stores like Home Depot) except HVAC and Roofing. That I am leaving to pros!

Also keep in mind that we live in Internet Era. I'd love to shop around, but if I can not find something locally I am going online, where I am buying almost everything. Except maybe food, TVs, some furniture. Those I buy in places like Costco or Sams Club.

Salute!

JetSwet · 03-07-2012, 10:59 PM

When you do tile and flooring for a living you would understand that big box stores are over rated. It's a good thing to support your local stores no matter what kind of profession your in.

JazMan · 03-07-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

As a matter of fact I went to one of those local stores and their tiles were double money compare to Home Depot's.

I don't believe that is true at all. It's true that the big box store might have tiles that are half of what the tile shops sell, but they are not the same tiles.

You are less likely to find high quality tiles at the big box store. You will find lots of junk, and many very decent tiles, nothing high-end though. They could care less how your project works out long term.

Porcelain tiles of good quality will cost you $4-6 a ft. or so. Anything under $3 should be considered inexpensive. Those .79 cents tile should be avoided unless it's for a room you don't care much about. Real junk.

Jaz

mobiledynamics · 03-08-2012, 06:56 AM

If you're doing a home bathroom project in need or good mortar with fresh dates, Granirapid, 254, Hydroban, Aqua Defense, Noble Seal, etc - all things that will make a successful installation should you need said products, you will find it at a supply shop. The local mom-pop shop is already a dying breed. I try to support them when I can . They probably have bags of non rapid setting SLC as is already......

almazon · 04-05-2012, 12:54 AM

Hey guys,

I finally got my LevelQuik ES. Actually I got it long time ago. About 1 week after my last post of March 8th. Its just I had to finish some other more important projects.

Anyway, I have few questions and I really need your advices.

I found out that when I applied SLC first time I slightly went over my markings, so the highest point now is about 3/16-1/4 above.

1.I guess my best bet this time would be pouring SLC from unfinished side first and then slowly work it towards and over first layer?

2. Should I go up to new or old markings?

3.How leveled the floor supposed to be? Is the tile suppose to lay completely flat? Is little free play allowable?

4.Can I fix slightly unleveled floor situation with thinset when laying down the tiles?

I thought I will mark layout, pre-cut the tiles and then start laying them down from the highest point, making sure they leveled and adding more thinset underneath. Will it work?

5.When you say I should work fast, what do you mean by that and how fast?

6.What tools would you recommend? Will 16x4 Finishing Trowel that I have do the job?

Thank you in advance,
almazon

JazMan · 04-05-2012, 09:02 PM

Ok, back to it.

It's easy to mess up if you're not careful. Although it's called "self leveling", it does NOT get level by its self.

1. I don't know, you decide.

2. I don't know, you decide.

3. As flat as possible. A tile will rock if it's not flat within its space. The floor needs to be flat within 1/16" in 12".

4. If you have the experience to do that, minor adjustments can be done. But you won't know until after the tile is set if required. This is why you're using self-leveling, it'll come out pretty close to flat.

Quote:

I thought I will mark layout, pre-cut the tiles and then start laying them down from the highest point, making sure they leveled and adding more thinset underneath. Will it work?

Why do all that extra work? What are the chances that you'll set them in exactly the same spot the second time? Thinset mortar is not for leveling. You know, it's not a crime to not be able to install tiles yourself.

5. What does it say on the bags? The humidity, temp and wind also influence how much time you have.

6. What do you need a trowel for? You don't use a trowel with self leveling.
You can use a long squeegee or a rake made for this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACexRuifg18 There are dozen of other videos, take a look.

Jaz

almazon · 04-08-2012, 02:03 AM

Happy Easter, people!

I just poured second layer of SLC and I am very happy with the results. Oh, yeah, this time it was like a Chocolate Milk, very watery and loose. I used slightly more water, 6.5 L instead of 6.1 L.

This time I also used NIOSH Mask, Squeegee (still not sure if its the right one), ES and different Paddle:

After I primed the surface I saw how bad it was for the 1st time:

I marked the level where it should go up to (bottom of blue tape)...

...and all lower points:

And finally poured:

I wish I could do it right from the beginning. Lets see how it will be together with the 1st layer. I will keep you posted.

TIA,
almazon

almazon · 04-09-2012, 09:31 PM

Well, guys,

My second pour with ES is perfect (dark concrete on this picture):

but I think I messed up when I poured first time with the RS. Its not THAT bad but in couple of places tile has a free play.

What are my options?
What would you do?

Pour again but this time all bathroom?
Grind high spots?
Play with thinset when laying tiles?

I really need your advices,
almazon