Pocster Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) I’ve watched numerous videos on tiling a floor . Do you / should you back butter ? Some videos do - some don’t ! Back of most tiles are fairly level and no obvious voids . Also some just twist the tile down ( can’t see how that works except for the 1st tile ) - some lay square then gentle rubber mallet tap ..... I’m guessing there is no right way ? Just a choice of approaches ?? Edited November 10, 2020 by pocster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I’ve tilers that work for me and while wall tiling I would leave it to reference Floors must be back buttered There was no need to back butter years back when I first started tiling But we would mix the grout very wet and pour it on the floor Which would fill all the voids 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I didn’t back butter the kitchen floor and it sounds hollow, didn’t back butter the conservatory floor or hallway and they are fine (I do suspect the adhesive was off for the kitchen tho ?). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 11 minutes ago, joe90 said: I didn’t back butter the kitchen floor and it sounds hollow, didn’t back butter the conservatory floor or hallway and they are fine (I do suspect the adhesive was off for the kitchen tho ?). A hollow sounding tile isn’t the end of the world and will still outlast most floor covering It only really commercial premises that this could become a problem 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 Floors back buttered it is then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 5 minutes ago, nod said: A hollow sounding tile isn’t the end of the world and will still outlast most floor covering yes but the grout is failing in some places also, just can’t bring myself to rip it up as the new kitchen is installed on it and all the skirting. It’s on my (if I live long enough) to do list ?. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted November 10, 2020 Author Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, joe90 said: yes but the grout is failing in some places also, just can’t bring myself to rip it up as the new kitchen is installed on it and all the skirting. It’s on my (if I live long enough) to do list ?. Could you not just mix watery grout and tip it Ali g the grout line ? . Once that sets re grout ? . Are you being lazy ?? Spell check really “ all along “ becomes “ Ali g “ !!! Edited November 10, 2020 by pocster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 I've never backbuttered tiles but am always happy to be educated. Is the reason it's done to fill all gaps? Wouldn't using a notched trowel allow that to happen pretty much when the tiles are pressed down? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) Sorry if its obvious but the ridges of adhesive formed by a notched trowel allow you adjust the height and level the tiles. Ideally they should be squashed down until most of the gaps have gone but I like to make use of them to get all the tiles as level as possible with their neighbours. To do that I have a large rubber faced block that my dad called a "Blat" that looks a bit like a float. You used to be able to buy them but I made my last one. Edited November 10, 2020 by Temp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted November 10, 2020 Share Posted November 10, 2020 (edited) I forgot to back butter the tiles when I did the wet room corner. Tbh I needn't have worried as they're solider than a solid thing. No hollows or nothing. Mind the surface was super flat. Think I used a 10mm notch and fully covered the tile backs. I did back butter the rest of the floor tiles mind. My biggest issue tbh was the fact I used too much adhesive I think. Probably squeezed more out that is left behind the tiles! If only I'd have used a levelling system... Edited November 10, 2020 by Onoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now