Specialising in all aspects of tiling and waterproofing
in Cairns and the surrounding areas
in Cairns and the surrounding areas
CALL US TODAY: 0404 348 052
FAQ
Got a question about tiles? At Touchstone Tiling Services (NQ) we endeavour to answer all of your tile-related questions here. From the services we provide to the style and design, you can count on our team to keep you well informed. If you have a query not answered on this page, please don't hesitate to call us.
1. Do I need small tiles to create falls in a bathroom shower base?
2. Why do tilers charge more to lay rectified edge tiles?
3. Why does my tiler charge for slab preparation before installing new tiles?
4. What is tile lippage and how do I prevent it?
5. Why are my tiles lifting?
2. Why do tilers charge more to lay rectified edge tiles?
3. Why does my tiler charge for slab preparation before installing new tiles?
4. What is tile lippage and how do I prevent it?
5. Why are my tiles lifting?
1
Do I need small tiles to create falls in a bathroom shower base?
Not necessarily. An experienced tiler can get falls with a 600 x 600mm tile, or even with bigger tiles! It all comes down to some forethought regarding the layout of the shower floor, position of the floor waste, and the topping of the shower base. A use of grill drain will assist in achieving the correct falls easier too. Using smaller tiles is simply quicker and easier!
2
Why do tilers charge more to lay rectified edge tiles?
Because rectified tiles have square edges, they are designed to be laid with tighter grout joins. This leaves no margin for error for the tiler. They must be much more precise, often needing to use a levelling system to ensure the floor is smooth and prevent any lippage, which means it takes longer to lay rectified tiles. Therefore they charge more to lay them!
3
Why does my tiler charge for slab preparation before installing new tiles?
Because the surface condition of the floor is vital to professional installation of tiles, especially porcelain tiles, rectified edge tiles and large format tiles. Tiles don't bend, so bigger tiles need a flatter slab to lay on. Undulations and concrete cresting will need to be ground flat and hollows and dips will require to be levelled with self levelling agents.
4
What is tile lippage and how do I prevent it?
Tile lippage is when the rectified edge of a porcelain tile can be felt underfoot after a floor has been laid. This happens more often with large-format tiles, because the weight of the tile makes them slump as the glue dries, leaving the tiles to dry unevenly. This can be prevented with the use of a tile levelling system such as Tuscan Levelling System, which holds the four edges of the tile level with each other until the glue dries.
5
Why are my tiles lifting?
Floors laid with tiles prior to 2007 were not subject to the current tiling regulations, making expansion/control joins compulsory. The slab on which the tiles are laid expands and contracts throughout the year, and the tiles move with it! This is especially prevalent during winter in Cairns, when the humidity dissipates, the slab dries and therefore contracts. If there are no expansion joins, the tiles push against each other and eventually lift. Also, using the wrong glue and incorrect application will cause tiles to lift.