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quote:

Originally posted by hardknees:
This has turned out to be a fun thread Kevin, thanks for coming.

Screed patching is using a londg level of sorts to fill in the low spots. You pour out the patch and pull it across the low spots thus leveling it out.

SLC is a self leveling compound that you just pour out on the floor after using the required primer of course. Then after it levels itself out you may if needed push it around with a trowel or screed to "flatten it" to the desired plane. I usually use some ardex sd-f to feather out the rough edges as slc does not feather out because of its larger grit content.

But thats just the way I do it.

I would hire the last guy if it were me. Pricing "fluc-tuats" around the country and I have also leveled the floor using thinset when in a pinch. Works good and sounds like he knows his stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin:
Floorman:
I forgot to ask based on your post, are Crossville and Florida Tile selling only rectified tiles, or are there only certain styles in their lines that are rectified. I was looking at the Crossville Color Blox "I See the Moon", but didnt think it was rectified.

hardknees:
Thanks for explaining those processes a little more for me. It sounds like the last guy that came over would be screed patching, but is it not the same if you are using the thinset to do it?

tileman:
And posts like this are exactly why it is so hard for a consumer like me, that really doesnt know but from what he reads, what the actual right way to do it is. It is so hard with everbody out there having so many different opinions. At what point can I stop pulling my hair out....lol....

So, should the entire floor be done with SLC, or can thinset handle the job? That is the question

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin:
Oh, and on another note, do any of you guys lay Slate or Quartzite? I saw some beautiful Quartzite in one of the stores. The sales rep tried to tell me that the honed pieces could run 1/16" grout lines because they were as tight and precise as the rectified tiles??? Was she blowing smoke up my butt on this one?? Any disadvantages to Quartzite over porcelain? Any different methods of laying it? Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by hardknees:
After all that you going to change boats on us in midstream huh Kevin? Not a big deal though the quartzite looks cool. Its like laying marble, white stone specific thinset please.

The only difference between using slc and thinset is its psi besides the obvious time differential. I prefer slc myself. Its easy smeasy.

Who brooms it?

quote:

Originally posted by floorman67:
Kevin,

SLC is selv leveling compound ... it is mixed very loose (liquid-like) and is poured .. it finds its own level if mixed and pumped in properly.

Screed pathing is like he states, but to do it, the installer would use a level to do a dry run to map out and mark area flatness (depressions and high spots), then grind the high spots if needed and fill the low spots with a aluminum screed or a a very straight 2"x4" to create the overall flatness required.

Thinset can be used but to me it is not a very "workable" product for prep. It doesnt fill and move like a good quality cement based floor patch. When mixed smooth enough to skim, it separates to easily. Also, thicker areas of thinset will crack out and dry unevenly as moisture leaves the product. It is not my choice for any major or deep preparation work, but for very small thin areas it is fine if that is all the isntaller has on hand. It will work fine once dried and touched up if it cracked, but it is jsut not my choice as a filler/prep product. There are too many other product that are much easier to work and work with that provide better coverage isntalled more easily.

Crosasville ceramics and florida tile both have certain lines which are rectified tile. They also have lines that arent rectified. There are also many other manufacturers of rectified tile.

Pricing is all over the place depending on the retailer, contractor, and geographic location, and of course their experience and the value they place on their craftsmanship. While there is certainly no guarantee that a high price guarantees craftsmanship, it does tend to separate the bottom feeding corner cutting ones that lack any real education/experience from the superb professionals that know what they are worth and demand top dollar for it.

As to who to go with, it does not matter if you use a SLC or someone who preps by hand screeding. Both end results are the same if done properly.

quote:

Originally posted by Jerry Thomas:
It is not wise to use a thinset to fill in low spots. I use Mapei Planipatch for that. That large a tile the concrete will need to be flat as you already know. A good tileman will be able to do this job. This is alot of work and not cheap.

Go in a local ProSource Floors and ask for a couple of independant "anal" installers for you to contact. While you are at the counter, let them show you their product offerings.