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the trowel notch is according of the tile weigh and size

7K views 26 replies 15 participants last post by  TNTRenovate 
#1 ·
it makes sense ? big trowel with bigger notch is for big tile
and small notch is for small tile

and also we need to see if the surface is even and if we find small bumps it's much better to use bigger notch

thanks for your opinion
 
#5 ·
Yes, but be careful about your expectations that a large notch will allow you to overcome the problems in a subfloor. A lippage/leveling system can help a lot, but it takes some attention and time to do a clean, large-format tile installation on an uneven floor. Many times, you'd be better off grinding down some irregularities or pouring some self-leveling compound.

A tile set with a deep notch will also consume a lot more grout - on a floor grouted with epoxy or urethane, the cost can be significant. If you're using a deep notch, and the floor is uneven, you should also plan to expand the grout line some (customers always want a 1/8" line, but it often doesn't make sense). The wide grout line will also burn a lot more grout.

Also you'll use a lot more thinset, obviously.

Something to think about before you whip out the 1/2" notch trowel, anyway.
 
#7 ·
I was tempted to use a 1/2 notch trowel on this job but glad I didn't. Ground it down first then applied Planipatch to the low spots. Got pretty much flat and by the time I use the MLT it makes it dead nuts on.

It does get right for the bases though when using the 1/4x3/8 trowel I normaly use. I might try a u notch trowel I have laying around on the next MLT job.



 
#12 ·
I use a bigger notch more often than not. I've found the RLS clips work better with extra mortar. It also helps to level out the floor dips/valleys that are quite common. 1/2" notch gets messy, especially with clips.

I always use medium bed mortar, Prolite or the mapei equivalent, so I have no concerns with shrinkage, collapsing, or lippage.


I personally try to avoid SLC if I can. For whatever reason, I get anxiety everytime I have to pour more than 3-4 buckets.
 
#15 ·
I personally try to avoid SLC if I can. For whatever reason, I get anxiety everytime I have to pour more than 3-4 buckets.
Why? I can fix anything you're having trouble with. Pouring SLC is very easy, you just have to follow instructions to a T. It is the quickest, easiest way I know of to get a dead flat floor with very little labor investment.
 
#13 ·
OMG, my partner drives me insane, he prefers 1/2" and back trowels. Then takes 15-20 minutes trying to force excess mortar out the grout lines!! He does the same friggin thing with drywall compound! lay it on thick and sand for hours....
I was taught to use the smallest trowel I can and still get proper coverage, anything over 1/8" in 4' should be flattened. I have done the 1/2" but it is much more enjoyable to lay a flat floor then to fvck with every tile.
 
#16 ·
More than anything it's the tight timeline to pour it. I've done multiple pours, with only a few exceeding 8 buckets. I set everything up as a assembly line...bags cut, pre measured water, helper tending the mixer, etc.

I only had pour, which was my first, that was questionable. It started to set off quicker than expected and it rippled as I tried to squeegee it out. It's certainly not rocket science, but knowing what to expect goes a long way.

Do you have a strategy of pouring from the low spot and leveling up, or just flood the area and let it go?
 
#17 ·
yes there are many type of flooring but before to install ceramic tile we need to know beforehand, how? just place on straightedge on top of the floor , see if the customer wants certain type of floor.. usually bigger tiles are hard to level when the floor are crooked but small tile is much easier to install when there are bumps.. again is better the floor is straight , clean, and flat and even leveled is much better. believe it or not there are people who want to get installed tile crooked and they don't care.. but for my company is good to ask if customer wants crooked we better to put on the paper written to avoid problems later.
 
#21 ·
I was reading this thread on trowel sizes.
On a cement based shower floor what size trowel should be used for 12 x 12 mesh backed tile. Seems to me, too big a trowel notch leads to the thin set coming up thru the grout lines. My standard trowel is a 1/4 x 3/8
The trowel size is dictated by tile thickness.
 
#27 ·
You just use the right trowel for your tile. Nothing will give you 100% coverage. That's the goal but there are no guarantees.

Size is just one consideration, despite what you've heard shape matters just as much.
 
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