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How to tile an outdoor alfresco?

paula24

I am tiling outdoor alfresco. I am getting different answers from different tradesman.

Concreter allowed 15m gap 10m for tile and 5m for glue.

I just had someone look at it and saying that in back area gap is 20m.

He is saying glue is not option or screet but some time board or concrete to level it.

I am confused and would love your help.

2nd picture where black line is where he is saying 20m but u can see tile is ok at front.

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @paula24,

Tilers and flooring people will often times grind back or build up concrete to make sure everything matches up.

I wouldn't be too concerned that you are getting different answers from different types of trades. Concreters know concreting best, and tilers know tiling best. If your tiler has a solution, I wouldn't be concerned if it differs from what the concreter has mentioned.

In your situation, where you need to build up some areas but not others, they would likely use a product like this Dunlop Floor Repairer Rapid Patch Mortar to build up the level, before tiling over the top. This is pretty common and not something you should be overly concerned about.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58622#Comment_58622

thank you for your response.

is that like screet? that you sent me

paula

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91685#Comment_91685

Hi @paula24,

They are more or less the same thing. Screed and mortar are both mixtures of sand and cement, in slightly different ratios.

Either the Dunlop Floor Repairer Rapid Patch Mortar or a screed mix would work.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Jacob

paula24

Do you sell screed mix?

Paula

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58726#Comment_58726

Hi @paula24,

Thanks for your question. We don’t sell a product specifically called a “screed mix.” A screed is a thin layer of cement-based material applied over a base slab or concrete floor to level the surface or provide a smooth finish before tiles, carpet, or other floor coverings are installed. You can use sand & cement as a screed mixed with enough water added to achieve a workable, trowelable consistency.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

paula24

thank you for your response. it is confusing. one person said to level it another screet and another additional glue he said tile trowel or glue notcher. This person drew this for me. Tile is 10m and gap is 15m but some sections is more. One tiler said he wouldn't use screet because he would have to apply it thick otherwise it wont work. Its hard to know.

MitchellMc

Hi @paula24,

Yes, there’s often more than one way to approach a project like this, which is why you’re hearing slightly different advice. In your case, the person who suggested levelling it and using screed is essentially talking about the same thing, as you’d be levelling the area with a cement-based product such as a screed mix. The other approach, using a thicker layer of tile adhesive or glue, is to make up small variations in height. Adhesive can usually be applied up to about 5mm thick, but once you start needing more than that, it’s better to level the area first rather than relying on extra glue. So, for a 10 to 15mm difference, you could use a bit more adhesive to fill minor dips, but anything beyond about 5mm should really be addressed with a screed or patching compound. As with many tiling jobs, there’s more than one method that can work, and it depends on how uneven the surface is and what your tiler is comfortable with.

Mitchell

paula24

Thank you. That is very helpful.

In lower section did you mean 15m not 5m

Higher:)

In the first sentence you said 10 to 15m

Then 5m

Sorry

Paula

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58786#Comment_58786

So, it sounds like the issue is that you have 20mm of height to fill in some areas and only a 10mm thick tile and 5mm of adhesive @paula24. Those sections would need to be filled with 5mm of screed, as trying to use a 10mm thick layer of adhesive is typically too much. You'd then have 5mm of screed, 5mm of tile adhesive and then the 10mm tile, making up your overall height of 20mm.

Mitchell

paula24

sorry I sent it to the wrong place. I have attached picture of area.

One is saying screed and other is glue.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58788#Comment_58788

Hi @paula24,

As mentioned, the advice differs as you are speaking to more than one tradesperson. In my opinion, the height difference is too great to resolve the issue simply with tile glue, so I'd go with the tradesperson who suggested the area needs to be levelled with screed first.

Mitchell

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58786#Comment_58786

sorry. i have another question.

self levelling can that be any thickness.

I know with screed it has to be 15m which won't be suitable so i am thinking maybe self levelling is better.

paula

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91852#Comment_91852

Hello @paula24

The quick answer is yes; self-levelling compounds can be applied up to 15mm in thickness. Please note that it is important to follow the application instructions so that the concrete will level properly. If applied too rapidly the concrete will not cure properly or irregularities will appear on the surface.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/58622#Comment_58622

sorry about another message about tiling

with product called Ardit can that be applied at different thickenss on the concrete.

the concrete is not leveled to tiling.

the entrance is lower than the where the concrete is.

the tiler is suggesting to put 8m and reduce it to 4 to 5m

or the second question please

is bringing up with glue. glue will be aprox 10m thick. would that be stable or will it drop.

we are trying to make sure it will level to the concrete

i have sent pictures in my previous post.

paula

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/92032#Comment_92032

Hi @paula24,

Yes, you can vary the height of a layer of Ardit to suit the concrete’s uneven surface. It can start thicker where needed and then taper down to the required level, so it’s suitable for areas like your entrance that are lower than the surrounding concrete. It’s best to follow your tiler’s advice here, as they deal with this sort of thing every day. If they’re suggesting using roughly 10 mm of adhesive to bring the tile up to level, that should be stable. Typically, tilers will apply slightly more than the finished thickness so they can bed the tile down and achieve a solid 10 mm layer. These are the kinds of adjustments and judgments that experienced tilers make, which is why it’s worth trusting their guidance. They’re providing the most effective method for your situation based on their expertise and previous work.

Mitchell

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/112052#Comment_112052

Thank you so much for your response.

It is hard to trust tiler information. They tell you different things. One is saying adhesive will work and one says no.

Its hard to know what to do and believe.

Paula

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/123523#Comment_123523

As mentioned previously, @paula24, the area needs to be levelled first and then tiled over. It's always best to start with a levelled surface rather than trying to use adhesive alone to level it.

Mitchell

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131062#Comment_131062

Thank you.

I have another question on different topic.

The concreter put i think its called expansion foam. Don't know if we should remove it and caulk around house or you can caulk without removing it. I have attached pictures and some pipes there is gaps.

If you look at next pipes shows foam around house too. I got picture attached of polyurethane that he would use.

Sorry for asking so many questions.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135690#Comment_135690

You're absolutely fine to ask as many questions as you need @paula24, that’s what we’re here for.

You’d typically cut that expansion foam down so it’s level with the top of the concrete, then go over it with the polyurethane sealant you mentioned. The foam itself isn’t designed to seal the joint, it’s there to act as a buffer to stop the concrete from cracking where two hard surfaces meet. Applying the sealant over the top will neaten the appearance and fill any small gaps, especially around the pipes.

So in short, you don’t need to remove the foam completely, just trim it down and then seal over it to tidy things up and protect the area.

Mitchell

paula24

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138841#Comment_138841

Thank you so much

Very helpful information

Paula

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