Installation of tile floor in bathroom...?

Question

Is there any difference between premixed mortar and the mix yourself? Which one do you recommend? Do you have any other tips?

Answer 1

All work is based on time. If you use pre-mixed mortar you will save time that you could spend on setting, squaring, grouting and cutting your new tile floor.

I suggest using pre-mix also because of consistency in your mix.

Answer 2

I agree with part of MARKS suggestion, and no offense at all to him, but powdered is as good. Mix it in mangageable quantites, such as 2 or 4 tiles at a time, to the consistency of mashed potato.

After multiple thousands of sq. ft. of tile, and thousands of gallons of mortar I just find this the better/acceptable way.

A rectangular TROWEL/KNIFE with either 1/8 inch or 1/4 inch NOTCHED teeth is what I use, and never have a CALL BACK.

Remove the toilet and tile up to to the drain. When replacing; get new hardware and a Wax Ring with a rubber flange embedded. The height difference will be less than 1/2 inch no matter.

Use Poly based, or exterior based mortar,,,AND grout, use 1/4 inch rubber spacers between the tile grout lines, to remove; once set, 24 hours is a standard. Leave no FAULT areas, as a HOLLOW under a piece of tile,,,use the spacers and fingers; wet rag; to remove excess mortar from the grout lines and tile face.

Grout in the same consistency and area working toward an exit, DIAGONALLY to the grout lines, not straight on,,,with a rubberized grout squeegie tool, remove excess.

Consider that the removal of grout may be a 3 stage process, beginning with a flat grout sponge,,,barely damp and as the grout sets (Which it will faster than mortar) increase the dampness of the sponge. By the 3rd step,,,STOP. The grout will either be flush with the tile face, or flush where it's meant to be at the depressed edges on each side of the tiles. Allow 24 hours for that to at least be something you can walk over.

Later the residue/dusty look can be easily mopped away.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

I have installed both in my house. I would recommend against using the premixed. I doesn't have the same amount of aggregate in it and it seems to not last as long over time. It is worth the time to use the bag of mortar and add water.

Answer 4

It is a difficult job so make it a bit easier and get the premixed type, so you just add water. I trust you have a proper underlayment for the tile, like concrete backboard, and not installing it over linoleum.

Answer 5

premixed is cleaner to use, the reason i say that is that if you mix it yourself you will need a bucket and a drill (big enough ) to mix it in the bucket properly and you might get splatters on you and anything around you while you are mixing, but if you got the proper tools and knowledge to mixing it then that is the cheaper way to go