Tile floor unevenness

13 years ago

Hi, thanks everyone for your advice on my previous question.

We're redoing the master bath and the 12x24 porcelain tiles have been laid. The unevenness of height is very noticeable to me, both in sight and feel. If you run a finger along a tile from one corner to the next, you'll notice one corner is higher and slopes downward as you run your finger along the edge.

By the time you arrive at the next tile, the edge that was higher is now lower than its neighbor. I'd say the height variance is about half the thickness of a dime. Is this too much attention to detail? Thanks!

Featured Answer

PRO

Signature Home Services

13 years ago

Yes that's correct. The larger the tile the harder to get level. Suggestion for your next project...shoot a laser, you can normally rent one, see how far off level the floor is and if needed, use a self leveling concrete over the entire floor. Also, prep is important as well and installation.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

toni_schwartz
Original Author
13 years ago
Appreciate any advice...
Arlen Dau
13 years ago
Large tiles are extremely difficult to get perfect. The underlayment - everything needs to be flawless. It may be a close to impossible as laying tile gets. I think the variance that you described would be regarded as acceptable.
Related Professionals
Effingham Interior Designers & Decorators · Greenville Interior Designers & Decorators · Lufkin Interior Designers & Decorators · Manhattan Interior Designers & Decorators · Owensboro Architects & Building Designers · Spartanburg Architects & Building Designers · Beckley Architects & Building Designers · Denver Architects & Building Designers · California Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Richmond Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Dubuque Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Olean Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Las Vegas Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Scottsbluff Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Eugene Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
13 years ago
Large format porcelain and ceramic tiles are slightly cupped, it happens during the manufacturing process. Most manufacturers are now putting notifications in their materials that it can cause lippage issues. It is most noticable with a running bond pattern.
PRO
Scott Design, Inc.
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Large format tile presents a challenge to both manufacturer and installer. There are several factors influencing lippage conditions and outcome : subsurface prep, thickness, thickness variations (calibrated vs. rectified), warpage, spacing, reflectivity, tile edge style and angle of light. These factors are outlined in the attached link along with acceptable industry tolerances along with suggested ways to moderate the factors for an installation with satisfactory results. http://www.laticrete.com/portals/0/tds/tds164.pdf
PRO
Fiorano Tile Showrooms
13 years ago
12x24 should not be installed in a "50% Brick Pattern", especially if it is rectified and you want a tight grout joint.
Install a full tile, then 1/3 of tile, and next to that 2/3 of tile, then you are good to go. ALSO.....you need 1/8" grout joint. (John Tudisco john@fioranotile.com Fiorano Tile Showrooms)
toni_schwartz
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone! Much appreciated!
PRO
TASCH - GROUP
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Hello Toni,

You didn't mention whether the tiles are installed in a stuck-paddern (with cossed joints like in the pictures below) or with an overlaping and when overlapped how much? (1/4 - 1/3 - 1/2)

Everything what the pre- posters have said is right. If you have two spare tiles you can easily check whether your tiles are warped and if yes how much. Just put the two tiles face to face together and then press alterant the left and the right side together. If you can "seesaw" the tiles they are warped. How much they are warped is half the gap/space between the two tiles.

You can easily avoid these lippages by installing the tiles only in a stuck pattern. The question is whether you like this stuck-pattern. And if your tiles are installed like in the pictures below, then your tile setter did not the best job.

Regards,

3D-Tile-Design - Bertram Tasch
Maple Ridge, BC (Greater Vancouver)
http://www.3D-Tile-Design.ca
.