Daniel wrote:
I'm finishing off a new bathroom in the basement, and am at the point where
the ceramic tile flooring needs to go down.

I'm getting mixed answers to questions re whether to use floor leveler. My
basement floor is level but uneven; in other words, it's not a smooth
surface, is pock-marked and "grainy." It was also painted at one time, but
most of the paint has worn off.

I'm inclined to put the floor leveler down to eliminate concerns about
applying the tile to a level floor; however, I've had one "knowledgable"
person tell me I'd have to etch the floor first or the leveler won't stick.

I've had a couple other people tell me the best foundation for ceramic tile
IS concrete, and that the pock-marks won't be a problem if I just go ahead
and fill them in with mortar.

So, at this point I'm wondering if there's any advantage at all in putting
down the leveler. I want the job done right, but I must say my attitude
goes south at the prospect of etching the concrete before I proceed.

Anyone put ceramic tile on a "rough" concrete floor? What were the results?
Suggestions?

Thanks.

Will the tiles lay flat on the floor the way it is now? If they lay
flat and don't have more than a quarter sized pock mark or nothing more
than a 1/4" or less in depth, then forget the floor leveler. The floor
leveler is to correct problem substrates that would give you a wavy
floor or to fill depressions that could cause a void. I don't know what
the standard for voids is, but I don't like voids that are larger than a
fourth of the tile width. I don't even like them, but I just fill them
with thinset.

A slight depression can be corrected by the way you lay the tile. If
you use the correct notched trowel, it will give you a lot of room to
wiggle. Be careful in the laying of the tiles and you will be fine.


--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX