Datum line for tiling...

Jupiter01 · 28 Sep 2019

I've set my bath in position and carefully measured and planned through the many scenarios before setting the datum line just above the bath. It means that I will have a 3/4 tile going on above the bath once this batten is removed.

I've set this datum line across all 4 walls of the bathroom to ensure that all the tile lines are straight. This has worked out very well so far.

Q. when I remove this datum line, there are 2-3 rows of tiles required in other parts of the bath (with the exception of the bath area). How should this be done?
Do I need to set another datum line and how do I keep tiles level and ensure that they finish exactly where the other tiles started.

I hope that makes sense.

Keithmac · 29 Sep 2019

I've supported tiles with masking tape before, if you have a line of set tiles you can tile under and support them from slipping with tape until the adhesive sets.

Worked well for me, large tiles and hand mixed powdered adhesive.

I know this does wind people up but it was a night time project with kids in be so couldn't start drilling batons in.

Used the same idea in the kitchen as well and worked a treat.

Tigercubrider · 29 Sep 2019

I have only tiled a couple of bathrooms and kitchens
But your plan means loads of 1/4 tiles left over.

Jupiter01 · 29 Sep 2019

Thanks guys.
The tape method rarely works for me. I use gorilla tape but still find that tiles are slipping. Is there a more reliable way of tackling this?

Jupiter01 · 30 Sep 2019

I should have mentioned that I am working with the large 600x300 tiles

Jupiter01 · 2 Oct 2019

I’d really appreciate some advice on this please. I don’t think the tape method will work for my tiles and unclear on how I get these remaining tiles (below current batten) in good order.

All suggestions gratefully received.

Keithmac · 2 Oct 2019

Only other thing you cold do is measure the required distance (tile and grout lines) and re baton further down.

Do a dry fit with tile spacers to check then crack on.

Jupiter01 · 2 Oct 2019

That’s what I thought I may have to do but am worried that even a couple of millimetres difference anywhere across these 4 walls, could throw me off.

Is this what you are supposed to do? How does this datum line principle work? It seems perfect for the tiling I’ve done above the batten but not as clear/accurate for when rolling below this point.

Thanks for your help

Keithmac · 2 Oct 2019

You should have enough time to shim the bottom tile up slightly before the adhesive starts to go off if you do it in vertical lines up from the bottom.

The tiles above the bottom will be sat on the packers (assuming the tiles are all the same exact size).

Jupiter01 · 3 Oct 2019

Keithmac said:
You should have enough time to shim the bottom tile up slightly before the adhesive starts to go off if you do it in vertical lines up from the bottom

Do I not bother with another datum line and just tile from the bottom? I assumed I need another datum line where my first row of tiles will end and then tile above this and up to my current tiles.

I can then remove this batten and tile the final row which is around a 3/4 tile.

foxhole · 3 Oct 2019

I measure up from the base and deduct 10mm from base tile height, then add a baton to wall and tile up from that, when set remove baton and trim bottom row to fit [unless ceiling hight leaves a tiny trim in which case adjust baton to suit.]

Jupiter01 · 3 Oct 2019

How does the above approach take care of the area above the bath?
I always thought that the initial battens need to be a row (appropriate height of tile) off the bath. I’ve done this and then tied this across the room. I’ve tiled above this and now need a robust way to finish below this line

daggermark · 3 Oct 2019

I've always put my original batten up such that there are 2 missing rows (1 full and 1 cut) at the bottom. Once it's all set, dealing with one wall at a time, I take the batten off, and measure the final row of tiles. I do this by holding or taping the last 'full' tile in place temporarily whilst taking the measure. I do this separately for each tile in the final row, as the floor is never level and they tend to be different heights! I then cut all the tiles for that wall in advance. Not sure what flooring you have, but I'd normally leave 2mm gap at the bottom for any expansion or movement of the subfloor and fill it with silicone later.

Then just get on quickly and stick the last 2 rows up with 1 batch of adhesive, use offcuts of tile spacers / cardboard / wedges to support under the bottom tile which will keep both rows in place until it's dry. You'll have a bit of play in the adhesive for some time to get it all nicely lined up. When you transition to the next wall, you should be fine if your original batten was good. If you get all the rows snug on their spacers, there isn't much chance of going wrong by more than fractions of mm.

Just a thought, if your tape isn't holding the tiles is your adhesive maybe a bit wet? I've successfully held large-format tiles up with cloth tape - even with the above method it can help temporarily support the first row for a minute or two until you get the bottom tile in.

foxhole · 4 Oct 2019

You can use a tile to measure down and fix a baton to tile on to , then work down with baton on each row , slow but no risk of slippage and give good result .

Jupiter01 · 4 Oct 2019

But I then need to wait a day between each baton as else the tiles wont be dry?

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Datum line for tiling...

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