Hi JCTiling,
I have laid the granite tiles and they look great. I used 2mm spacers which are just right because the small bevels on the tiles make the gap look larger, so best to start with a slim spacer.
Not so Rapidset - I had a small problem with the first mix of Rapidset being a little too thin, not quite stiff enough but didn't realise that until the first tiles were down. But I just left those a little longer and avoided touching them for fear of them 'sinking' and the addy puddling up into the joints. But they just took an hour longer before it all hardened up and then I carried on with a stiffer mix. They still have a full bed behind them and hopefully there will be no problems.
Different Tiles - One irritating thing which probably only I would notice unless it was pointed out to others, is that one tile has a different sheen to it., but only from one direction and when looking for it - but I know it's there !! These are
Wickes tiles, polished black 'sparkly' granite. All the packs of tiles were bought at the same time and don't appear to have a batch number, but the odd one is from the last box, and I only noticed after it was laid. It definitely has a duller shine / sheen without the sparkly bits! As I haven't grouted yet and will need to seal the tiles, is there something that I could / should do when cleaning and sealing to minimise this effect. I am probably being too picky and that the overall effect with black glass wall mosaic behind the basin will be quite stunning set against everything else being white.
The process I have in mind now is as follows:-
- Wet sponge clean all tiles, let it dry.
- Polish with dry lint free cloth
- Put on first layer of sealer with cloth - must I be careful to not get sealer in the tile space gaps and affecting adhesion of the grout?
- Grout and clean it up
- Put 2nd coat of sealer on floor tiles
- Should I also seal the wall mosaic tile and grout around the basin? Or is sealer just for the floor tiles?
Your comments please ...........!
Thanks again for all your help.