Tiling on WBP, but it is not level! What to do?

[buckfast]

Hi all

I'm doing some bathroom floor tiles for a family member. There was Lino fitted which I have removed to find plywood underneath. I have dry layed some tiles out on the plywood and have found that one tile rocks so clearly the ply isn't level in this area. Has anybody an idea of how to rectify this?

Thanks

 

[ree]

Where is the uneven patch - at a join of two ply boards or somewhere in the field of a board? Is there any water damage swelling to the ply?

Can you post a pic ?

 

[buckfast]

Untitled

• buckfast
• 1 Feb 2015
• 1

1 to 2 mm gap

• buckfast
• 1 Feb 2015
• 1

The tile doesn't lay flush to the ply

There are actually a number of areas where this is happening. It is a relatively small gap though, what do you think?

Thanks

 

[ree]

Thanks for the pics but i cant see the actual ply surface or the join line between the two sheets of ply that seem to be on the floor.

If you removed all the tile and crayoned or felt penned on the ply the difficult patches it would help?

How secure is the ply - does it feel as tho its not tightly screwed down?
Putting your weight on the floor, does it feel as tho the joists are moving?
Is there an expansion gap at all the ply edges? If not, you can get "tenting" at the join line.

Sometimes its best to simply add more screws at the suspect areas but the problem with this is that you must know where any cables and pipes are running under the ply.

If all is secure with room to expand then using a 1/2" half round notch, & buttering the backs of the tile will take up any uneveness.

 

[buckfast]

Thanks Ree. The ply appears to be quite solid. I will install some more screws to see if it will help. I will use a 10mm notched trowel also.

By the way, the left hand side of the photo shows that I have removed the bath panel. She doesn't want the bath side panel reinstalled, instead wants a a small tiled wall here - how would I go about doing this?

Cheers

 

[ree]

You build a 2" x 2" PAR frame.
Fix the side rails of the frame to the walls at either end - plug and screw.
Fix the base rail of the frame thro the ply into the floor joists.
Make sure that the frame is plumb.
The top rail might have to be tapered to go behind the bath apron.
Room must be left for tile to go just up behind the bath apron.

Make another 2" x 2" frame to fit inside the first frame - this frame will be removable so that you can access your trap and tap tails - a must.

Design the above to suit you, and fix plaster board and tile with the inner frame grout lines coming at the edge of the inner frame. Set "studs" to suit.

Use mirror dome caps & screws to make the inner frame removable.

What i've just described might be a bit tricky with your bath legs and the profile of the tub. But its something to work with. You can also build out a built in bath effect - google pics - like a wall coming off the bath by say 6" with a tiled top, & similar access.

 

[buckfast]

Thanks Ree, I'll get to it after I have made a start on the floor tiles.