How to Lay Slate Floor on Uneven Concrete
Sometimes working with inconsistencies of a floor is a given when you are installing any type of tile. Slate is an uneven stone in its own right, which actually works to your advantage when the time comes to install the natural stone on an uneven surface. While a man-made tile would have a harder time of it, slate adjusts naturally to uneven surfaces, making for an easier installation than most would think. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Straightedge
- Notched trowel
- Margin trowel
- Latex-modified thinset
- Pencil or marker
Instructions
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Installation
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Sort through your slate tile prior to installation. Separate them into three groupings: thick, thin and misshapen. Keep the three groups separated for ease of installation later.
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2
Use your straightedge to check the floor for inconsistencies. Mark these points for later either mentally or using a pencil or marker. Pay particular attention to the highest spots and the lowest spots, as you will need to adjust the types of slate you use in these areas.
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3
Using your notched trowel, spread thinset in the area where the slate tile will be installed. Set a piece of tile in the desired area, and apply gentle pressure while moving the slate slightly in all directions to ensure a proper bond between the slate and the thinset.
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Use thicker slate tiles for low points in the floor, and thin slate tiles for the high points in the floor. Do not worry about lippage of 1/8" inch or less as slate is a natural stone, and is supposed to look rugged. Use the misshapen pieces for out-of-the-way areas or for areas where a thin tile meets with a thick, or simply for aesthetic reasons.
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Adjust the tiles as necessary. If you come across a tile that has too much lippage and you need to adjust an adjacent piece, simply pry it up with your margin trowel and put a little extra thinset underneath to build it up.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a 3/8" notched trowel for 12x12 tiles. Larger tiles will require a larger notch, and smaller tiles vice versa. In the case of an extremely uneven and inconsistent floor, use a self-leveling compound, but only as a last resort. All of your supplies and tools can either be purchased or rented at your local home improvement store.
