View Full Version : Correcting a slight high spot in slab prior to tiling
435Studio
Mar 31, 2010, 11:19 AM
I'm getting close to tackling the tiling of my bathroom and wet bar in my basement refinishing project. I have inspected the slab (the house is 10 years old) and it does absorb water (no sealer) and no moisture is present (1' sq plastic taped to floor for 3 days, no condensation). The only issue I can find is a small area about 2' sq. where the slab has a slight high spot. When I lay my 6' level over the spot it appears to be about 1/8" to 1/4" above the rest of the slab. I plan on using 12" square ceramic tile.
My questions: What is the best way to go about removing the high spot? Is it enough of a difference to cause a problem? Do I need to do anything to the rest of the slab surrounding the high spot? As always, thanks in advance for all the help!
smoothy
Mar 31, 2010, 11:25 AM
Angle grinder with a masonary cutting attachment might be the easiest... there are larger grinders for resurfacing concrete that might be quicker.
I'm going to guess you are using thinset... which will be far thinner than that. Othwise you would have to do a thicker morter bed.
Don't take my word on this however... wait for some other input. Personally an area that small I'd take care of. If you want a flat floor. After its tiled it would be far more apparent.
DirtDemon
Mar 31, 2010, 11:30 AM
Angle grinder with a masonary cutting attachment might be the easiest....there are larger grinders for resurfacing concrete that might be quicker.
I'm going to guess you are using thinset....which will be far thinner than that. Othwise you would have to do a thicker morter bed.
Don't take my word on this however....wait for some other input. Personally an area that small I'd take care of. If you want a flat floor. After its tiled it would be far more apparent.
My thoughts exactly. I would use a belt sander or a hand grinder to level the high spot. A high spot will cause un-necessary pressure on the tile and leave slack in spots allowing it to break under foot. It's better the high spot to be low because then at least the mortar or what ever adhesive you're using will fill the low spot.
Best of luck...
smoothy
Mar 31, 2010, 11:40 AM
And use a respirator when grinding that concrete.. preferably a good one. Concrete contains sand which is mostly Slica... and you don't want a chance of getting silicosis down the road.