There are many different tools that professional tile installers use to create an exceptional quality tile installation. A common problem with any type of tile installation job, either as a floor or wall installation, is tile lippage.
The issue with tile lippage is most pronounced with natural stone tiles due to the surface irregularities on these types of tiles. Other larger sized tiles of any material, including ceramic tiles, also have some degree of warping and slight variations in the tile dimensions, which leads to vertical displacement between the adjacent tiles. The result is an uneven height of the surface edges of the tile, creating an unprofessional and often unacceptable finished product. On tiled floors, the raised edges of the tiles can create significant tripping hazards.
Options to Consider
Even with the use of a tile leveling system, correct surface preparation, particularly with flooring tiles, is a critical factor. Making sure any differences or irregular surfaces of subfloor are eliminated is a critical step, and one that should never be overlooked.
Mortar is used to fill in dips or valleys in the subfloor, and grinding can be used to eliminate any peaks or humps.
The Use Of a Tile Leveling System
A good tile leveling system is used to lock and hold the tiles in place to reduce the risk of lippage as the flooring is installed. By using a quality tile leveling option, the installer does not have to try to compensate by adding additional thinset to level the tile at the time of installation.
The choice of a system for tile leveling is based on the specific thickness of the tiles. Most of the standard kits or systems are designed for standard tile thicknesses of up to ½ an inch.
For more information on the best tile leveling kit for your next job, give us a call at 952-882-0436.
