Repairing and Improving Existing Steps If you have a smaller step on top of a larger one, it would be best to make it all one level before you tile because cutting tiles to fit the step would take a lot of time. Not only that, the small step is a safety hazard. To make it all one level: - Build a wood form around the step.
- Check for proper drainage by using a level (figure A). The steps should fall 1/8th of an inch per foot.
- Secure the form around the step with cleats held in place by cut nails (figure B).
- Mix some fast setting concrete and pour it into the form. Tapping down the wet concrete removes air that may be trapped (figure C).
5-Screed the top of the concrete with a scrap 2 x 4 (figure D). Expert Note: Screed is a common masonry term that means to scrape off the excess concrete to make it level with the form. This is usually done with a scrap piece of wood like a 2 x 4. - Once the concrete dries, put a membrane over it as extra protection for your tiles.
- If you have any steps that have cracks all the way through them (figure E), they will need to be repaired before you tile. The crack usually occurs due to movement and adjusting the cracks with cement will not fix the problem, it will only hide it temporarily. Eventually, shifting will occur again causing the crack to resurface. It will be worse then because it will also cause the tiles to crack. To correct that problem:
- Lay a piece of crack insolation membrane over the area and cut it to size (figure F). Crack insolation membrane comes in two forms — five-foot sheets or a powder mixture. Because it is a flexible component, it covers the crack properly while allowing movement to occur below the surface.
- Trowel thin-set onto the tread and riser (figure G).
- Set the membrane over the crack and press into place. Smooth it out using a trowel (figure H). You can use a flat edge to remove any excess thin-set.
Expert Note: A crack insolation membrane is a permanently flexible mat or sheet designed to cover small cracks or breaks in the surface. These movement cracks, if left untreated, could crack and break the tiles that are installed over them. Expert Note: Tile and stone on floors should provide a safe walking surface. Coefficient of friction refers to a rating system of slip resistance measured on a scale of 10 with 10 being the most resistant. For tile that you are going to install outside, a rating of 7 or better is recommended.
GUESTS :
Tim Malo
Dakota Tile, Inc.
7930 Middle Valley Rd.
Hixson, TN 37343
Phone: 423-843-1303
Tim Bolby
Crossville Porcelain Store
346 Sweeny Dr.
Crossville, TN
Phone: 931-484-2110
Fax: 931-484-8418
E-mail: tbolby@crossville.com
Website: www.crossvilleceramics.com
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
