Filling divots prior to tile?

[Angelfire]

Hiya Folks,
I'm putting down saltillo tile in my home/addition. I have a few areas where when the previous flooring was removed, the adhesive used pulled up concrete and left some divots. I was planning to float the floor smooth with thinset (ie. fill in the divots) followed by standard installation of the tile. Is this adequate?

Thanks.

 

[Dakota00]

You can fill just the divots, instead of floating the whole floor. Save you on material.

 

[rjwilliams]

Divots can be filled when spreading thinset depending on depth. Post some pictures.

 

[Angelfire]

No pics. Divots are primarily less than 1/4". I do have a few that are a bit deeper. Since posting, I'm thinking I should probably do a sand topping mix. And for $4 a bag, and I'll need less than a bag, I'll probably go this route vs. burning my thinset stock on it.

 

[Big-Foot]

Divots can be filled when spreading thinset depending on depth.

This is what I would do...

No pics. Divots are primarily less than 1/4". I do have a few that are a bit deeper. Since posting, I'm thinking I should probably do a sand topping mix. And for $4 a bag, and I'll need less than a bag, I'll probably go this route vs. burning my thinset stock on it.

Sounds like you are willing to trade off and do a lot of extra work to save a little thinset mortar to me.. The thinset is more than up to the task..

 

[Angelfire]

This is what I would do...



Sounds like you are willing to trade off and do a lot of extra work to save a little thinset mortar to me.. The thinset is more than up to the task..

A lot more work? Sand topping mix is no different than thinset in terms of mixing and applying so I'm not sure what you mean by "a lot of extra work". I ended up calling the thinset manufacturer. They indicated their thinset was good to about 3/8" so couple my divots with a thick bed for the saltillo and back buttering, they did not recommend using thinset for filling the divots. They did say it would probably work but a better product would be their sand topping mix that's been modified. It's good to 1.5 inches so I will have no worries at all. Bought a bag yesterday for $10 so it's relatively inexpensive as well. Cures in an hour so won't hold me up either. I do have another area with some smaller divots that I'll just use the thinset in.
Thanks.

 

[Big-Foot]

Whatever melts your butter makes my day

--- Jimmy Dean

 

[venom50svt]

When I bought my house the garage floor had puck marks, gauling, from road salt. The concrete always was dusting up....
I thought about floating a thin layer of top and bond,, What i ended up doing is buying a gallon of Bondo and filling the holes and rough areas with it then taking a belt sander to remove the excess and then using primer to seal it..
It has never lifted, its hard as a rock.. I use oil base enamel and have never had any problems...