Find high point of kitchen floor:

[oldberkeley]

Tiling my kitchen floor, pretty basic 11’ x 20’ rectangle.

Got the backerboard down. Still not perfectly flat, of course, would like to find the high point and start tiling there. Don’t need SLC or anything like that, just need to find that point
.
Can’t afford any expensive laser levels, etc.

1. Tried some mason’s string, fair results, would like to do better.
2.Perhaps just an 8’ or 10’ straightedge with a level on top? I’ve got a decent 4’ level. If I went to Homer’s, what’s the straightest piece of 8’ or 10’ stock that I’m likely to find?

Any other ideas/techniques greatly appreciated. TIA

Gary

 

[kd3pc]

easy way is to start in the middle somewhere and place shims under the low end of the level. Then use that stack of shims to do the next 4' section. You can use the start point and the subsequent piles of shims to "sweep" a large area and set more shims if needed, if you run in to a spot that is high...then you can mark that to come back to or start afresh there.

Should not take you too long. And you can use cardboard or some such for shims. Doesn't have to be elaborate. In the old days, the master setters would just "measure" the other end of the level/straight edge and write that on the subfloor. Then compare numbers and you know where to add or remove adhesive to keep things level.

best of luck.

 

[oldberkeley]

kd- I'm about as far from a master setter as is humanly possible. I didn't really want to do this, but simply could not find a genuine experienced tile setter who would just lay the tiles (I'd grout) for a reasonable price.

Completely my fault, but I'm not totally comprehending your shim idea. So you mean that after going over the entire floor, the biggest stack of shims would be the high point?

Gary

 

[kd3pc]

kd- I'm about as far from a master setter as is humanly possible. I didn't really want to do this, but simply could not find a genuine experienced tile setter who would just lay the tiles (I'd grout) for a reasonable price.

Completely my fault, but I'm not totally comprehending your shim idea. So you mean that after going over the entire floor, the biggest stack of shims would be the high point?

Gary

Actually it will be backward....if you have piles of shims spreading from the origin point, all of those areas will be lower than the origin point, by the height of the pile of shims. The biggest pile of shims will be the lowest point you have encountered.

It is only where you can NOT get the level to read level that you have found a spot higher than the origin point.

hope this helps, it may help to sketch it out to see what it looks like from the edge of the floor?

 

[oldberkeley]

kd- OK, my wife and I just talked through your method (translation: she explained it to me with an exasperated look on her face, as usual). Got a ruler and put it on the coffee table as a visual aid. Eureka, I think I understand!

I'm hoping that this method with a 4' level is doable and not unrealistic for an 11' x 20' room (wouldn't want to try it on a football field!) Will try it first thing tomorrow, thanks much.

Gary

 

[the gypsy]

The easiest way and least expensive way to level a floor is to make a mortar bed. But for someone not used to making a mortar bed it can be scary. I will try to find a you tube video showing the process.

 

[oldberkeley]

I agree with you about the mortar bed, absolutely the best, but I'm not going to get into that here. Already have the CBU down.

I'd like to start tiling at the high point, just looking for a good way to find that.

 

[the gypsy]

a water level to find a constant and level height put a mason line from one point to an opposite point and measure from mason line to floor.

 

[the gypsy]

Or try a long aluminum square tube a put a level on that. It should be more accurate than a four foot level, personally I would not buy the tube less than 8 ft.

 

[Shea]

OK, my wife and I just talked through your method (translation: she explained it to me with an exasperated look on her face, as usual). Got a ruler and put it on the coffee table as a visual aid. Eureka, I think I understand!

Awesome! I had to read this to my wife (who is a teacher) and she said you are an excellent visual learner. Way to go!