your input please

I have been in the tile business for ten years now and have heard numerous mixtures for sand and cement beds. 3 parts sand to 1 part cement damp cured for at least one week has made very hard beds for me and I have never had any problems with them. I was just curious what the actual mix should be. Does anyone know for a fact what it is. Is there an ANSI recommended amount ect. Thanks in advance. Craig

Hi Craig;
That is exactly the formula I use and have for the past 20 years I'm not sure what ANSI or the TCA states about a proper mix but, I can tell you this if you make your thick mud too rich (too much Portland) it will tear, when your troweling it you will be almost done, all smoothed out and want to get that one little spot and drag the trowel across it and, the mud just tears and follows that trowel everytime. (it seems)
If I were you I would keep up the good work with the 3 to 1 ratio its working well for me(and you it seems).
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1) www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com (http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com)

Thanks for the reply Rich. I have heard of guys using a 4-1 mix but that just doesnt seem like enough portland to me. How thick do you usually make your bed in say a 4x4 size shower pan? How much slope do you add? I like about 3" deep on the outside and 1/4-3/8in. drop per foot from the farthest point to the drain.

Hi Journeyman, Rich,

We routinely use a weaker mix than that. 1 to 4 would be about the richest, and 1 to 5 is common. Holds together fine. Too much portland and you can't work the stuff. The premixed stuff I buy when I don't want to mess with loose sand is 1 to 4.

In the Houston area we use drains with adjustable hair strainers. They are threaded into the top flange. I end up with a minumum of 1-1/2 inches at the drain and about the same pitch you mentioned (about 3/8 in. per running foot). The adjustable drain is a plus if you're using shoe base at the bottoms of the walls. Takes a bit of the pressure off the setter.

Journeyman, stop in and say hello at http://www.johnbridge.com

Rich and I are already linked back and forth.

John