Leveling Clip problems solved.

[@davep857]

You are my favorite tile pro. I'm a 20 home remodeler in Chicago. I have been doing my own tile work for many years and recently have been doing lots more tile work. Always something new to learn. Thank you for the professional videos and information. Dave - BDI Remodeling

[@SalDiBlasi]

Wow, thanks!

[@sonofthunder.]

the godfather of tile... sal diblasi

[@michaelwcorrieajr2278]

Seriously!

[@ajmedeiros77]

Fa get a bout it guy 😆

[@sonofthunder.]

@@ajmedeiros77 showaa...lol,boston accent

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@teddywilliamson3547]

😃😃😃😃

[@b.a.1591]

I found this video because I was worried I bought clips that were too small now I am going out to get spacers to use with them thanks for all the better advice. 👍

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad I could help

[@michaelbwebb]

Sal, Just wanted to thank you. I used to play as an advanced DIY’er installing tile. I have not touched that tool collection in 10 years but have purchased a new house or “project” as my Daughter calls them. Anyway, starting a fairly elaborate by my standards tile installation and your mentoring videos are amazing to make me start thinking about all the nuances of installation again. So much appreciated. Ordered some of the products you have linked. Thanks for sharing those also.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad that my videos where bable to help in some small way.

[@cfomusic73]

Great tip Sal. You are definitely the god father of tiling! I only use this method if I'm doing an 1/8 grout joints and run out of 1/8 clips and have to use 1/16 clips. I rarely have any issues with the clips getting stuck. I try to make sure I keep the joints clean so that doesn't happen. It is a great idea but for me an extra step would not be ideal when doing large sqft of a room.......I rather use different size clips for different applications. So I rather rely on the clips as my spacing to help quickly setting tile. This may be needed for some tile setters though. I do this 5 days a week but what do I do on my day off on a Saturday morning......WATCH Sal videos... Love your work Sal!

[@SalDiBlasi]

yes, if you keep the grout line clean and use a good quality system, you won't have any issues. Thanks for watching my videos.

[@zanderday4466]

one of those things I wish I would have thought of first! Great Tip!!

[@shanegirton7881]

Much respect Sal. I gain so much knowledge watching your vids, but usually it's well after I've attempted something and messed it up LOL

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@TrevorMorrisSound]

The most clutch tip in this video was scraping joints before you place the clips so thinset doesn't smoosh out into the clips. That combined with undersized clips I installed my first floor without problems thanks so much Sal.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@mattamal1]

You helped me on a tile job temendously!!!! Thanks for posting videos.

[@mattamal1]

trememdously !!!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help

[@oldhippie8774]

Good tip, Many professionals only show the advantages of a method or system they use, probably so that they do not have to admit that they run into problems. And many will ignore this solution because it takes more time and Time is Money for them, it damages their reputation and their Egos but as a DIY this tip is very useful, I can imagine that if you have to cut several clips later it will waste more time than solving the problem .before it arises.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@BMan-up3qj]

Your the man sal great idea. One clip you won't run into that problem are peygran they will break below the grout line everytime no matter what

[@SalDiBlasi]

I have tried them Not really a fan of the wedge they have.

[@BMan-up3qj]

@@SalDiBlasi same here the wedges are to small and even the clips yes they don't break in the grout line but they are hard to break off and also overpriced

[@davidmckeen216]

Thank you , figured this out by necessity on a big area . Great information on your video's. Always good to get confirmation on an idea 💡 that works.

[@jamesstufano1504]

Great tip Sal. Wish I saw this before I bought my T-lock 1/8 clips

[@enkodellc]

I learned the same thing after too many breaking. Wish you would have had this video a year ago when you recommended these clips. Either way love the videos.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@ibealion1]

I decided to pull the clips tight to the base of the tiles (rather than keeping them against the backerboard. Not sure if it's OK to do it that way, but it basically eliminated the thinset squishing up the sides of the clips.

[@skyace888]

Great tip Sal! Been struggling with the PLM 1/8" clip removal at times despite cleaning the joints best I can. Will try this for future projects.

[@SalDiBlasi]

And be sure to knock your clips out the next day.

[@michaelgriggle5601]

I find if you wack em from the sides , as close to tile surface as possible, ( I use a solid rubber grout float). I have no problems.

[@Repairman87]

That's going to be a nice looking floor!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes it will

[@sonofthunder.]

great tips on clips,thanks sal ,yeah ive had to dremel a few thicker ones

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@marycahillclc]

I had to dremel a few too. Not fun but it worked.

[@michaelgriggle5601]

Always great solutions Sal.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@mark2524]

As a former professional tiler it hurts my knees & back just watching videos of tiling. Tiling pros (real pros) aren't paid anywhere near enough money for their work.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😂

[@Caposk]

Facts

[@Sugarshane88]

I'd say 15,000 for a 800 square foot bathroom floor and walls is pretty good

[@Titantitan001]

You can say that again XD We literally have to fix other trades mistakes and make it look more appealing.

[@pixelupdates7041]

None of the trades are really paid properly for what they do. Unfortunately most of the true craftspeople like sal are gone and it's just people that do crappy work. Lots of mexicans, meth heads, ex-cons, and just all around corner cutting dishonest ear reputable people who do shit work. That ruins it and destroys the public and homeowners trust in the trades in general.

[@TalkingGIJoe]

Excellent... I used these levelers for the first time and found out they are not a substitute for a spacer... you stiil need the tile spacers to do a proper install along with the lipage leveler... next time!

[@teddywilliamson3547]

Daggum it, just when I thought this DIY city boy had all the pro-tips!!! Cool.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@jgkrus]

Do.ypu still use those spacers and wedge systems? Donyiu like the wedge system the you spin the top down on the tile

[@JohnRogers0014]

Thank you Sal, your instructional videos allowed me the confidence to pull and install a 1000 sq ft of large format tile floor. 16"×48" tiles @ $18 a sq ft. labor only. Your efforts add value to this world. Wish I could share pictures it turned out steller. Thank you.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Excellent! Glad that it turned out great and that my videos were able to help in some way.

[@johnmanyjars6894]

Great video Sal. I used the leveling wedges on my last project and found the wedges would damage (chip) the porcelain tile finish when I broke the clips. Not sure if this was because I had poor quality tile, because they were porcelain tiles, or the specific brand or wedges (maybe they were too narrow and created too much pressure on the edge of the wedge).

[@stephenkarlsen2954]

You Rock Sal !!

[@reillyliner]

Fantastic advice!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching!

[@BZ1340]

Great vid Sal

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@Pete5910]

Straight genius. Thank you. Definitely will try this

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@davidedamato8289]

Ciao sal sei sempre un mastro

[@SalDiBlasi]

Grazie tanto

[@Rickjmt]

Great video! Thanks Sal!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching!

[@marycahillclc]

Thanks! I’ve learned so much from your videos 😁. I have a question/video request; How do you stop a tile project for the day with levelers, then come back to finish the next day? We ended up putting a place holder in that had no mortar on it. Then we could put a clip in it for the night so the last tile that was mortared in place was level and the spacer/leveler stayed in place. I’m not sure if there was a better way?? I hope that made sense. Thanks!

[@SalDiBlasi]

This should help kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZu3padrmN-dj6M

[@redplaiddevelopments]

Do you do this for shower walls as well? Love your videos. Thanks for the content

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes, every install

[@hiddencityboxing4564]

Like the work sal👍 #TileLife Can you show how you do the cuts and layout for Herribone next time?🙏 I like to learn tips and tricks!

[@csimet]

More great tips from you. I've always tried to break mine off in-line with the grout line, since even a slight angle could cause this issue. The newer versions of the clips don't seem to have this issue, at least that I've seen so far. Perhaps they are made weaker. What do you suggest for a 1/16" grout line (and clips) where you can't get a spacer narrower than the clip itself?

[@SnyderGunnar]

Great video!!!! Thanks Sal!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@zeus_2001]

Hi Sal, is it safe to remove the spacers after securing the wedges even on a vertical surface?

[@jeffhahn01]

This was a very good tip. Thanks!

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@rideauviewconstruction717]

Thanks for that tip.

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@rthompson968]

Good stuff, Sal. Thank you!

[@SalDiBlasi]

My pleasure!!

[@DataWatch.]

This is great but I’ve just laid a ton of floor and come up with this problem after trying to get them up! What do I do in this situation? I’ve stopped for the time being hoping I can come up with something. Did about 6 and 5 spacers are sticking up 🤦🏻

[@SalDiBlasi]

Scrape the thinset from either side, heat a blade until red hot, cut the plastic away.

[@DataWatch.]

@ ok I’ll try that thank you! Saw another video where it suggests hitting from the side, I was hitting from the high part of the wedge from the back. Would this be worth trying or is the damage done?

[@sandatrip980]

Great tips! Thank You

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@resp79]

Great video Sal, what’s the best method to remove a clips that are stuck in the thinset? I was thinking a grout removal tool using a oscillating tool?

[@marcgambone4240]

I usually try to use my grinded but sometimes I heat up my knife with a lighter and use to melt through

[@michaelm11702]

Thanks Sal for all the info. I'm installing 12x24 porcelain tiles on the floor of a 108 year old house, i.e. the substrate is not perfect. Do you think it's OK to use 1/4" spacers with 1/16" clips?

[@frankcatrini4816]

probably a good tip for those who just cant work clean. i know you do good work sal but honestly cleanliness might not be your stong suite. i see those wedges and see thinset covering them and cringe, also when striking the thinset away from the tile edges if the margin trowel is held at the wrong angle it just pushes thinset to the tile edge and you cant have any of that when placing a clip. i guess im just anal, but none of my wedges have thinset on them and on average when doing a job with 1/16 clips and using them as my spacer (so a finished joint of 1/16 if rectified) i get maybe 1 clip that breaks wrong. so imo the best info on this subject is to be more careful on cleaniness, but most just cant do that, so i suppose this is good info for most others....

[@MrRecklessryan]

I envy how clean tilers can work, I end up on my hand and knees with a sponge for 2 hours lol.

[@maydanlex]

I'm getting the odd spacer that leaves a small piece between the tiles when removed (on the Perfect Level Master). Only thing I can figure is to use a knife to cut them out best I can.

[@Jack-russell103]

Use a multi tool

[@moridin73]

just make sure you don't get the tool blade cross wise in the joint.

[@arncj18]

can the spacers be activated by hand? for a DIY 20 sf only

[@dwaynenero535]

Hey Sal, what is your mortar of choice for floors and for backsplash? Yours always looks light and smooth. Thanks

[@SalDiBlasi]

Several kinds, I prefer the light weight mortars like Mapei Ultralight, Ardex X77, and some laticrete products.

[@dwaynenero535]

@@SalDiBlasi thank you buddy, you are awesome. By the way I'm gonna go to your site to buy some products and I will let you know how I enjoy them. Take care man, keep up the good work 😉👍🏽

[@HectorJohnson-lj8ks]

Thanks!

[@brandonthamm6453]

Never thought about it... the 1/8 clips don't like to break clean on wedi shower walls either.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Try this way, it will make your life much easier.

[@mitchg3401]

Sal, Great work! I see that you split the room when removing the clips and spacer. How long do you have to wait to remove the clips and spacer?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Remove the spacers as you go, always remove the clips the next day.

[@originalotrex]

Sal, as always, excellent advice! Question: I am about to tile a floor (on Ditra) for the first time. It's 13" x 13" tile and I am leaning away from an anti-lippage system. Will I need one on a tile that small?

[@SalDiBlasi]

I wouldn't bother using them on a tile that small.

[@originalotrex]

@@SalDiBlasi Thanks, Sal. Good to know your expert opinion matches my hunch. To make life easier I have pre-filled the Ditra. That alone gives me even more respect for the wear-and-tear that tilers must endure on the job.

[@number6396]

Sal - I bought a house on concrete slab. I have a son in a power wheelchair. I need to demo entire bath and recess the entire floor (with lipless transition into bathroom and into shower). I will remove existing tub/shower insert and install a tiled curbless roll-in shower. Is it possible to get your advice on the best way to do this? I have watched MANY of your videos and am still perplexed. Thank you.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Talk to a Schluter rep, they can give you the best specific advice for your situation if you use their products.

[@juergenpaton5004]

Did it that way just last week, looked like Lego Land but worked well

[@Kirstie72]

Well, this video is too late for me. Our contractor already grouted over these and they are sticking up through the grout. Any solutions?

[@_JimmyBeGood]

Yea I would sue the contractor.

[@Goldenboy-Nurlan]

Goood work and play.boy!🥂👍

[@ericfoster1671]

Great tip but that's a significant amount of extra time just for a couple tough clips. Do you pay by the hour?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Much quicker than you think.

[@thelazyhandyman]

One of the pros here can help me? I use the crimp tool to level the tiles but every time the tiles separate more causing a bigger gap than desired. Why does the tools shift the tiles away from each other? Leveling is good but not the gaps. Anyone know or have this issue?

[@oddopops1327]

👍👍😉

[@ceramictilepro]

did you back butter?

[@napleshomeimprovementsllc5944]

Sal I’m just wonder what you charge a Sq Ft on that there fish bone look.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Square foot pricing is a thing of the past.

[@cglees]

Brilliant thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

No worries!

[@mattkinsman1452]

Is it worth using a leveling system on 8x8 7/16” thick tiles for bathroom floor that is 5.5’ x 4’?

[@SalDiBlasi]

no

[@pg-erk3938]

Genius!

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@wolverinegnr]

Hunt tool spacers link not working

[@jamesschweiker8281]

I need help with pricing. It seems like it's never enough and I'm wondering how you quote for success.

[@SalDiBlasi]

This is the place for you tilemoney.com/

[@AWX02A]

Have another question. Is perfect level master clip reusable?

[@SalDiBlasi]

No

[@jkepps]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@fnelsoninteg]

My favorite part is kicking them off the next day Sal. Put that hammer down and take some anger out! 🤣

[@SalDiBlasi]

I am Chill.

[@slavlen7]

Подскажи друг что за наколенники посоветуй и насколько они удобны?

[@SalDiBlasi]

What I use when I am doing floor tile www.proknee.com/kneepads

[@kimchee94112]

My problem is it breaks too easily right after installation before it's set so need to use something heavy to hold the tiles it down.

[@SalDiBlasi]

You need a better leveling system

[@MrRecklessryan]

I'm just about to try a similar system out called "clip it", the clips are already 3mm though and I don't want to go larger than that so this is not an option. hopefully I don't have too much trouble.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Be sure to knock out the clips the next day and to keep grout lines clean.

[@MrRecklessryan]

@@SalDiBlasi It worked out great, I'll use these on everyfloor I do from now on, not a lip in sight.

[@sandordaraban6016]

Super..for beginer

[@JT_70]

Cool spacers but pricey at $.10 each. I’ve had to Dremel out broken leveling clips and can see how these could save time.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@Pologarcía96]

What about if you don't use those clips at all ? And set the tile as a real tiler?

[@SalDiBlasi]

A real tile setter understands and uses all the tools at his disposal.

[@frankcatrini4816]

real tiler? i would love to see your 36 or longer plank job with a 1/16 0r perhaps slightly wider joint without clips? or at least see it compared to a job with clips. its impossible to get a plank job without clips to look like one with even if the slab is perfectly level . you see most long planks have a bow in the middle and without clips there is absolutely nothing you can do to prevent a rise where that joint meets the next staggerd tile, but with clips it actually splits all heights perfectly and can put a slight flex to flat until the thinset dries. if you take 2 plank tiles and hold them face to face you can see the wobble and if you apply pressure to the ends you can press that wobble out easily and thats what the clips do.....now perhaps with a square tile run straight pattern, i supoose you can get the floor just as flat, but not with planks, no way possible

[@justingrimes8293]

What happens when the clips damage the edge of the tiles?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Never had that happen, the clips are plastic, the tile is porcelain.

[@justingrimes8293]

@@SalDiBlasi when that tab breaks, the wedge rocks forward, and create a pressure point that blew out the edge of my glazing

[@sonofthunder.]

i like the thin clips ,as the thinset cures,crystals hydrate ,ive used large format, non rectifed edges sort of taper,and still end up with tight grout lines

[@ivtec845]

I have never had a clip break incorrectly and I just use qep clips from home depot 💁‍♂️

[@781redrum8]

Is it just me or does using tile level system like these clips take more time to install I’m only installing 100sqft a day with these clips compared to when I didn’t used clips i installed twice that

[@781redrum8]

And it does make that floor flatter but I feel like I’m lifting up every tile to make sure I have enough coverage because I’m worried about the spacer under the tile preventing contact with the thin set

[@kevinbaxter1571]

i will be trying this after buying 1000 spacers of the recommended size when i already had thinner ones.... lol

[@_JimmyBeGood]

It seems silly that you would need a spacer. Isn’t the clip supposed to be to act like the spacer? Isn’t the clips already 1/8 inch?

[@shawnfelix3573]

Sal what happened to tile coach why his work always failing

[@sonofthunder.]

isaacs work isn't always failing ,hes a great person ,who shows things to educate,as products evolve

[@grrinc]

If you think tradesmen never have bad days then you must have children's level naivety. Isaac is without ego and humble enough to show us everything - good and bad. I suggest you spend a few moments reflecting on your lack of maturity.

[@shawnfelix3573]

That why you don't have a job and people don't have faith in you to put dear money in your hands is fail

[@MistAtsiM]

The only time I had problem is when thinset squeezes out around the clip. Rest of the times. Butter

[@honestlyforreal6304]

Or... Stay clean! 1/8" will break out just fine. Thinset built up on the edge of the post/clip causes the failing break off. Also, thinset between the post/clip, and the tile, will cause the pattern gain that normally results from a sloppy messy installation.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Clean is important, breaking out the clips the next day a must.

[@steverone7623]

A swift kick with the ol boot works great

[@ExtremeRecluse]

I'm not using these anymore. My tiles fell off the wall. I will just use the x spacers. My tiles don't have a sharper 90 degree profile.

[@waguchan2414]

What is the smallest size tile you use the leveling systems on?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Usually tiles bigger than 16", however they can be used on tiles as small as 12" but it is really a waste.

[@aaronjones4039]

Beauty

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@amardjebal222]

Never mind you working backwards. Start from inside out the room.

[@ShootStraight84]

Man you got time on your hands lol

[@SalDiBlasi]

I get paid for my time.

[@ShootStraight84]

@@SalDiBlasi I’m sure you do.

[@LosmiPZS]

Why would they produce 1mm wedges if you're not gonna use it as grout line distance? instead you put a bigger one... Time is money,and you're wasting it here,just use quality ones and no problem.

[@arncj18]

these are not 1mm clips i assume

[@justinadolf9415]

Round here we call them training wheels

[@SalDiBlasi]

Maybe you should try them, seems you don't understand that any tool that helps do a better job is worth using.

[@atkgrl]

That doesn’t solve the problem of breaking your not using the spacers for what they are intended you are just recommending using bigger spacers

[@SalDiBlasi]

If you had ever use a tile leveling system, you would know that it does absolutely solve the problem.

[@MrRecklessryan]

Maybe you could improve on the design and cash in!

[@chrisatc627]

You lay your mirror wrong , it’s supposed to be troweled in all one direction, when you don’t you only get about 50%coverage under the tile which is prone to cracking in upcoming years, you’ve probably worked your whole life and never knew this no disrespect

[@SalDiBlasi]

Look again, they are all in one direction, except in a few tight places. Maybe you should check some of my other videos, like this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYCclYhmf6ycgrM

[@JoseAguilar-dv2nd]

O back batter

[@nickbro01]

The trick is to break them first thing in the morning

[@SalDiBlasi]

Correct

[@kallenyc]

What is a minimum amount if time to wait before breaking them out? 15ish hrs?

[@angelnares5239]

Damn SAL, 😔 deleting my comments

[@TM-xz3wj]

No use what so ever

[@KelvinKenny8207]

pls get a good mic,, i'm barely hear your voice...