I would skip step 2 1/2. The moisture might interfere with the bond. The fleece will not draw excessive moisture out of the thinset, so adding moisture would be of no benefit.

If the Durock is dry when thinset is applied, then it will immediately start drawing out the moisture. Then you have the natural drying action from the top side. Hopefully you don't have any air movement that will accelerate the drying.

Another step I would take, considering the length of the run (13') is to do 1/2 the run at a time. Lay the Ditra out the full length, then roll it up halfway, dampen the floor, and apply the thinset. Unroll the ditra, push it down to engage the fleece, then repeat for the other half. If you look at Schluter's website, they have a video that demonstrates this process.
http://www.schluter.com/7214.htm

The first section he lays out is done all at once, but the second one is done in two sections as I described above.

Thanks again Kman,

Yes I seen that video. ok Im going to skip Step#2 1/2 lol and I thought I was on to something. One thing I see in that Video that makes me think of yet another Question .. How soon after I set the Ditra down can I start laying tile? In the Vid he did it after he was down setting the Ditra, but would think thats not a good Idea, am I wrong again?

You can set tile immediately, however, the only potential problem is if you have to pull up a freshly set tile to level it, or for whatever reason, it's likely that you'll pull the Ditra off the floor in the process. The way around that is to slide the tile horizontally a few inches to break the suction created by the thinset, then lift the tile. If you're pulling up a tile that already has tile set around it, that can be more difficult.

Unless it's a very small room, like a bathroom or entry, I prefer to let it set overnight. Your call, though.

Step #5 can't hurt!.

I do NOT recommend the 1/4x3/16" V trowel, too small. Long story short......I never thought that was enough. After the first job I made the groves large and all was good. After a few years Schluter decided oh yea...you can also use a 5/16" V. What? That's a big diff.

A few years ago they came out with a Ditra trowel which is 11/64" square. (confused yet?) That's about 3/16" square. In the end even the one you just bought may work ok, depends on how you mixed the thin set and the angle you hold the trowel.

Go ahead and sponge or mist the Durock, leave the Ditra alone. If you do all those things you're wasting too much time. And OH.........use a wooden float, NOT a grout float. Rubber doesn't slide so good.

Jaz

Question? what size spacers should be used with the tile I'm going to use, the sises are 12x12 - 6x12 and 6x6 I was thinking 1/4 spacers but not sure if there is a recommended size that should be used or is it on preference...


thanks again...

1/4 is pretty big for the 3 sizes your using.
1/8 to 3/16 may look better. Really depends on what the edges of the tile look like. IE: chiselled, slightly rounded, square etc.

You may also be limited depending on the variations in tile sizes. I would dry-lay some on the floor and see how they work out. You don't want to find out after 1/3 of the job is done that you can't keep a straight line because the tiles vary too much.

I don't think you have a choice how wide the joints are gonna be. Two 6" tiles have to equal one 12". No choice with most patterns I can think of.

Jaz