CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 We’ve just had our tiles laid and they’ve gone patchy! They’re 15mm Egyptian natural limestone (not sure the country of origin makes a difference!!) they were laid with mapi flexible adhesive over a ditra mat. Some of it was quick drying some not. Then it was sealed, grouted and washed twice. The sealant was lithofin stain stop. Any ideas why they’re like this?!? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 In my humble opinion your information suggests that the tile is reacting from the back of the tile not being sealed. It could be that this is moisture from the adhesive trying to get out and it may eventually sort itself out. Tiles stuck on, grouted and sealed in swift time could be a reason espically with a natural product. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 Limestone should be left to dry out before sealing them grouting 2-3 days 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 2 minutes ago, nod said: Limestone should be left to dry out before sealing them grouting 2-3 days I think that’s the issue. tiler has suggested the fix is to come back, remove the sealer wait 5-7 days then re seal. does that sound like it might fix the issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 I’m not sure how he will remove the sealer If it was applied correctly Two coats 3 hours apart It will have soaked right through the tile Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 9 hours ago, nod said: I’m not sure how he will remove the sealer If it was applied correctly Two coats 3 hours apart It will have soaked right through the tile one coat before grouting. I questioned this too and to be fair the instructions on the packet of lifofin said 1 coat and maybe re-do high traffic areas every 1-2 years According to an email I’ve seen from lifofin if it’s removed with ‘mn wax off’ left for 5-7 days to dry then sealed with ‘mn stain stop’ it should be ok. does this sound right in your experience? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 I think he may end up taking the tiles up He should know that you have to be so careful with limestone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, nod said: I think he may end up taking the tiles up He should know that you have to be so careful with limestone That’ll be tricky. The kitchen arrives on Monday. And the tiles were on an 8 week delivery! ffs. I hope not, I’ll be seriously pissed if he’s ruined them. Any other fixes? will it dry further/wear off over time? Like 2-3 years? should we turn the UFH on gently to help them dry out? Either before or after the sealant has been removed/re- done? Edited September 7, 2021 by CotswoldDoItUpper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 7, 2021 Share Posted September 7, 2021 I’m guessing your tiler is pretty inexperienced A real basic error Hopefully he can get them looking half decent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 7, 2021 Author Share Posted September 7, 2021 1 hour ago, nod said: I’m guessing your tiler is pretty inexperienced A real basic error Hopefully he can get them looking half decent As far as I can tell, and from recommendations, he seemed ok. Team of 7 too (I only saw 4 different ppl over the 4 days it took to lay 55sqm). fingers crossed that the results will be ok. I’ll keep BH updated.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 8, 2021 Share Posted September 8, 2021 We did pretty much what your tiler did. Layed the stone, waited 24 hours and sealed it with one coat then another 24 hours and grouted them. We put on another two coats later. Not sure its his fault unless the stone was soaking wet. If it was saturated he probably should have waited before sealing. Think I would try pointing a fan heater on one spot in a less conspicuous area to see if drying it will fix the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 8, 2021 Author Share Posted September 8, 2021 11 hours ago, Temp said: We did pretty much what your tiler did. Layed the stone, waited 24 hours and sealed it with one coat then another 24 hours and grouted them. We put on another two coats later. Not sure its his fault unless the stone was soaking wet. If it was saturated he probably should have waited before sealing. Think I would try pointing a fan heater on one spot in a less conspicuous area to see if drying it will fix the problem. it wasn’t soaking, I assumed the moisture was from the adhesive underneath? did yours look like ours after one coat? fan heater sounds like a good idea - will give it a try, he is back tomorrow to strip them and then in a week to re seal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 9, 2021 Author Share Posted September 9, 2021 So the sealant has been removed this am. 2 hours to remove 55sqm. And think there are bits where there is still some left as it feels greasy. Assured that this is the damp. it has made a bit of a difference in some areas, less white, but my baseline tile still looks awful. Now have to wait 5-7 days for the tiles to dry out. Can’t see it making any difference to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Temp Posted September 9, 2021 Share Posted September 9, 2021 23 hours ago, CotswoldDoItUpper said: did yours look like ours after one coat? No, we had no blotches at all. Just a very slight colour change when sealed but it can't even remember if it went darker or lighter is was so minimal. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 15, 2021 Author Share Posted September 15, 2021 7 days after removing sealer we have this. Would it make a difference if the tiler had used the wrong version of lithofin stain-stop? For example He might have used KN instead on MN by accident. Would this have made a difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 You could try asking the tile suppliers and or the manufacturers for guidance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 Can anyone tell me if there is a practical difference between the KF and MN versions of Lithofin Stain Stop? Maybe the god of tiling (and other things) @nod can point me in the right direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Lithofin products are all really good The MN is performs better in Wet areas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 12 minutes ago, nod said: Lithofin products are all really good The MN is performs better in Wet areas Great, but both can be used on natural limestone? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Yes they can Pricier than some But does what it says on the tin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CotswoldDoItUpper Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 Thanks @nod, helpful advice as always! do you think our tiles can be lifted without damaging the UFH pipes? I need to have an argument with our tiler and want to be well prepared! Will it also damage the dritra matting too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nod Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 They can But the Matt will have to come up at the same time He will know that these things to happen Hence the seemingly high floor tiling rates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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