Okay, we have the walls and floor in our bathroom now - and the bath is being fitted tomorrow.  Its now time for me to start tiling the walls.  I think I have identified the ceramic tiles - from a local tile shop around £21 per m2.   But are there any recommendations for tile ahesive?  I have seen some which say waterproof and some shower resistant.  The chap at Topps Tiles said I need to add something to the mix to make the adhesive waterproof. 

 

We have used moisture resistant PB so I do want to make sure the adhesive and grout is as waterproof as I can.  and there seems to be a huge range to choose from.  So any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.

 

 

It's all here:

 

 

thanks but with 37 pages, I may have missed it.  will have another look!

2 minutes ago, TheMitchells said:

thanks but with 37 pages, I may have missed it.  will have another look!

 

Just page 37. There's a rumour I may soon start tiling so I asked similar questions.

Its been great reading - thanks for asking all the questions.  Maybe this comes back to the need for a simple post with the tips and advice found in that section. If it could be kept at the top of the posts, it can be added to by anyone who finds good advice.   I can see which of my scribbles woulld be useful, though I dont always remember where I saw the advice. And most of it is from @Nickfromwales and @JSHarris.

 

Depends on the usage but I either use Mapei trade premixed for quick jobs or Mapei Keraquick for decent ones. 

 

Both from Toolstation for the best price currently.  Topps prices are just ..... well....... errr.... barking mad ..!!

1 hour ago, Onoff said:

 

It's all here

 

Yes but beware the links...you never know where an @Onoff link will take you.... .

14 hours ago, TheMitchells said:

Okay, we have the walls and floor in our bathroom now - and the bath is being fitted tomorrow.  Its now time for me to start tiling the walls.  I think I have identified the ceramic tiles - from a local tile shop around £21 per m2.   But are there any recommendations for tile ahesive?  I have seen some which say waterproof and some shower resistant.  The chap at Topps Tiles said I need to add something to the mix to make the adhesive waterproof. 

 

We have used moisture resistant PB so I do want to make sure the adhesive and grout is as waterproof as I can.  and there seems to be a huge range to choose from.  So any pointers in the right direction would be appreciated.

 

 

 

If it is a specialist tile shop used by the Trade, then you are probably safe asking the storekeeper what his tradesmen use and for their recommendations.

 

As a rule of thumb, the powderered stuff in bags that sets in a chemical reaction is 10x better than the stuff that comes in tubs from DIY sheds - especially for moist areas.

 

If you are buying to use not store, then they may let you take a bag extra and return if not used.

 

Think about your sinks. Waterproofing agents and so on are b****y difficult to remove afterwards (being waterproof ) - so do not wash anything in even a poor sink. A couple of years later I still have a couple of globs of turquoise PrimePlus screed pre-treatment in my utility room sink which I cannot get off short of sanding or using something like a pickerawl. Use disposable containers.

 

You have a paddle mixer, I trust - either one of those things that goes on your drill or a cheapie bought from LiDL etc. They need a surprising amount of torque. And remember to switch the drill to "slow" :-) .

 

F

 

Edited August 23, 20179 yr by Ferdinand

7 hours ago, TheMitchells said:

thanks but with 37 pages, I may have missed it.  will have another look!

 

The "Search this topic" dropdown on the search box might help there.

Yes but beware the links...you never know where an @Onoff link will take you.... .

 

@MikeSharp01 

 

Indeed.

Ok. Topps recommending that you put additives in the adhesive to make it 'waterproof'....total waste of time and money. Water should never be getting TO the adhesive so that's not even a consideration imo unless it's a wetroom where you have to allow for that eventuality. 

For wall tiling in any wet / splash area it's a no brainer, you just use cementitious adhesive ( powder mix ) which is impervious to water / moisture ingress. 

I'll still use acrylic ready made stuff but only really for kitchen splash backs or large areas in bathrooms which are outside of the splash areas and if there's no tanking. 

Save yourself any confusion and just stick to slow setting powder adhesive . These are called 'standard' or 'extended' set and will stay workable in the tub for up to an hour. Mix enough for a couple of m2 at a time if your a novice, and only mix more if you feel comfortable that your going to use it up in time. 

With ceramic you don't need the adhesive to be flexible, so use the cheaper regular stuff. 

@Ferdinand is 100% right about these additives being problematic with cleaning up / off, and I've only used an additive once, and never again. A nightmare to clean off tools, hands and anything else ( including the face / edges of the tiles themselves ). Avoid it like the plague. 

I've done enough full-on wetrooms to know that you don't need to put this crap into your adhesive, even more so if it's a regular bathroom not a wetroom . 

Grouting properly is the most important part of any tiling job. Mix it carefully so it just start to 'stand' on its own, eg when you remove the mixing stick / whisk the grout should just slowly slump back down, rather than fall flat. That way you can force it deep into the groutlines which is the right thing to do. A lot of novices just swipe the grout over the top of the groutlines and that's not good enough. Ram in as much as you can, and using a proper full handle grout float make that easy work. Don't use the little flat DIY grout spreader / scraper thingy as they're crap. 

Also, as I've told @Onoff, don't leave the spacers in. Use them end on to space, like you'd do with tile spacer pegs, so you can pull them out when the adhesive has set.  

Quote

@Ferdinand is 100% right

 

Prints out in 25cm high bright red letters. Sticks on wall.

4 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Also, as I've told @Onoff,   

 

...numerous times!

 

20 minutes ago, Onoff said:

 

...numerous times!

 

And you still stop to fix the mower ! ?

1 hour ago, Nickfromwales said:

And you still stop to fix the mower ! ?

 

Not fixed yet...

Bathroom or the mower?