Mosaic tile not sticking!

[Thurstonpandh]

Never had this happen before. Customer ordered mosaic tile. Traditional black and white checkerboard with 1" tiles. They are very thin, but packing says "for floors and walls". Mesh on back is quite dense. The mesh is bonding with the Mapei adhesive, but once dry, the tiles pop off! We have 3 more bathrooms to do after this one with the same tile. I think the backing and it's glue are the issues, but what can I do about it?

 

[Qwerty]

Have you tried giving the back of the sheets a light skim with the adhesive also? Are you bedding the sheets down into the adhesive so the adhesive pushes up through the mesh slightly to make contact with the mosaic?
Any pics?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

What adhesive are you using - tubbed or powdered?

 

[Joshjupp]

Could try skimming back of the mosaics I used biogel last time I done mosaics stuck solid maybe you need to push the mosaics in harder with a grout float

 

[MTiler]

the adhesive is probably making the glue 'live' so tesserae are coming loose before it all dries. Try a rapid set or epoxy adhesive.

 

[Thurstonpandh]

the adhesive is probably making the glue 'live' so tesserae are coming loose before it all dries. Try a rapid set or epoxy adhesive.

Will do! Thanks for the advice.

 

[Dan]

Give us an update once youve sorted it please?

 

[MTiler]

Will do! Thanks for the advice.

Its just an idea, hope you get it sorted.