Damp marks showing through tiles

[AnnMcCarron]

Hi

I've just had my bathroom tiled in white matt ceramic/porcelain tiles and today I noticed shadow spots on all the tiles. The tiler explained that it's the moisture from the adhesive coming through the clay back of the tile and that it will dry out. I'm not confident with this answer because 36 hours have passed and the tiles still look the same. He's coming back tomorrow to grout and I'd really appreciate some advice on whether or not these shadowy stains will indeed dry out and if not what action needs to be taken. The adhesive is white Larsen standard wall tile adhesive.

Thanks
AMcC

 

[Ian]

Ann, whatever you decide, don't let the tiler grout until you are happy that the spots have disappeared completely.

 

[AMA Tiling]

Is that adhesive ready mixed or powdered? Not one I'm familiar with.

Powdered I guess. Larsen very common in Ireland. Some of its ok I suppose but not really an adhesive of choice. Cheap I gather with practically every hardware store and tile shop having stocked it at one time. Looks like a lot of work I come across. Well enough set out, spaced and levelled etc but what lies beneath is dubious. I could be wrong but it is fairly common. Old case of people think it looks great then it's well done. I wouldn't rule out the tiles but judging by the pattern of the shadows it's more than likely the adhesive.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Is it a slow-setting adhesive? or rapid?
either way it should be dry after 36hrs.
Is there any heating/decent room temperature, or is it a cold room, extension etc, where its a bit chilly and the adhesive is gonna take a long, long time - say, if its blobbed at 50mm thick, for sure.

 

[AnnMcCarron]

Powdered I guess. Larsen very common in Ireland. Some of its ok I suppose but not really an adhesive of choice. Cheap I gather with practically every hardware store and tile shop having stocked it at one time. Looks like a lot of work I come across. Well enough set out, spaced and levelled etc but what lies beneath is dubious. I could be wrong but it is fairly common. Old case of people think it looks great then it's well done. I wouldn't rule out the tiles but judging by the pattern of the shadows it's more than likely the adhesive.

so do you think it will dry out? The tiler says that he has seen this happen loads of times and it drys out in a week or so but that sounds crazy to me.

 

[AnnMcCarron]

Is it a slow-setting adhesive? or rapid?
either way it should be dry after 36hrs.
Is there any heating/decent room temperature, or is it a cold room, extension etc, where its a bit chilly and the adhesive is gonna take a long, long time - say, if its blobbed at 50mm thick, for sure.

Its the main upstairs bathroom in the house so shouldn't be too cold although there is currently no radiator in the room. Do you think it would help if we put some form of heating in the room to help dry it out?

 

[area tiling]

? ! Personally the dot and dab method should never be used! We're your tiles expensive Its just that ceramic tiles have a product called (engobe) in them that stops water coming up through to the glaze surface, you see a lack of it sometimes on white tiles, like a darker clouding effect, specially when dot and dabbed using ready mixed adhesives, but you say he used powdered addy! I'd go back to your supplier and get them to have a look at it !

 

[AMA Tiling]

? ! Personally the dot and dab method should never be used! We're your tiles expensive Its just that ceramic tiles have a product called (engobe) in them that stops water coming up through to the glaze surface, you see a lack of it sometimes on white tiles, like a darker clouding effect, specially when dot and dabbed using ready mixed adhesives, but you say he used powdered addy! I'd go back to your supplier and get them to have a look at it !

A possibility indeed. From what the photo shows I reckon those are white backed rectified tiles(guess). More absorbent but as you say it's rare for that to show through a glaze. Some tiles are definately not the quality they used to be IMO. Fitting black polished porcelain a few weeks back and they were not completely polished to the edges plus they were so easily marked and scratched. Just an example. Maybe get a tile and lay it face down, wet the back or leave a couple damp cloths on it and check in the morning to see if it has stained or left the shadowing.

 

[AnnMcCarron]

I've spoken to the bathroom/tiler supplier and they have told us that this happens with these tiles and that it will dry out but regardless they said they will stand over the tiles and the work carried out by the tiler. So all good.

 

[Alan.P]

Well it sounds ok, show us some pictures of the finished job if you will, we like pictures

 

[area tiling]

I've spoken to the bathroom/tiler supplier and they have told us that this happens with these tiles and that it will dry out but regardless they said they will stand over the tiles and the work carried out by the tiler. So all good.

At least you'll get your bathroom sorted at the end of it all no matter what happens! Good luck

 

[AnnMcCarron]

Thanks for all the advice it's been really helpful. I'll put pictures of the finished bathroom up once its completed.

 

[cam_low]

This doesn't detract from the fact he has spot fixed the tiles.

 

[binsy]

As was pointed out earlier,there does seem to be trowel marks between the joint,also he could have dabbed on to this, Its also possible that it was completely water stained and this is drying slowly to form spots due to the absorbant nature of this tile. WHATEVER WAS DONE, THE BEST SOLUTION IN EVERYONES INTEREST IS TO TAKE A TILE OFF!!before the tilers lynched by the mob, we would all have an answer and possibly learn something, if the tiler is any way reluctant to do this he will hang himself !if it does turn out to be some strange peculiarity apologise and pay for his extra time. I hope the tiler is keen enough to redeem his reputation.

 

[Peter]

Fair play to the bathroom company for standing over it although definitely a strange one. Larsens is very very slow setting compared to normal SPFs so I wonder if that has had anything to do with it. Not something I've ever seen with ceramic or porcelain though.

 

[Darren898989]

An old thread but wondering did the spots dry out for you ? Having the same issue myself now.

 

[Natalie]

An old thread but wondering did the spots dry out for you ? Having the same issue myself now.

How did it resolve? Just having the same issue too

 

[Kevbos]

Please contribute to this thread if you have any new information or can even just reiterate what has been said already.

Hi

I've just had my bathroom tiled in white matt ceramic/porcelain tiles and today I noticed shadow spots on all the tiles. The tiler explained that it's the moisture from the adhesive coming through the clay back of the tile and that it will dry out. I'm not confident with this answer because 36 hours have passed and the tiles still look the same. He's coming back tomorrow to grout and I'd really appreciate some advice on whether or not these shadowy stains will indeed dry out and if not what action needs to be taken. The adhesive is white Larsen standard wall tile adhesive.

Thanks
AMcC

Shouldn't be dotting any porcelain tiles !you will get no help from adhesive grout or tile manufacturers on this ever !!

 

[Steven bailey]

Will damp marks dry out or do I need to replace tiles.

 

[Zoe lund]

Hi did your tiles dry out im having the same problem

 

[Lorac 1]

Hi did your tiles dry out im having the same problem

Im having same prob...they did dry out with a dehumidifier in place for 2 weeks. Then i had a problem with water seepig innto the edge of tiles in the shower...tiles are of a ceramic texture....ongoing nightmare as apparently its not the tiles or the grout according to the store....very stressfull to say the least ...