adhesive moisture patches not going from Limestone Tiles

[bcollins]

I am 2/3rds through a house extension and got Limestone tiles layed 2 weeks ago. The tiler used Evo-Stik Technik OPF (One Part Flexible) White Adhesive. Quite a lot of adhesive was used as the tiles had to be brought up the same level as the flush track of folding doors and trench heaters. There is around 200 to 250 ML of adhesive in places under the tiles. The tiles were spot fixed to the floor and up to 6 moisture patches on each tile are still evident. These moisture patches dont seem to be reducing in size and I am very concerned that they are now stained. The Tiler is saying that they should go eventually but does not know when. The tiles are not yet sealed and we have heat in the room. I am without a kitchen and am awaiting the tiles to dry out before sealing and the install of the new kitchen.

Has anyone experienced problems like this before

 

[doug boardley]

imo they wont fade as the tiles have been very poorly fixed ie spot fixing, they should have been laid using a solid bed trowel and back skimmed.

 

[bcollins]

This is a disaster. The tiles were expensive and taking them up will be very messy + very costly. Tiler says tyhat he did everything to the book and had to spot in order to raise the tile to the required level

Firstly -Is there way to confirm that the stains will not go away ?
secondly do yoy How long should you have to wait before all moisture leaves the Tiles and Adhesive ?
Thirdly - should he have sealed the underside of the tiles before laying them?

thanks for quick response.

 

[CCTiling]

The floor area should have been raised with self levelling compound as most adhesives only allow you to go approx 10mm packing out. As Doug says the fixing of these tiles is wrong and it's going to leave hollow spots under the stone which could easily break if anything heavy is dropped on it.

Is this the bag?? If so I don't think it's a rapid setting adhesive as it says grout after 24 hrs so this could possibly stain the stone coz it's not. A rapid setting flex white adhesive should have been used for this installation.

TECHNIK OPF

One part flexible ceramic tile adhesive for floors and walls.​

Non-slip, cement polymer adhesive formulated to accommodate movement and vibration. Suitable for ceramic and porcelain tiles, glass, stone, Marble etc.
and for use on timber.
>Exceptional flexibility.
>Very high bond strength.
>Accommodates rough/uneven and very large tiles.
>Suitable for under floor heating.
>Suitable for timber.
>Suitable for swimming pools.
>DIN 18157 PART1 thin-bed
>DIN 18158 -thick-bed​

Grout Time: After approx 24 hours.
Coverage: 1.6 kg/M2.
Colours: White, Grey.
Size: 20 kg, 10 kg​

 

[TrumpersUnited]

This is caused by using an incorrect application technique. using the dot and

dab technique to get tile levels correct by building mounts of adhesive and tapping down until
level. This leaves only small areas of the tiles and substrate in contact with the adhesive and​

leaves large air voids.

Unfortunately you will need to remove the tiles.

A time and cost effective solution is to remove the tiles and loose adhesive, prime with an acrylic primer and then cover with a leveling compound. The tiles can then be re-fixed using the correct application technique to ensure 100% coverage using a rapid setting adhesive.

 

[kilty55]

oops,you will possibly get more issues because your tiles have ben spot fixed,

 

[SandyFloor]

Spot fixing (dot & dabbing) as you've described is poor practice at the best of times but with a stone such as limestone it's much worse. It needs to rely on a solid bed underneath for strength and without it it will break with any significant impact or point loading and the grout will fall through over time as it won't be through to the subfloor.....Sorry

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Sorry but all above are correct in their advice, dot and dab is an no no. Level issues should be addressed before tiling commences. This " tiler" is talking tosh.:mad2:

 

[tommyzooom]

I am 2/3rds through a house extension and got Limestone tiles layed 2 weeks ago. The tiler used Evo-Stik Technik OPF (One Part Flexible) White Adhesive. Quite a lot of adhesive was used as the tiles had to be brought up the same level as the flush track of folding doors and trench heaters. There is around 200 to 250 ML of adhesive in places under the tiles. The tiles were spot fixed to the floor and up to 6 moisture patches on each tile are still evident. These moisture patches dont seem to be reducing in size and I am very concerned that they are now stained. The Tiler is saying that they should go eventually but does not know when. The tiles are not yet sealed and we have heat in the room. I am without a kitchen and am awaiting the tiles to dry out before sealing and the install of the new kitchen.

Has anyone experienced problems like this before

Despite the poor spot fixing, are you saying there is 250 millimeters of adhesive under the tiles, as in 9 inches deep?:yikes:

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

By the way I would be interested to know which book this "tiler" going by?.

 

[aph257]

By the way I would be interested to know which book this "tiler" going by?.

a Stephen King, no doubt

 

[DHTiling]

If after 2 weeks you have spot stains, then this floor is kaput..

Please call your tiler back and ask what he is going to do to rectify this issue..

 

[bcollins]

I want to thank you all for your contributions here. It has clarified things greatly for me.

To summarize what should have been done was:

1. The floor should have been raised by 10ml using a self leveling screed
2 Tiler should have used a quick set adhesive suitable for natural stone
3 Tiler should have laid tiles using solid bed trowel and back skimmed

Can I ask you is there any way to save the Tiles or is it now a matter of having them replaced ?

Many thanks to all.

 

[nybor62]

you may be able to save some ,the sooner you take them up the better ,

 

[DHTiling]

If they are spot stained, then they are no good..