Adhesive not setting

[jasta1966]

Hi, I am having my bathroom ripped out and swapped for a walk in shower but experiencing a few problems. I am using Midnight Black Quartz Tiles 600 x 300. My builder has fitted the shower and tiled for me as my back doesn't allow me to do these things any more. I was tiling the rest of the bathroom in smaller white tiles as and when and so had bought some pre mixed adhesives - some waterproof, and later some 'suitable for shower use' (whatever I could get hold of at the time). The builder asked could he use this for the tiles and I agreed. The tiles were fixed 17 days ago and all but 5 of the tiles set within a week. Two of the remaining tiles reached a state where I could remove the spacers this weekend but I still have 3 tiles that slip very slightly (and I mean very slightly) when removing the spacers so can't be set yet. The spacers are very small - 2mm and the tiles are fixed to a plastered (not fresh) breeze block wall.
I have read a few forums regarding the use of pre-mixed adhesive and also adhesive 'suitable for shower use' for this type of tile, all of which are quite negative. I am becoming really paranoid (very easily stressed anyway) but I need to know is this a complete disaster - am I looking at removing all the tiles and starting again or is there a chance this could be ok? I am assuming there is no issue with the adhesive bonding as most are fine but more an issue with lack of airflow as the offending tiles are in the centre of the wall.
Also is some of the adhesive only being 'suitable for shower' (we ran out and needed extra quickly) a problem considering the tiles are not very porous and unlikely to let much moisture in?
Would really appreciate feedback (please be gentle) as this (and my wife's complete lack of understanding) are making me ill with worry. Thanks for reading.

 

[Gazzer]

You are trying to fix 600 x300 quartz on the walls using ready mixed adhesive ?? OMG

You wont like this but those tiles will fail sooner or later. I would also imagine the weight of the tiles m2 could be too much for skimmed walls. that would need confirming but dispersion adhesive is not suitable for tiles of that size at all. What will happen is the adhesive around the perimeter of each tile will dry but then air can not get to teh rest of the adhesive and it will stay wet, think of it this way.....Adhesive stays wet while in a bucket with the lid on....because no air can get to it....even if when you open a bucket and a little crust has formed , this can be removed and the adhesive is the same as the day it was bought below the crust.

Remedy, sorry but I would be removing those tiles before they fall off and damage anything or anyone.

 

[nybor62]

omg,what was the horse called your builder came on
as above im afraid remove them all before it to late

 

[peteablard]

Unfortunately problems like this seem to occurring more and more as general builders think they can tile. Yet again this has proved that most are clueless about it!
I know it's the last thing you want to here but as already said above they all need to be removed before they fail. I for one wouldn't want to be stood under one of those when it decides to fall......

 

[Stef]

As Above, here we go again. :mad2:

Max tile size for ready mixed adhesive is 300mm x 300mm. These tiles "WILL" fall off the walls, bad enough trying to fix a ceramic tile that size with tubbed addy let alone Quartz.

Remove those tiles ASAP before they damage the shower/bath or before they cause serious injury to someone.

As Sir Ramic states you might be over your tile weight for going onto skimmed walls.

Why not advertise the job on here & you should get a tiler & not a builder to fix these tiles properly.

Good Luck.

 

[Aston]

and the moral of the story is, if your builder is not capable of doing the tiling the correct way, then he should have got a professional tiler in to do your work because he hasnt saved you money, hes just cost you more outlay to put the work right!!

 

[Gazzer]

I believe this is a walk in shower too guys !!!!!!!!!

 

[Stef]

The only saving grace here is that the tiles will be salvageable.

The ready mixed non shower proof (D1) will just soak off the back of the tiles & the shower proof (D2) will scrape off with a bit of elbow grease.

I would be looking again at the substrate to make sure it can take the tile weight.

 

[Stef]

I believe this is a walk in shower too guys !!!!!!!!!

Oh dear Neale :mad2:

Jasta, is this a wet room or do you have an actual shower tray?

 

[jasta1966]

Hi, i do have a tray. This is already installed. The builder was just waiting on the adhesive setting before grouting, fixing screens, etc! Really panicking now

 

[Andy Allen]

were any of the walls tanked?..........builders build things.....tilers tile...enough said...

 

[jasta1966]

Wouldn't know what tanked means although the end wall (where the shower is to fitted) was built new from shower wall / timber frame?

 

[jwatson]

This is a right mess. the quartz especially needs to come down.

shouldn't a 2 part flexible be used with quartz tiles guys??
when i did a kitchen floor in quartz, that was what i used.

mapei have the granirapid aswel for quartz??

Tanking is a total waterproofing of an area.
It is used in tiling to WATERPROOF shower area's. before tiling.
there are different brands on the market.
The weber one i have used is paintable with strips for corners and edge of shower tray ect.

 

[tobins tiling]

Hello jasta
ok don't panic this can be solved, as the lads have said those tiles will need to come off and when they come off they can be reused after you scrap off all the adhesive providing he done the cuts properly. Have you paid the builder for this job? You need to phone him tomorrow and tell him they need to come off and you want a tiler to come in and re-doit with as jwatson said a 2 part adhesive and a tiler will advise you on the tanking if you have got any or need some,good luck mate let us know how you get on

 

[jasta1966]

Thanks guys. I haven't paid him yet but although he may have got this one wrong he has always been honourable in the past and I feel sure will make sure he puts it right. He is a reputable contractor but I think took his eye off the ball here. Will update you once I know more. Much appreciated.