Best tile adhesive for an absolute beginner ?

[Rob Adams]

Hey guys decided to have a blast at tiling the bathroom, we have just had the room skimmed so are ready to go.

Tiles are plain white ceramic 150 x 150mm (5mm thick).

Was just wondering what the best waterproof adhesive would be for a noob tiler, obviously something with a longish pot life and easy to work with, am i better off getting a ready mixed tub or some powder and mixing myself ?

I was thinking about trying the mapei keraflex but am open to other suggestions ! ? Also wondering if i was to try this, how much coverage would i get with a 5kg bag ? (We are tiling about 6.5m).

Also what would you guys reccomend as a tile spacer size for this size of tile ?

And finally any recommendations on a white grout ? again noob friendly !

Thanks in advance !

 

[Gazzer]

I would go for Weber Set, standard not fast set.
Weber grout too.
Great prices if you shop in the right place.
2mm spacers....oh and dont forget to prime walls with SBR 1st

 

[Rob Adams]

Whats SBR ? Why cant i go straight on to the plaster ?

Thanks ! will look into those !

 

[Gazzer]

Its a primer and the cement based adhesive is not compatible with Gypsum plaster so you need to prime 1st. SBR is a type of primer DO NOT USE PVA !

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome.....a white single part flexible lasts well in the bucket, it depends what supplier are in your area...if you got a 20 kg bag that should do the area in your bathroom.

A 2mm spacers would suit, a standard grout would be Bal white grout.

 

[Rob Adams]

No Nonsense SBR Primer White 1kg | Screwfix.com

is that the stuff sir ?

whitebeam screwfix anygood ?

 

[Gazzer]

Where abouts are you, some one may be able to put you onto a real tile store that has what you need.

 

[Rob Adams]

Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

 

[Brian the Tile]

you can use a good quality ready mixed adhesive from any good tile shop [not b&q or the others] and you will be fine you will find it easier to spread than the powder and will have no probs 2mm spacers will be fine and again a good quality grout from your local supplier,good luck

 

[bugs183]

Go to Tiletrend in Shrewsbury. These guys sell Mapei and Bal adhesives and will helpyou with everything you need.
Prime with a suitable primer dependant on manufacturer. Use 2mm spacers, Keraflex is lovely to use, get a 4mm notched trowel, or even a 6mm (it will hep you get a flatter finish and gaurentee that you have good adhesive coverage on your tile). Grout will Bal Superflex White, lovely, but don't let it dry too hard on the tile surface. Silicon with Mapesil Silicon.
Enjoy!!

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi mate SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) the correct primer for cement based adhesives, not a fan of ready mixed stuff myself.

 

[Rob Adams]

Thanks i will check out tile trend ! Cant decide whether to go for pre mixed or powder now !

 

[Stef]

Hi. If you have never tiled before then it would probably be easier for you if you used a ready mixed adhesive, With that size a tile you could use something like Bal Whitestar, Its a D2 adhesive & wont break down if it comes into contact with water, if you are tiling round your bath.
As said above though a powder adhesive would be the way to go but you will get away with a decent ready mixed adhesive.

I would also go for Bal Grout, not superflex, the standard grout is easy to work with whereas superflex is more a floor grout, imo.

 

[bugs183]

There you go Rob, this thread will flummox you.
So which to use,premix or powder mix. On a low usage domestic shower you can use premix, but if you want to do a really pro job and be happy there will be no problems, tank and use powdermix.
Any of the advise given here has been good. Tilers have been using ready mix for years, and had very little problems, prime the walls properly and as above use white star, it's a great pre mixed adhesive, and then grout with bal grout, or to be a bit more confident superflex white.
I've now changed to powdered adhesives (certainly in showers),as i tank the walls with Mapei Aqua defense and the ready mix takes much longer to dry out on this, the powder adhesives is a chemical reaction as is better suited to a tanked surface.
Tiletrend stock all of these goodies and i'm sure will be helpful.

 

[Stef]

Its ok for us knowing the ins & outs of our trade but as the post states he is having a bash at tiling as a newbie, he is not a pro tiler.
He is asking for advise as what the best adhesive to use & in my opinion i think he would be better with a D2 ready mixed & also use standard Bal grout.

Granted he could just as easy mix up powder & his grout no problem but he could also use whitestar & never have a problem. it wont break down when in contact with water & is well within the recommendations of tile size.

I wouldnt have a problem as a pro tiler using whitestar to fix a tile that size.

We all know that the walls should be tanked etc for total piece of mind but that applies to us tilers not newbies or diyers looking for advise.