Can you grout with tile adhesive?

[Snowfrog]

I'm currently just over half way through having some tiling done with travertine tiles and have noticed that the tiler appears to have 'grouted' with tile adhesive, as the limestone grout I've bought for the job has not been opened. I presume there is a reason that you don't just use tile adhesive for the job and if so, what is it, so I can tell the tiler tomorrow?

He told me he's grouted, but I think he must have just smoothed off what's come up around the tiles when he's placed them down. With one thing or another, I'm having a nightmare. 🙁

 

[john32145]

So what colour is the adhesive? And is he a tiler or is he just doing the tiling as well as other things? no reason he should do that especially when u already bought the grout.

 

[Snowfrog]

Hi, the adhesive is white. He's supposed to be a tiler, so I've no idea why he's done what he's done, unless it was just for ease as maybe he used too much adhesive. I've no idea really, all I know is I've got two large bags of grout that haven't been touched.

 

[Colour Republic]

Hi Snowfrog,

Before we make any assumptions that they have used adhesive could you tell us the name and type of grout that you had bought. It maybe that the tiler used another grout because he felt the type supplied was unsuitable.

He shouldn't have used adhesive and it would have been alot harder to do so. So i'm guessing he didn't

Also, did you supply the adhesive? and if so, again what was it?

 

[Snowfrog]

Hi Colour Republic, I've just noticed that the adhesive is supposed to be an adhesive and grout. It's Larsen Professional Flexible Fast Set tile adhesive and grout. The grout is Stone Fix, for natural stone wall and floor, in limestone colour. I got everything from the place I got the tiles. They told me what I needed and what quantities I needed for the amount of tiles.

Even if this is okay as grout, it means that he's not used the grout I got for the job and perhaps I won't have enough adhesive. What do you think?

 

[jimbob]

Is it wall or floor tiling, and is the adhesive in a tub or bagged??

 

[Snowfrog]

It's for wall and floor. They're all bags.

 

[Colour Republic]

hmmmm I can't find the product you are refering to, I can find Larsen Professional Flexible Fast Set tile adhesive but not an adhesive AND grout version.

I can't really comment on that product because I haven't used it before but in general I wouldn't use any multi purpose adhesive/Grout

 

[Colour Republic]

Also you say the addy is white and I assume you wanted limestone joints, so are you saying that you now have white joints? If so that's not on because you wanted something else

 

[Snowfrog]

On this bag, The 'flexible fast set', is is big bold white writing on a red background. It says 'tile adhesive & grout' in much smaller orange writing, just below the word professional.

 

[Colour Republic]

It's this one I take it

Larsen Building Products - Products - Tiling - Manufacturer, Supplier of Concrete, Mortar and Plaster, Tiling, Flooring, Waterproofing, Timber and Filling and Sealing products based in Northern Ireland.

Even though it says adhesive and grout in small letters on the bag I can't find any info on the data sheet that suggests it can be used as such, I'm wondering if those words are relating to the types of product Larsen make rather than the uses of the contents?

 

[Snowfrog]

Yes, I wanted limestone joints. I can't wait for it to all be over, he keeps making mistakes. Although the travertine tiles were supposed to be first grade, I found a huge variation in the quality, the amount of filler and general look. I spent ages this weekend sorting through them all, picking out the best ones, (as I'd ordered extra to allow for breakages, cuts etc.), then sealed the ones I wanted used, so the tiler wouldn't mark them when he was walking on them as he was laying them. So what did he do, but use the tiles I'd put aside, this despite my telling him explicitly which ones to use. I really felt like crying. I am not happy.

 

[Snowfrog]

It's this one I take it

Larsen Building Products - Products - Tiling - Manufacturer, Supplier of Concrete, Mortar and Plaster, Tiling, Flooring, Waterproofing, Timber and Filling and Sealing products based in Northern Ireland.

Even though it says adhesive and grout in small letters on the bag I can't find any info on the data sheet that suggests it can be used as such, I'm wondering if those words are relating to the types of product Larsen make rather than the uses of the contents?

Yep, that's the one. Would it be possible to dig that out and re grout, do you think?

 

[Gazzer]

I cant see where it says grout ?? It says Grout after 2 hours!!!

Sounds like this tiler need a swift kick up the back side and out the building.

 

[Colour Republic]

I'm really sorry you've had these problems. It sounds like a headache from start to finish and sealing should be the resposibility of the tiler not yours. If the guy is making such mistakes I can only guess at the quailty of his work as it would appear he doesn't take much care.

How much of the floor has he laid? If it's not a lot it may be worth starting again with someone else, I know you won't want to hear that but in the long run it would be better to finish with a floor that you are happy with and may have to look at for years to come. It is possible to dig out the adhesive but it's not going to be easy and could cause some damage if not done with care.

Do you have any pictures you could upload?

Sorry I couldn't be more positive😳

 

[CON5933]

From what you've said it doesn't sound as if he knows exactly what he's doing...

 

[Snowfrog]

It's almost finished. He couldn't finish today because of the weather, as he couldn't go outside to cut tiles, this after my living in a snowstorm last week as he took it upon himself to cut the tiles inside. I can't take the tiles up as I had an electrician lay under tile heating and I presume that will be damaged if I try to take the tiles up.

 

[Snowfrog]

From what you've said it doesn't sound as if he knows exactly what he's doing...

He's a 'semi-retired' tiler, a relative of a friend.

 

[Gazzer]

He's a 'semi-retired' , a relative of a friend.

He is certainly no tiler !!

 

[Peter]

I use the Larsen stuff listed on the other page quite regularly. Wouldn't be suitable for use as a grout. If you look at the grout joints, usually an adhesive will look more grainy and dirty than a grout would. If it's white adhesive, it'll dry out slighty off white with specs of black/various colours in it,

 

[Colour Republic]

It's almost finished. He couldn't finish today because of the weather, as he couldn't go outside to cut tiles, this after my living in a snowstorm last week as he took it upon himself to cut the tiles inside. I can't take the tiles up as I had an electrician lay under tile heating and I presume that will be damaged if I try to take the tiles up.

I promise you the industry is not like this and it's a few bad eggs that give us all a bad name. If you post some pictures i'm sure the members here will come up with some suggestions to rectify the job. Was there anything laid on top of the under floor heating before he laid the tiles? most tilers like to lay a leveling compound over UFH before tiling to ensure that the cables are not damaged whilst tiling. Some tilers don't as they are careful but it doesn't sound as though this guy is very careful!

I would get the UFH checked out that no damage has been caused by this guy. It is a grey area to withhold payment from a tradesman, you have to go about it in the right manner but judging by what you've told us you would have a case to do so.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi snowfrog....just to clear something up here....where it say's on the bag..tile adhesive and grout....this is actually inconnection with the wording above it on the bag...As in " Larsen proferssional tile adhesive and grout...as in that is what Larsen make...not that this is what is in the bag...all thier bags say this..

Now onto what this fellow has done...i shall not call him a tiler..

What he has done is wrong and will cause you no end of cleaning grief..and no bacterial( anti fungal) protection that most grouts offer.

I think you need to stop him in his tracks and get this problem sorted...it is going to be a nightmare to remove the adhesive now it is set but this is not your fault and his problem to rectify.

Also if he has fixed tiles you stated not to, then this needs mentioning as well...

Please confront him ASAP and then we can see what he say's and take it from there..

 

[Bolter]

Where are you from? Im sure someone from this forum would be willing to pop over and check it all out, on the quiet of course.

If you are near me, I would be happy to.

 

[poynton phil]

It say it in the yellow band at the top of the bag, but no mention of this in the tech sheet, except groutable after 2 hrs.

 

[poynton phil]

If you look in the yellow band at the top of the bag it say's it in there, but it also says it on their bags of grout as well. Proberbly meaning it comes from the larrsons professional range of adhesives and grouts. Bad labeling imo

 

[DHTiling]

I think i just said that phil...it is just larsens advert for their products..professional tile adhesive and grout...wrote on all bags..

 

[Snowfrog]

Hi guys, sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I had to nip out for dog food. CR, he's was paid up to last Friday, he's not been paid for the work he's done today. To be fair to him, the tiles are level, but that's the best thing I can say about his work. As for the UFH, can it be checked without switching on, as it's not supposed to be turned on for a week?

Dave, I did tell him about the tiles this morning, he was full of apologies, but I really don't see any way to reverse what he's done. Thanks for the heads up about grout having anti fungal protection, I can use that as the reason for him to change it. I'm a real scaredy cat and am not looking forward to tackling him. 🙁

 

[poynton phil]

Sorry dave missed you reply

 

[Gazzer]

Never mind what is written on the bag, the client provided GROUT in a chosen colour and this Bozo chose to grout with white adhesive among all the other errors......how many lives does this guy need ? :ban:

 

[poynton phil]

I couldn't agree more sir.

 

[Snowfrog]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'll let you know what happens tomorrow. Wish me luck. 🙂