Didn't user superflex grout in kitchen

[gedi]

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice as i've made a mistake with grout types. when tiling a 25m2 kitchen (novice tiler). I used Bal wide joint grout instead of the equivalent Bal superflex! - I was tiling onto ply which was on top of standard wooden floor.

I used the correct adhesive but was just wondering how much trouble i'm in for.

It is a brand new house should i bite the bullet and re-grout.

Thanks in advance.

 

[grumpygrouter]

You should have had the Admix GT1 in with the grout. Depending how solid the floor is you may get away with it but I doubt it.

If the grout is freshly laid, I would take it out and re-do it while it is still soft-ish. Longer you leave it the harder it will get and the more difficult to remove.

Wide joint was fine as long as the grout line width was sfficient for it, just get the admix and do it again. Better safe than (very, very) sorry.


If i haven't welcomed you before, welcome to the forums.
Grumpy

 

[gedi]

Thanks for the reply and advice, i'm starting the regrouting :-(

Could you give me info on what qrout and adhesive i should use for the following.

150x150x9 porcelain tiles to be used on kitchen walls - Can i user the Bal red star or should i user bal microcolour? do i need the flexible grout for i can i user normal bal wide joint, should i use the gt1? (The tiles are zamora from topps i know the floor version are porccelain and got told the 150x150's were too)

300x250 ceramic tiles to be used on bathroom walls, and in shower - Which adhesive and grout.

300x300 porcelain tiles in utility utility - Which adhesive and grout.

500x500 marble on bathroom floor - going to use narror joints for these. - which adhesive and grout.

I am limited in which grouts and adhesive i can get so would like to stick to Bal.

Thanks for any advice, i don't want to make any more mistakes!!

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hi Gedi, you can use BAL Mosaic-Fix for all of the stuff you are wanting to fix. The grout choice whether wide joint or not depends on the width of you grout line really. Basically if you choose any BAL flexible grout you will be fine. Just remember that wide joint grouts should only be used in joints over 3 mm. Anything less than that you need a finer powder based grout. Microflex in both normal and wide joint would be absolutley fine.

Microflex wall grout 1mm -5mm lines, microflex wide joint 3mm-12mm line.

Grumpy

 

[GazTech]

Thanks for the reply and advice, i'm starting the regrouting :-(

Could you give me info on what qrout and adhesive i should use for the following.

150x150x9 porcelain tiles to be used on kitchen walls - Can i user the Bal red star or should i user bal microcolour? do i need the flexible grout for i can i user normal bal wide joint, should i use the gt1? (The tiles are zamora from topps i know the floor version are porccelain and got told the 150x150's were too)

300x250 ceramic tiles to be used on bathroom walls, and in shower - Which adhesive and grout.

300x300 porcelain tiles in utility utility - Which adhesive and grout.

500x500 marble on bathroom floor - going to use narror joints for these. - which adhesive and grout.

I am limited in which grouts and adhesive i can get so would like to stick to Bal.

Thanks for any advice, i don't want to make any more mistakes!!

White star for your Zamora, which are 200 x 100, and superflex wall grout.Blue star, bal grip or white star(if power shower)microflex wall grout.300 x 300 porcelain 500 x 500 marble which substrate and what preparation......Gaz

 

[grumpygrouter]

...and here's me trying to keep it simple!

Grumpy

 

[gedi]

White star for your Zamora, which are 200 x 100, and superflex wall grout.Blue star, bal grip or white star(if power shower)microflex wall grout.300 x 300 porcelain 500 x 500 marble which substrate and what preparation......Gaz

Gaz- think this is what your after:stupid:

300x300 are the qrock from topps, going to use 5mm spacing. Using 9mm ply on chipboard on trusses @ 400mm centres.

500x500 are polished marble - do u recomend the 1-2mm spacings as this looks better with this type of tile. Again 9mm ply on chipboard on truses 400mm centres.

grupmy - can't get the bal mosaic in the local shops is it worth me ordering it online, all i can get is bal rapidset flexible adhesive, + superflex grout +

Thanks again

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hi Gedi, I only recommended Mosaic-Fix cos it will do all the jobs for you without chopping and changing, but yes looking at the BAL Powerspec product selector, it would appear that rapidset flexy is suitable. Ply overlay isn't to Brit Standards though, so if there were problems with the fixing, BAL wouldn't accept any warranty claims.

Mosaic-fix has a 5 hr bucket life, but I suppose with marble being porous you may not want it sitting around in the addy too long in case it stains. Perhaps Rapid set may be better in that respect but you will need to work quickly and mix up small batches at a time.

Grumpy

 

[gedi]

Hi Gedi, I only recommended Mosaic-Fix cos it will do all the jobs for you without chopping and changing, but yes looking at the BAL Powerspec product selector, it would appear that rapidset flexy is suitable. Ply overlay isn't to Brit Standards though, so if there were problems with the fixing, BAL wouldn't accept any warranty claims.

Mosaic-fix has a 5 hr bucket life, but I suppose with marble being porous you may not want it sitting around in the addy too long in case it stains. Perhaps Rapid set may be better in that respect but you will need to work quickly and mix up small batches at a time.

Grumpy

Thanks forgot to mention the areas concerned are tiny:

300x300 qrock - 4.5m2 utility
500x500 marble - 3m2 on-suite

I know British standards also say to use minimum 5mm joints am i asking for trouble with the 1-2mm with my marble.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Thanks forgot to mention the areas concerned are tiny:

300x300 qrock - 4.5m2 utility
500x500 marble - 3m2 on-suite

I know British standards also say to use minimum 5mm joints am i asking for trouble with the 1-2mm with my marble.

That bit I can't really advise on as I have not got any experience with laying floors with so small a line. It is movement on a timber floor that is the problem, with a small grout line you will have less room for flexing. The more experienced guys may give you the answer to that.

Grumpy

 

[GazTech]

Thanks forgot to mention the areas concerned are tiny:

300x300 qrock - 4.5m2 utility
500x500 marble - 3m2 on-suite

I know British standards also say to use minimum 5mm joints am i asking for trouble with the 1-2mm with my marble.

For small areas,like these I would suggest 2 part flexible which is available in white if your marble is opaque,this will prevent bleed through.I would use 2mm joint for marble but use superflex with added GT1 polymer for extra give.all thes products are available at Topps and carry a 25 yr guarantee.......Gaz
BAL Fastflex Powder & Liquid

A two part, rapid-setting, sulphate-resistant, water-resistant and frost-resistant floor tile adhesive and isolating, anti-fracture underlay, suitable for use in interior and exterior locations. Suitable for fixing ceramic floor and porcelain tiles and mosaics (including fully vitrified), dark natural stone and slate. Suitable for use on tile backer boards, glazed tiles, concrete bases, cement:sand screeds, tongue & groove floorboarding, plywood overlay, floating plywood/chipboard floors, ceramic/quarry tile/terrazzo/hard natural stone bases, vinyl tiles/sheet, mastic asphalt, steel, glass reinforced polyester (GRP), steel and galvanised steel. Conforms to BS EN 12004, Type C, Class 1F.


BAL Superflex Wide Joint Grout

A highly flexible, water and frost-resistant cement-based powder grout with built-in admixture specially designed for use in areas where increased flexibility and enhanced durability are required. Suitable for grouting tiles with joint widths up to 20mm. Suitable for interior and exterior locations on both wall and floor tiling. Ideal for grouting limited movement areas such as timber floors or heated screeds. Suitable for grouting in swimming pools. Conforms to BS EN 13888, Type C, Class G2.

BAL Admix GT1

A polymer additive for BAL cement-based grouts. Not for use with adhesives. The addition of BAL ADMIX GT1 greatly improves the physical properties and characteristics of the grout.

• Increased mechanical strength.
• Increased flexural strength and flexibility.
• Reduced water permeability.