Extenal tiling should I protect tiles from rain until grouting?

[FreeD]

Been tiling a balcony this week...haven't had a chance to grout it yet and forecast is looking like heavy rain for next week...do I need to protect tiles from rain?...adhesive used - BAL fastflex?

cheers :grouphug:

 

[SandyFloor]

I would. You don't want to risk any trapped water under the tiles because when the cold weather comes along water freezes, expands and can pop or crack the tiles.

 

[kilty55]

yep,i always take a tarpaulin and lay it over the tiled steps etc whenleaving incase it rains

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Been tiling a balcony this week...haven't had a chance to grout it yet and forecast is looking like heavy rain for next week...do I need to protect tiles from rain?...adhesive used - BAL fastflex?

cheers :grouphug:

Hi mate what is the substrate on the balcony?

 

[Stewart]

Definetly need to cover, but I would make it a priority to get it grouted! Did 10 square metres of steps last week, and I was out at five in the morning to get them grouted before the weather changed.

 

[faithhealer]

Definetly need to cover, but I would make it a priority to get it grouted! Did 10 square metres of steps last week, and I was out at five in the morning to get them grouted before the weather changed.

dedication threre mate

 

[SandyFloor]

Definetly need to cover, but I would make it a priority to get it grouted! Did 10 square metres of steps last week, and I was out at five in the morning to get them grouted before the weather changed.

I agree. I would make grouting a priority

 

[FreeD]

Its a fibreglass flat roof...used as a balcony also.

I haven't finished the tiling yet and start a new job this week...so can't grout yet, have to finish next weekend....

The adhesive is water resistant and has gone off so not sure I see the need for covering? Its highly unlikely we will get freezing conditions this month.

Cheers

 

[Stewart]

If water makes it's way under the tile (which it will, if it rains) it becomes trapped and is almost impossible to remove. You then grout the tiles trapping the water underneath. When winter comes, trapped water freezes and that's when your problems start. Fingers crossed for no rain!

 

[david campbell]

get them grouted asap
and cover with tarpaulen if you can't,make sure it's weighted down:smilewinkgrin:

 

[FreeD]

I see what your saying but the adhesive has a high water content in it when the tiles are initially laid...grouting same day would trap this underneath the tiles.

I'm heading over now to cover as you lot have made me really paranoid!

:yikes:

 

[heavytrevy]

Cement glues dry via chemical reaction not evaporation ? unless your thinking bout Mastic type glues.
Trapped water under tiles will always result in efflorescence and patchy grout , doesn't look pretty

Trev

I see what your saying but the adhesive has a high water content in it when the tiles are initially laid...grouting same day would trap this underneath the tiles.

I'm heading over now to cover as you lot have made me really paranoid!

:yikes:

 

[Richard Edwards]

Spot on replies to this issue

Bal fast flex is a polymer enhanced cement based ady with fine rubber crumb and is a brillant ady to use on that application. I wont ask you what prep you have done prior to tiling as the tiles are now down and you only get the colly wobbles and go into a decline even further.

Now about this water under the tile.
If it has got wet already, ie rain on it - cover it and wait for a really warm spell so the tiles heat up and wait a couple of days to dry out all the voids between the ady bedding, then grout it and be sure to add a polymer to the grout or grout with a top qual flexible external rated grout . If you managed to keep it dry - grout asap in the dry.

 

[FreeD]

Ok to follow on from this the customer has now requested that the top of the tiles are cleaned. The tiles have been relayed and some have algae etc on them. I was planning on using Aqua Mix heavy duty tile and grout cleaner. Guess i'm going to have to do this before grouting (they are using a light colour grout)? and be careful not to get the cleaner/water between the joints? then grout...what do you recommend?

 

[Richard Edwards]

Hi FreeD
I am a bit confused here - If the tiles have / had Algae on them, then presummably there must have been an extended time gap between inital fixing with Bal Fast flex and the present time. When u say that the tiles have been relayed, are you saying that u have lifted them recently and relayed them ?

I would consider using a deep cleaner or biocyide to kill the algae and you will have to accept that washing water and rinse water will get in to the grout joints. Then wait for a dry spell with sunshine on the tile surface to dry out the undertile before grouting.

If the balcony is free-draining I might consider a pressure washer then allow it to dry out fully before grouting -- Sounds a bit of problem there me old lover [Thats Bristolian speak for my mate ]

If you are using light coloured grout externally - you might consider grout protection spray or solution from LTP range