A
andyb
Hi Guys - not sure whether to post here or in the adhesives forum - I guess it depends if you think the problem I'm describing is adhesive related or something else...
Anyway, have had more than one 'flood' in the kitchen over the years - once from the washing machine door springing open and emptying the contents and another with a bath leak through the ceiling. The thermoplastic floor tiles that came with the house started cracking and lifting and in the end we thought we would just rip it up and lay tiles.
However, although the thermoplastic tiles came up easily enough, the bitumen-like glue underneath didn't.
Research revealed that it would be inadvisable to lay tiles onto that surface without cleaning the bitumen/glue off first. As an alternative I read that you could overlay the concrete subfloor with plywood and then tile on top of that, with an appropriate adhesive.
A trip to Travis Perkins and I was advised to use 5mm ext grade plywood ('this is what everyone uses') - duly delivered and laid and held down by Fischer Nylon Hammerfix F 6 x 40mm fixings at 450mm centres. This was laid over a 4mm layer of Airtec Double Foil Reflective Bubble Insulation to try and reduce heat loss through the floor.
After watching the 'how-to' video that came with the ceramic tiles we purchased in the sale from Homebase (round the corner), I opted for grey Evo Stick 'Tile a Floor' ready mixed Flexible adhesive & grout for ceramic tiles - water proof - allows wide joints - wooden floors version - sounds like the business.
The bucket had a clock label marked 'standard set' with the hands at '10 to 2'. I initially thought this meant 4 hours (!) however, the instructions say allow a minimum of 24 hours before grouting.
My problem is that I laid the first batch of tiles last Thursday (17th Jan). Inspecting the floor today to see if I could start grouting I realised that two of the tiles had 'popped' and were loose. I suspect other tiles may have a similar problem but I don't want to do too much poking until I know what the problem is...
On lifting one of the popped tiles I realised that, although the adhesive had dried around the perimeter of the tile, the adhesive from about 10mm in was still wet! When lifted the adhesive split equally between the tile and the floor.
Is this a subfloor problem? an adhesive problem? a technique issue? temperature/humidity?
Grateful for any ideas
Over to you...
Anyway, have had more than one 'flood' in the kitchen over the years - once from the washing machine door springing open and emptying the contents and another with a bath leak through the ceiling. The thermoplastic floor tiles that came with the house started cracking and lifting and in the end we thought we would just rip it up and lay tiles.
However, although the thermoplastic tiles came up easily enough, the bitumen-like glue underneath didn't.
Research revealed that it would be inadvisable to lay tiles onto that surface without cleaning the bitumen/glue off first. As an alternative I read that you could overlay the concrete subfloor with plywood and then tile on top of that, with an appropriate adhesive.
A trip to Travis Perkins and I was advised to use 5mm ext grade plywood ('this is what everyone uses') - duly delivered and laid and held down by Fischer Nylon Hammerfix F 6 x 40mm fixings at 450mm centres. This was laid over a 4mm layer of Airtec Double Foil Reflective Bubble Insulation to try and reduce heat loss through the floor.
After watching the 'how-to' video that came with the ceramic tiles we purchased in the sale from Homebase (round the corner), I opted for grey Evo Stick 'Tile a Floor' ready mixed Flexible adhesive & grout for ceramic tiles - water proof - allows wide joints - wooden floors version - sounds like the business.
The bucket had a clock label marked 'standard set' with the hands at '10 to 2'. I initially thought this meant 4 hours (!) however, the instructions say allow a minimum of 24 hours before grouting.
My problem is that I laid the first batch of tiles last Thursday (17th Jan). Inspecting the floor today to see if I could start grouting I realised that two of the tiles had 'popped' and were loose. I suspect other tiles may have a similar problem but I don't want to do too much poking until I know what the problem is...
On lifting one of the popped tiles I realised that, although the adhesive had dried around the perimeter of the tile, the adhesive from about 10mm in was still wet! When lifted the adhesive split equally between the tile and the floor.
Is this a subfloor problem? an adhesive problem? a technique issue? temperature/humidity?
Grateful for any ideas
Over to you...
