Gulf Stone Quartz Tile -10mm Or 12mm And Type Of Grout

[Lee@emctiles]

Thanks for the photos Lee. Just ordered some from you now to test and see what they are like.

Do you recommend sealing the tile before grouting? i know that the gulfstone say that they are sealed already but do you suggest doing these again?

we've never recommended sealing these tile @Paul Panteli

 

[J Sid]

Hi @JulianSidney it does state that on the box, correct.

however, i believe that TM have indeed written a spec for fixing this Gulfstone to your good self, why not upload the letter to the forum so we can put this to bed.

Ulitmate is perfectly fine to use with Gulfstone.

Yes Lee
Here is the reply

Morning Julian,
Many thanks for your enquiry into fixing materials for fixing Quartz Tiles.

There are a few manufacturers that recommend fixing these tiles with a 2 part adhesive and I think that a lot of this has been driven by Mapei’s recommendations of using their 2 part system. We have a lot of experience of Gulf Stone Tiles, we know the owners of Gulf Stone UK very well and in fact we were their sole supplier of adhesive for many years. We have also been involved in many projects where these tiles have been fixed.

Our experience tells us that the issues and failures associated with this type of resin agglomerated tile are largely down to moisture being prevalent below the tile, either within the adhesive or within the substrate. Moisture can cause these tiles to mis-shape and “dish” in that the corners of the tiles can curl. We have seen that the moisture within the tile adhesive can cause this, in particular when standard setting adhesives are used, because the moisture is prevalent within the adhesive for much longer than a rapid setting adhesive.

The ways to avoid this happening are to use adhesives with a low water addition and also to use adhesives with high initial bond strengths.

Our Ultimate adhesive has a very low water addition level, approximately 1 litre per 20kg lower than our other adhesives, this relates to around 20 – 25% less water. The initial bond strengths of Ultimate are also extremely good, the bond strength is considerably higher than the other adhesives in our range. For these reasons, we recommend Ultimate adhesive as our chosen adhesive for fixing resin agglomerated tiles and guarantee the product for this use. Ultimate has been our recommended adhesive for this type of tile for several years, many projects have been completed successfully using this system.

We have a 2 part adhesive within our range but do not believe that it is necessary to use a 2 part system when we have a product such as Ultimate adhesive in our range.

Just as a final note Julian, it is important that the Quartz tiles are back buttered as well as serrating the substrate in the normal way.

I hope this information assists and answers your questions,

Yours
Glynn Griffin
Technical Support
Tilemaster Adhesives Limited
Unit 4 Tomlinson Point
Tomlinson Road
Leyland, PR25 2DY

My argument is, shouldn't we us the materials / fixing method recommend by the tile manufacturers / supplier?

 

[Lee@emctiles]

TBH, think that is a great response from TileMaster.

i shall carry on recommending Ultimate. I like the technical back up i get when recommending a company like TM.

 

[White Room]

we've never recommended sealing these tile @Paul Panteli

I sealed the ones I laid and they did feel different, as I believe it was recommended.

 

[Paul Panteli]

I sealed the ones I laid and they did feel different, as I believe it was recommended.

Do you suggest thatI shouldnt seal the Gulfstone tiles?

 

[Paul Panteli]

thanks for all your advice everyone.

Just a final question on the Primer on the existing concrete floor. Seen many different brands, which of the following do you recommend? Not do bothered about the cost, just looking for the best primer.

Thanks

• Silka SBR + Waterproof Bonding Agent
  
• Bal Primer
  
• Bal Bond SBR
  
• Mapei Eco Prim T
• Mapei Primer G
  
• Tilemaster Primeplus
• Weber PR360

 

[J Sid]

use the primer recommend by the adhesive you choose

 

[Stef]

Do you suggest thatI shouldnt seal the Gulfstone tiles?

I wouldn't seal gulfstone.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Hi,

We removed the original Quartz tiles (300x300) yesterday and noticed that there was some remaining Bitumen on the floor - seems like it was attempted to be removed by the previous owners, but some still remaining.

Also when laying down the new 600x600 quartz tiles to see how the look, the floor seems slightly uneven in certain areas (concrete floor)

Clearly we wont lay them down until the floor is level.

Going to be using Mapei Keraquick two part to install these tiles.

Looking for some advice please.

1) Should I prime the floor first, with say Mapei Eco Prim grip, then use SLC and then prime again before laying the tiles?

2) Which SLC do you recommend?

3) Going to use Mapei Kerapoxy grout, however when reading a number of posts on this forum, a number of people have said that it can be quite hazardous to use. Is this correct.

Appreciate your hep.

 

[Stef]

Hi,

We removed the original Quartz tiles (300x300) yesterday and noticed that there was some remaining Bitumen on the floor - seems like it was attempted to be removed by the previous owners, but some still remaining.

Also when laying down the new 600x600 quartz tiles to see how the look, the floor seems slightly uneven in certain areas (concrete floor)

Clearly we wont lay them down until the floor is level.

Going to be using Mapei Keraquick two part to install these tiles.

Looking for some advice please.

1) Should I prime the floor first, with say Mapei Eco Prim grip, then use SLC and then prime again before laying the tiles?

2) Which SLC do you recommend?

3) Going to use Mapei Kerapoxy grout, however when reading a number of posts on this forum, a number of people have said that it can be quite hazardous to use. Is this correct.

Appreciate your hep.

Yes, Eco prim grip the floor then use Mapei Ultraplan Eco for your slc, it flows really well as it takes almost 6ltr of water to a 23kg bag.
I've always stayed clear of epoxy grout, never needed it for any jobs so haven't used it.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Thanks Stef.

Only reason i was looking at the Epoxy was that it wont stain easily in the kitchen. What do you suggest as an alternative?

 

[White Room]

After you've grouted use a grout protector.

 

[Paul Panteli]

Can you suggest the best one?

 

[White Room]

Fila is the one I've used, whether it's the best is personal choice.

 

[ExplodingPudding]

Stay away from water. Gulfstone tiles hate the stuff. Try and use polymer additives instead.