Help! Ceramic floor tiles won't stick to hardboard

[Unregistered]

I'm trying to make a cheap diy "hearth" for my open fire as money is scarce! I thought I'd use hardboard as a base, thinking it didn't need to be too thick as no-one would be walking on it. Bought a piece of hardboard (shiny both sides as that's all I could get) and then proceeded to use tile adhesive/grout - applied to the hardboard - then laid the tiles in place moving them as instructed to get a good grip. Then waited 4 hours as it said before attempting to grout them. But... much to my dismay they hadn't stuck!! : ( I've probably done something stupid, but can someone please help? Now I am left with hardboard and tiles covered with adhesive. If I try to scrape most of the adhesive off and try again will new adhesive work on top of the remains of the old? What can I do?

Struggling Artist

 

[Olz]

Clean the tiles down whilst the adhesive is still wet, ditch the hardboard, the shiny surface makes it impracticle to tile onto, replace it with ply / plasterboard / cement board / aqua panel / hardibacker tile board, which wont cost much and retile.

 

[david campbell]

if the hardboard has a veneered finish then there is nothing for the adhesive to absorb into,why don't you try a 12mm/18mm ply,u will be able to pick up of cuts in the local b&q for about 50p

 

[Unregistered]

Thankyou guys, wish I'd thought of asking you first!! I did this last night so the adhesive is already dry sadly. I have scraped most of it off the hardboard, just a thin layer left now. If I'm unable to get new board would the tiles adhere to that?

 

[brian c]

if its a hearth,then 12mm plywood or backerboard is better,incase someone stands on it.

 

[Leatherface]

Hi have done a few hearths before, have always opted for cement board, absolutely no fire risk

 

[CBTC]

I assume the tiles are ok, just all the hardboard stuck to the back of them - try soaking them to break down the hardbord and scrape it off. Sdepending on the type of tile adhesive that may be more difficult, but there arent too many so slow and careful scraping with an old wood chisel, old rasp should get them near enough evened off to use again. You are just aimng to remove any ridges, lumps etc not every trace. Then get a cement backer board as already suggested and start over. Good luck - dont panic!

 

[smurf21]

The moisture from the adhesive will warp the hardboard regardless of how many times you try to stick the tiles....scrap the HB and use no more ply or some similar backer board the size of the hearth it wont break the bank...........Ban Hardboard:ban:

 

[Unregistered]

Thanks for all your advice! The dreaded hardboard is in the bin!! The tiles are cleaned off and I just need to find out where to get cement board from? Then I'm ready to try again (sigh) if I could just get out of the house...SNOW!!

 

[Unregistered]

The hardboard is now in the bin!! The tiles are cleaned off and I'm ready to try again (sigh)...
My sister has some 9mm MDF she can give me - would this be ok to use?

just to clarify a bit more - it's a "temporary" hearth as I'm in a rented property - so it is literally a piece of board with tiles on placed on top of carpet in front of the fire!! The fire is a hole in the wall type so the hearth is below it on the floor, not in direct heat. It's really just to protect the carpet. It won't be getting wet - except for a wipe over with a damp cloth on the tiles. It won't be stood on and there will be a fender all round the edge of it.

What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[CBTC]

No dont use MDF - tilebacker board available from such as Topps Travis Perkins and better tile retailers.