Help with tile adhesive

[nwatson6]

Hello, I have been lurking around here trying to get "genned" up. I am tiling a bathroom and have never done any tiling before, but reading the posts on this forum has given me the courage to have a go.

The tiles are around 33x25cm ceramic, and I am going to use readymixed waterproof adhesive, as I am not sure how long it will take me. I have about 17sqm to tile. Some of that is a shower enclosure.

I had narrowed my adhesive down to Buildfix Showerproof adhesive from B&Q at £19.98 for 15Kg, it was my understanding that this is an adhesive by Mapei. My problem is that between deciding what to get and trying to get some, none of the stores near me appear to have any in stock.

Can anyone help in recommending an alternative I can buy this weekend in store, as I want to have a go at this job over half term. There is a Tile Giant and a Topps about 15 miles away, I am hoping I can get something there at a similar price??? Tile Giant have no prices on their website, Topps seem to just do BAL which looks expensive.

Help appreciated.

Neil

 

[Gazzer]

Go to tile Giant and get Mapei Bagged adhesive.

 

[faithhealer]

Welcome neil, forget the ready mix, tile Giant, mapei P9 is what I would use

 

[White Room]

Use Mapei P9, it lasts 8 hours in the bucket so gives you more time

 

[nwatson6]

Wow thanks for the prompt replies, any ideas what I will pay as a punter, and how far a bag goes? I have no tools for mixing, can it be done by hand, and if so are the instructions idiot proof?

 

[brian c]

use a drill with a paddle mixer(£5 from b and q)

 

[nwatson6]

What I should also have added, three of the walls are new plasterboard the remaining wall is plastered. Would I need to do any wall prep if I go for the P9.

thanks??

 

[White Room]

Walls needs priming with mapei G or bal apd, I'd go belt and braces and prime them all

 

[doug boardley]

as all good advice above from me!

 

[Daz]

Not all TG stores stock P9 (my local store does not ), so you may need to use Mapei Keraflex instead (still has an 8 hour bucket life, so no worries). I always prime plasterboard and plastered walls with an acrylic primer, such as Mapei Primer G, before commencing.

Good luck, take your time and think hard about your setting out before you stick your first tile as it will make or break the job.