Hi Folks

[sgwilko]

I live in Sutton AT Hone, just outside Dartford.

I am an amateur tiler. having tiled a kitchen (very recently) and a bathroom in our old place back in 2004.

For the first time I am using large format porcelain tiles and cement based adhesive all from Topps in order to renovate our bathroom.

I've plumbed in the bath, and have started fixing the tiles to the walls - which were mostly in good nick after scraping the old tiles and adhesive off the walls. One wall took a bit of a hammering, and I patched this with a plaster repair kit, smoothed as best I could, allowed to set and sealed with bal primer.


Tiles have started going up - Zamora beige 30 x 60 - and they look stunning. I am just paranoid that they are so heavy, having never used this type of adhesive that you have to mix yourself.


According to the directions on this adhesive (topps trade adhesive) I shold use a 5mm thickness of adhesive. This seems to hold the tiles OK, but will it last? Told you I was paranoid - I've even been dreaming that the tiles are falling off the walls!!!

The reason I am so worried is that I stuck a cut piece of tile to the windowsill, which about a day later I was unhappy with, so took it up - it came up easily with the use of a screwdriver!!!

Am I worrying over nothing?

Sorry BTW for putting this in the intro section!!

Cheers.

Stuart.

 

[Gazzer]

the problem here is will the original substrate take the weight of the tiles ???

Quote "A common question, how much weight can my wall support, here are the reccommended max weight ratings in KG / m2

Plaster Skim on Plaster Board........20KG
Skim and Set Plaster...................28KG
Plaster Board.............................32KG
Sand and Cement.......................40KG
Cement Backer Board..................55KG
Hardibacker Board.......................45KG
Lightweight Tile Backer Board........40KG
Glass Reinforced Cement Sheet.....50KG
Gypsum Fibre Board.....................40KG

Remember to factor in the weight of the tile / m2 AND adhesive and grout

Grout.........2KG / m2
Adhesive....4KG / m2"

 

[sgwilko]

Hi Sir Ramic

Thanks so much for the speedy reply!

The good news is that the house was not built recently, and so the novelty of builders using bricks and breeze blocks had not worn off. Even the internal walls (dividingng bathroom from airing cupboard and toilet) are of solid construction and not stud partitions.

 

[Gazzer]

So are you saying the walls are Skim and Set Plaster? which means ...................28KG per m2 of tiles inc adh and grout.

 

[Gazzer]

Also what method are you using for applying the adhesive ?

 

[sgwilko]

All walls are plaster skimmed breeze block.

Adhesive is applied to the wall with an applicator with a 5mm tooth depth - except for areas I cannot do this (end of run etc) so apply the adhesive to the back of the tile (and mostly over me too getting full tile coverage!).

I am sticking up one row at a time and allowing 24 hours to set befor applying the next row.

A box of 6 tiles - just over 1mSq weighs less than a 20KG bag of adhesive, so I guess 20KG/Sqm max.

 

[sgwilko]

Please excuse my poor spelling - proof reading not one of my strong points!!!

 

[Gazzer]

For that size tile I would be using at least an 8mm notch trowel, probably 10mm !

 

[sgwilko]

Bugger - really. Hmmm, so do you think I should start again? I'll run the risk of damaging the tiles already up......

 

[Gazzer]

Well that's is really for you to decide. If I had heard that a tiler had used such a method I would be calling him a cowboy ...as its you then I shall only advise what is technically correct IMO.

 

[DN1986]

Welcome SGWilko!

 

[Gazzer]

http://www.tilersforums.com/tiling-forum/13313-all-questions-i-asked-when-i.html
Which trowel......

Different trowel's for different scenario's, as a guide........

Mosaics...........................4mm Notch
Kitchen Walls....................6mm Notch
Good Bathroom Walls......... 8mm Notch
Bad Bathroom Walls...........10mm Notch
Good Floors.....................10mm Notch
Reasonable Floors.............12mm Notch
Large Format Tiles............12mm Notch
Rough Floors....................13mm Notch


Dry Wall Area's................Notched Trowel
Wet Wall Area's...............Thin Solid Bed Trowel
Floors / External Area's.....Thick Solid Bed Trowel
Tiles over 300 x 300.........Large Format Trowel
Mosaics upto 100 x 100....4mm Mosaic Trowel

 

[Gazzer]

For your info the tiles you are using are Large format.

 

[sgwilko]

Yikes. OK - in your opinion, do you think the tiles as I have fixed them will be secure?

 

[Gazzer]

I wouldnt be happy with them and seeing as you said one came away easily it would worry me.

 

[sgwilko]

Well, I've just rung the wife, and had her try to pull one of the cut tiles off the wall - as this has easier access can be easily grabbed hold off. With both hands she could not budge it.

I will do a screwdriver test when I get in tonight and see...............

 

[suave]

welcome!

 

[nybor62]

i would also back skim the tiles with flat edge of trowel , will give a much bettet bed of addy imo

oh and welcome

 

[DHTiling]

Hello Stuart and welcome..

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome...

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and:welcome:

 

[Ian]

Welcome along to TF

 

[Andy Allen]

welcome to the forum..

 

[sgwilko]

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!! Had to drill through two of the tiles last night in prep for fitting the sink. These tiles have been put up on boxwork I made to hide plumbing etc as I am fitting a sink with a semi pedestal, and the waste is routed internally.

I sealed the boxwork prior to hanging the tiles. The tiles were very tough to drill, and even with the drill bit banging about through the tile the adhesive held fine.

At least I'll know for next time...........