I'm not advocating but..

[cone]

Like the title suggests, I'm not advocating ever using this but have to admit, anytime I've used it near 20 yr ago, any tiles I've stuck to it where still well bonded once I removed about 5 yr ago when retiling bathrooms for family members. Its the aul PVA debate. Now, I wouldn't dare use the stuff now after reading up on it and learning more about primer but like I mentioned earlier, I was guilty of this when just starting out and would only use the appropriate primer now but what's the big deal about using PVA for priming if one tiles and grouts the walls properly. If no water/moisture gets behind the tiles/grout then the PVA will never fail. I've primed plasterboard and newly plastered walls with PVA mid 90s and low and behold, not one tile failed a decade later. Maybe Im one of the lucky ones who used it, just curious was this the case for anyone else on here.

 

[Andy Allen]

Main difference is tiles are alot bigger and heavier than they were 20 years ago....and things move on and improve so its good practice to move with the times. .

 

[Dave]

Suppose it depends on dilution and adhesive used , PVA will not prevent ettrignite if using a cement based on gypsum substrate though.