Johnsons (for B&Q) 'floor' tiles lifting

[Biddy]

Hi everyone, I am a new member of the forum and wonder if someone can give me some advice on the following. I was asked to tile an ensuite floor but when I saw the tiles I told the customer they were not floor tiles, but wall. They told me they were sold as floor tiles to them by B&Q. To ease my concerns I phoned Johnsons, quoted the tile name, Emperador natural stone effect 361x276x9mm. They confirmed it could be used on either. I went ahead and layed them using 2 part adhesive (Granfix single part flex powder and latex liquid) on a firm, secure chipboard floor (March). The customer has now been in touch with me to say they are lifting in different areas. I went to see what was happening and found the adhesive is securely fixed to the floor but the tiles has lifted cleanly from the adhesive. I have taken a tile to some reputable tile outlets who have all stated, in their opinion, it is a wall tile and not suitable for floors which confirmed my original concerns to the customer. The tile backing is only very finely grooved - approx 1 to 2 mm wide and deep - which in my opinion is not sufficient for the adhesive to key to for floor use and foot traffic. No floor tiles in the independent outlets had any backings similar and it was the only one in B&Q also in the floor tile section. Has anyone come across this before? Any advice or comments regards similar problem/solution would be most welcome. Thanks.

 

[peteablard]

Did you tile directly to the chipboard or did you overboard it first?

 

[Del W]

Granfix states their addy is suitable for stable chipboard.Did you use their primer first?
Did you backskim the tiles?

Tiling direct to chipboard is not a good idea IMO.

 

[village tiling]

on the box somewhere it will state thate the tiles are only suitable for wetrooms and showeroom floors only ie not kitchens/hallwaysetc... i personally wouldnt put them on 'any' floor as i feel the glaze and the integrity of those particular tiles are not suitable for floors but that is just my opinion and i would never personally tile straight on to chipboard i would overlay with hardi-backer but that is also my opinion.

 

[Gazzer]

A little bit confusing as a search on the Johnsons site show tiles of similar name but in different size to what you say.
The Walls and floors site show a tile of the same name and same size but state its a wall tile.....take a look..
Emperador Wall Tiles Toba Bathroom Tiles 360x275x9mm from Walls and Floors - Leading Tile Specialists - Over 20 Million Tiles In Stock - Sold Per Sqm

Johnson - Tiles

 

[robbbin]

I have fixed these to floors as well there are 3 styles in the range, all state suitable for floors, never had a problem, on a timber floor prime the surface and back butter, also I use topps flexi rapid... B and Q were selling for £10 mt 2 weeks ago. In my opinion fantastic value

 

[Rookery]

Whether they are suitable for floors or not I'm not sure though I have fixed tiles called Emperador from Tile Giant though I cant remember what size they were or where I fixed them! However, as the poster hasn't reported any breakages only tiles lifting, I would suggest the problem is in the fixing. I wouldn't tile direct to wood/chipboard either, preferring to overboard with Hardie. As the adhesive appears to have adhered to the substrate but not the tile this leads me to think that either the tiles weren't back skimmed, the adhesive open time wasn't kept to, the tiles weren't wiggled into place, or the backs of the tiles were dusty. Or a combination of all these.

 

[bugs183]

I agree with Rookery, I doubt the tiles are at fault here, with regards to the fixing.
But i've been asked to use these before and they are not suitable for any floor in my opinion, if they hadn't of lifted, the glaze will have worn esoon enough.
I 100% refuse to fix this tile, and Johnsons should know better.

 

[Andy Allen]

i knocked back 2 jobs last year when asked to fix these tiles to a floor, if you were to see this tile you would assume it was just a wall tile, i certainly wouldnt fix them to any floor..

 

[swanman]

ALways back butter anyway

Never tile straight onto chip board

 

[Biddy]

Thanks to all who have replied to my message. much appreciated

 

[Biddy]

straight onto chipboard as i was told by tile shop and granfix booklet that the adhesive and latex were suitable for chipboard floors