mirror white stone quartz

[peterpat]

Hi all, I am looking for some advice regarding mirror white stone quartz floor tiles bought from my local TG 600 x 600.
I am not a tiler but have worked in the building trade for 38 years and felt well competent to tackle my own floor tiling with a little advise on materials from the tile giant man.
I explained total area was 33 metres, 75% being 18mm plywood and 25% concrete, was advised to use mapei proflexible adhesive, ultra colour plus grout and to seal before and after grouting using MPG sealer all of which were purchased with the tiles.

Tiles have been down for a week and I have noticed a small number of the tiles appear to have curled up slightly on the edges mostly on the plywood side but this has also occurred on one or two on the concrete part, it is not a massive curl 1 or 2mm but is noticeable when putting a straight edge across the tile also hollow sounding when tapping the edge of the tile, rest of the tile remains solid.
I have held off from grouting the tiles and have searched for possible reasons/solutions etc, there appears to be many different opinions regarding appropriate adhesives in particular I have noticed some advise not to use water based adhesive?
Would really appreciate any advice from anybody who has used these tiles with the mapei proflexible adhesive and with what outcome.
Thanks.

 

[Andy Allen]

is there any under floor heating?

 

[peterpat]

Thanks for your reply, there is no underfloor heating.

 

[Andy Allen]

was the adhesive rapid setting?

 

[peterpat]

Thanks again for your quick reply Andy, yes it was rapid set.

 

[Andy Allen]

i take it these are the rasin bonded tiles?

if so a 2 part adhesive would of been better something like mapei Granirapid..

i would check with mapei tech depot to make sure the adhesive you have used is correct for these types of tiles.

have you spoken to tg about it?

 

[Discount Tile Supplies]

I would get TG out to have a look. Never known it to curl up on the edges! Would need to take a few tiles up to find out why.

 

[Rookery]

I've seen this with Gulfstone and also read about similar occurences. Gulfstone state that these tiles should be fixed with a 2 part adhesive. I would have used Keraquick + latex. I would ask the tile manufacturer what their recommendations are. Were there any instructions on the packaging? What trowel did you use and did you back skim the tiles as well as trowelling the floor? Any movement joints installed?

 

[Discount Tile Supplies]

I spoke to Gulf Stone the other week and their rep said single part adhesive. I cant see why the adhesive would make the tiles curl up unless there was possible voids on edges of tiles and adhesive hadn't covered 95% of the tile. Few tiles uplifted will tell why.

 

[Rookery]

I dont know either although it may be because they seem to be water-sensitive. I have a PDF from Gulf Stone which states in the fixing instructions, amongst other things:-
"Latex based adhesive to be used."

 

[Discount Tile Supplies]

If they water sensitive can u not get them wet? U need a wet cutter to cut them and u need water to wash the grout off! oh and a thing called a MOP to wash them! sorry it is amusing what companies put in there info sheets.

We have sold 1000s of £ worth of Sky Tech and Gulf Stone and not had any problems, so far! Havent touched any of the 'cheaper stuff'