Newbie. Fixing mozaic tiled shower floor

[waferthin]

Hi, I'm trying to re-fix some loose mosaic tiles from the floor of our shower. Over time a few tiles have come loose as the grout between them has been worn away underneath the shower head. I've prevoiusly fixing the tiles down with a premixed bottle of "polycell fix 'n' grout", but it hasn't lasted long (few months) and after a bit of reading on this forum I've realised its not the right solution and that I should probably use separate tile adhesive and grout.

The situation is not helped by the fact that the water from the shower doesn't drain correctly (the tiles don't form an even slope down to the drain) and we often get a small puddle forming which is where the tiles come loose. Perhaps the real solution would be to pull up the tiles and relay them all with the proper slope, but I have no spare tiles and don't know the source of them and the entire bathroom is tiled floor to ceiling, so if a tile broke I think I might have to get someone in to re-tile the whole bathroom (something I'd like to avoid!).

So my questions are:

a. Can anyone recommend a good choice tile adhesive and grout that I can use?
b. Could I do this as a newbie, or should I get a pro in?

I can post a photo if it helps. Many thanks for any advice!

 

[Gall.B]

Best to post some pics, what are the tiles fixed to?

 

[White Room]

As above pics would be handy..

Hi and welcome..

 

[Ian]

Welcome along. As above, some pics would help and the tile name/supplier if you know.

 

[waferthin]

Two photos attached. As you can see I've started fixing the tiles back down again with fix 'n' grout, because we kind of need the shower, although it won't be hard to take them back up. Underneath the tiles there appeared to be a mesh membrane of some description. I can't get photos of that right now though.

 

[waferthin]

Thanks for your reply Bri. Sadly though, I don't know the name/supplier of the tiles. There's a chance I could find out by contacting the previous owner, but I think the chances are slim...

 

[Gall.B]

That floor looks well gubbed, cant see the photos that great a lot of discololuration in the joints I think.

what colour was the membrane underneath?

The DIY Addhesive & grout is never a good idea especialy in a wet area.

Best ripout & re-do, well the floor any way, need to get rid of the area thats puddling will always give you problems. how are the shower walls looking any sign of water penetration/damage? any mould on the joints?

 

[waferthin]

Yep, the floor is quite gubbed as you say :smilewinkgrin: and there is quite a bit of discolouration in the joints. The walls look okay though and as far as I can tell no real sign of any problems. The membrane underneath was pretty much a beige colour if I remember, and was maybe made up of 1/2 inch squares looking a bit like a course fabric (quite hard to describe and I'm not doing a very good job).

Thanks for the advice, and perhaps I should consider redoing the floor (or at least getting a pro to do it), although as I mentioned, there are no spare tiles and don't know where they came from, plus the floor matches the walls and the rest of the bathroom etc, so if a tile was broken, then it might mean redoing the whole lot? How easy would it be to take the floor up without breaking any would you reckon? Is there any alternatives, or should I just bite the bullet when I've got enough cash and redo?

 

[Gall.B]

Best to re-do you dont know what mess is underneath.would need to also re-do the prep to create correct falls to drain and eliminate your wee bump something has failed most of the time its down to poor prep

Try sourcing the tiles locally Place like CTD, Collinsons, Porcelanosa, Tile Giant & Topps etc are all in your area. No chance of saving them tiles imo.

 

[waferthin]

Thanks -- I'll check those places out and see if I can find the same tiles. Sounds like the best plan...

 

[Gall.B]

Or get a contrasting Mosaic rather than something thats close if the original cant be sourced, Try the shops closest firstid say most likely Colinsons or CTD