Steam Room which Grout?

[Wet Room]

Hi, I've built a shower / steam cubical 1.5m by 1m after a rather painful bank holiday weekend ripping out and cladding with Wedi Board.

I have followed all the Wedi rules and it's turned out very well IMO.

I am now getting quotes from Tilers.

I have always had it in my mind that Epoxy Grout MUST be used for a Vapour proof surface and that a Cement Based Flexi adhesives could be used to bolt the tiles on to the Wedi.

I have been told by one chap that he called Bal to be told that he could use Bal Superflexi. I personally think this is incorrect.

Can I have your professional opinions please?

I'm happy to share pics and info of the install if anyone is interested.

Many thanks

B.

 

[nellyb]

Epoxy would be best in terms of performance but you won;t get many tilers who'll want to do it as it's a pig to use. High performance grouts such as BAL and Mapei will be adequate. They are highly polymer modified and as near to epoxy peformance as you'll get. Mapei's ultracolour grout is suitable for use in swimming pools so it follows that it'll do for a steamroom I would think.

 

[Wet Room]

Thanks, i've read a few comments on the net. Some say there is a massive difference between water i.e swimming pools and the vapour produced in a steam room. The heat of the vapour and the size of the vapour particles are not to be under estimated.

I'm unsure,

 

[Alberta Stone]

Go with epoxy, but don't economize and get the large units.
It is appealing to do so as the cost of multiple small units adds up, but you don't want your grouter to be splitting a kit down in size.
Spend the extra cash and get a job you can stop worrying about.

Epoxy is a snap to work with if you follow 2 rules:
1- mix small batchs
2- use lots of water to wash and have lots of clean rags and white scrubbies around.
When epoxy is fresh mixed it works in and washs nice, but once the stuff reachs the end of its potlife it turns into treacle/bubblegum and can make your day go really bad.
There is a product which I saw recently which is used to remove epoxy grout haze, but that should only be a problem if you don't apply it right.

 

[Wet Room]

Thanks for the confirmation, Epoxy it is then.

 

[andy-p]

use bals easypoxy its a doddle to work with...

 

[GazTech]

BAL Easypoxy

Hygienic, impervious epoxide resin based ceramic tile grout specifically formulated to resist chemical attack and to provide a durable, abrasion-resistant, waterproof finish. The cured grout does not transfer taints to foodstuffs or permit the entry of bacteria or dirt and is easily maintained in a sterile condition. Also suitable as a high performance epoxy adhesive for fixing ceramic tiles, on walls, floors, and worktops in interior and exterior situations. Especially suited for use in bakeries, breweries, restaurants, dairies, kitchens, medical practices and industrial plant rooms.

BAL Easypoxy meets the requirements of BS 5980:1980 for resistance to mould growth. It also conforms to BS 5385art 4:1992:section 9, for use in sterile conditions. The product additionally meets the requirements of “The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 1987”, “The Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995” and the EC Directive 93/43 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs 1993. Conforms to BS EN 13888, Type R, Class G1.

 

[Droopy]

Epoxy would definately be the best choice.
I'm not sure if you are right or not about the water vapour being the reason though.

I would have thought the main reason would have been hygiene.
Steam rooms are the ideal place for all sorts of really bad bacteria to grow in huge numbers, due to the heat and humidity.

 

[Branty]

Easypoxy. As alberta says. Small areas at a time. Plenty of water, and white pads.

 

[drrazabutt]

sooooo

Hi, I've built a shower / steam cubical 1.5m by 1m after a rather painful bank holiday weekend ripping out and cladding with Wedi Board.

I have followed all the Wedi rules and it's turned out very well IMO.

I am now getting quotes from Tilers.

I have always had it in my mind that Epoxy Grout MUST be used for a Vapour proof surface and that a Cement Based Flexi adhesives could be used to bolt the tiles on to the Wedi.

I have been told by one chap that he called Bal to be told that he could use Bal Superflexi. I personally think this is incorrect.

Can I have your professional opinions please?

I'm happy to share pics and info of the install if anyone is interested.

Many thanks

B.

 

[drrazabutt]

hi, thx for ur opinion but wat about to use silicone instead of epoxy grout and if u can plz post the pic too and tell me if i can use fibre sheet for roof instead of tiles

 

[tfs]

are you having a laugh?

 

[White Room]

Silicone in place of grout.