Tile adhesive just not setting

[doug boardley]

I'd go over the mrc with hardiebacker and use a powdered single part flexible adhesive, making sure substrate is suitably screwed down and deflection free, also use a flexible grout. Belt and braces approachOh! and chuck the PVA

 

[Daz]

First thing to note, no adhesive will be waterproof!
If you want waterproof, then you will need epoxy (my advice is to not go there) grout.

However, if you use the correct materials then you won't have any issues unless you soak your floor every day (i.e. use it as a shower tray :lol. In which case it needs tile backer boards or tanking.

Please answer this question so that I can advise materials....
Are you tiling directly onto the chipboard or onto tile backer (cement boards)?

 

[superfuel]

Thanks for the tip!

These are the tiles I'm using: Cuba Floor Tile - 33 x 33cm - Dark Grey - Pk size 9 from Homebase.co.uk

Nothing on the box or website about what kind of ceramic they are.

In terms of cutting them, they were pretty tough to cut through (I used an electric wet saw) but brittle in the sense that I accidentaly trod on one when it was on the carpet and it broke in half.

Is it worth taking one of the tiles with me to Tile Giant to see what they suggest?

 

[superfuel]

Are you tiling directly onto the chipboard or onto tile backer (cement boards)?
If I can tile straight onto the chipboard then I will (to save time and money), but if cement boards are recommended then I'll go down that route.

You guys are the experts so I'm really looking for your recommendation

 

[Matt]

From the picture, they appear to be just standard glazed ceramic. The substrate is more important info as that will determine the adhesive you will need. Still, take a tile with you, it can't do any harm

 

[Daz]

As per Doug, your best bet is tile backer boards, Mapei Keraquick (rapid set) or Keraflex (standard set) and use Mapei Ultracolour grout. You will get all that from Tile Giant and mention the forum as they should look after you.

If you insist on tiling onto the chipboard then change the adhesive to Mapei Keraquick with latex and get some primer G to prime the chipboard with. Use Mapei Ultracolour grout and job will be a good'un.

Cement boards are the best route, and it won't hurt if you take a tile with you as the store may be able to make a recommendation to save you some dollars.

Good luck

 

[Deleted member 9966]

As per Doug, your best bet is tile backer boards, Mapei Keraquick (rapid set) or Keraflex (standard set) and use Mapei Ultracolour grout. You will get all that from Tile Giant and mention the forum as they should look after you.

If you insist on tiling onto the chipboard then change the adhesive to Mapei Keraquick with latex and get some primer G to prime the chipboard with. Use Mapei Ultracolour grout and job will be a good'un.

Cement boards are the best route, and it won't hurt if you take a tile with you as the store may be able to make a recommendation to save you some dollars.

Good luck

Daz, would you recommend getting rid of the dried PVA layer before priming?

Liz
:driving:

 

[Daz]

That's a very good point Liz, if going directly onto the chipboard. Best to go over the floor with a belt sander or 60 grit to remove "the devils spit".

Cement boards are deffo the way forward here, I think!

 

[Ajax123]

Don't know the answer to this one but have a question. Does anyone know if tubbed adhesive has a retarder in it. I know with Mortars the retarder is sucked into the bricks which causes the mortar to go off. If the addy os retarded it might work on the same prinicpal with the substrate hence not work on moisture resistant board.

As I say though it's just a theory.

 

[doug boardley]

but if it's dispersion, as wall tubbed addy, it will require air/porous substrate to help it set, whereas a cementitious addy would set (wether it would bond to mrc I don't know tho!)

 

[White Room]

Thats why I don't use tubbed adhesive

 

[CJ CERAMICS]

if you ar egoing to tile directly on to your chip board you WILL need to screw in down even if there is no movement now there will be in the future (speaking as one who lives in a new'ish build) but before you do this take a sander to the floor to remove the PVA and replace with a suitable primer and a powered flexible adhesive not sure what brands tile giant sell but if you ask the lads in there they should advice you on whats best.
chris

 

[Christine]

:welcome:Superfuel to the forum, I am relatively new here myself.
As to the problems you are having.
I haven't used evo-stic adhesive before, but is it possible that it was out of date this could be the reason it hasn't set? I never use PVA I always use an acrylic primer, However you did follow the manufacturers reccomendation.
Also you say you removed MDF which was on the floor and exposed plasterboard! The plasterboard is probably there for fire reasons and or sound proofing, Im sure someone else will be able to give the exact answer. Did you put anything down on the floor or did you just tile on top of the plasterboard?
What I would have done is put a good quality tile backer board down on the floor on top of the plasterboard, such as hardi backer board, and then i would have tiled on top of that with a good brand of flexible tile adhesive like a Bal make. I never used the ready tubbed stuff for floors, I always use the bagged stuff you mix your self.
I hope this may help you but i am sure yoou will get loads of more questions and answers shortly.

What happens when it's out of date?