Tub or bag, that is the question

[Deleted member 34594]

I am about to start tiling my bathroom, all other jobs having been done. I have a tub of Super Grip bought from my tile shop but I am a bit worried by some posts I have read saying that tub adhesive is no good for tiles of 30 x 30 or above. My tiles are 40 x 25, which is just over 10% bigger. A neighbour who is a painter and decorator and does quite a bit of tiling jobs I think, says that the tub stuff is Ok for my tiles, which are ceramic and are quite light and only 8mm thick. I contacted Granfix and the woman on their technical support said that it shouldn't be used for large tiles like mine unless I am prepared to wait 1 to 2 weeks - dependant upon the weather - before I grout. Apparently this is to let the water content evaporate, which is how the tub addy works.
So, the point is, I have already got the tub adhesive and it will allow me to tile at a slower pace - as I am a first times tiler - and I am in no hurry (the bathroom project has taken me 18 months so far.....):lol:. What do you all think? Should I swap the tub for the bagged stuff, or not? Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Hi Tony

The Granfix tech support is correct - the tubbed addy will need air circulating to let the adhesive dry out underneath the tiles. Powdered adhesive will set by chemical reaction rather than water evaporation, so usually the adhesive sets faster. You can mix powdered adhesive in small batches and just fix a few tiles at a time until you feel confident. Plus a lot of standard setting powdered adhesives have a pot-life (how long they can sit mixed, waiting to be used) of 3 hours or more. The rapid setting adhesives usually only have a pot-life of about 40 minutes.

Will the tiled area be over the bath and are you installing a shower that will subject the tiles to a good soaking on a frequent basis?

GRR

 

[Deleted member 34594]

Thanks for the quick response GRR. Yes, there is an over bath shower so the tiles will get a good soaking several times a week. Sounds like you recommend I get the bagged stuff?

 

[Deleted member 34594]

Also, does the bagged stuff come with instructions for how much water to mix with how much powder? The only stuff I have seen shows how much water for the whole bag.

 

[Deleted member 9966]

bagged stuff is the way to go in this case. Although tubbed addy can be used in shower areas, if you want to do the job right first time, bagged is definitely the way forward. Tubbed adhesives will tend to break down when immersed in water, and if water were to seep through the grout to behind the tiles, you might start seeing one or two tiles coming away.

I managed to do this to a couple of tiles that came off my parents bathroom wall when I was regrouting

powdered adhesive doesn't tend to come off that easily

 

[Stef]

Hi Tony, as GRR stated go with powder adhesive.

You can get ready mixed adhesive that would be ok when soaked with water, Bal WhiteStar, its a D2 adhesive but the size of the tile you have it will need to be a powder.

Go for a slow set adhesive with a longer pot life so it wont go off on you quickly.

I would also look at a "Tanking Kit" for round your bath then you will have peace of mind for years to come. You should be able to pick one up for less than £60/£70.

 

[Deleted member 34594]

Many thanks, RM. I will have a look at the tanking kit.

 

[Stef]

If you need any help then you are in the right place, just ask.

Plenty of superb tilers on here willing to share a wealth of knowledge.

 

[Deleted member 34594]

Thanks again, RM.
My tile shop sells Ronnie CFTA single part slow set powdered adhesive, which is £28 for a 20kg bag. I have never heard of this make but i got one reult out of a Google search which suggested it was made by Mapei. Does anyone know if this ill be any good?
I have only got 7 m2 of wall tiles to do so I was hoping I could use the same stuff for my floor tiles but the Ronnie stuff says no foot traffic for 24 hours, but I need to be able to use my bog.

 

[prceramics]

£28 for a 20kg bag :yikes:

 

[Deleted member 9966]

£28 for a 20kg bag :yikes:

Aye. That's what me and Tony have to pay because we're not in the trade.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and:welcome:

 

[Mike Mike]

"My tile shop sells Ronnie CFTA single part slow set powdered adhesive" :yikes:

What???!!!!111 Is that the brother of the more famous Regie (Cray) single part fast set flexible :lol:

 

[Time's Ran Out]

:welcome: and good luck. Mapei is a good adhesive.

 

[Deleted member 34594]

Very true. It is a bit of a rip off. I have still to tile the floor and that will need flexible addy on the floorboards, followed by the tile backer board followed by the heating pad, followed by more flexible addy then, finally, morew flexible addy under the tiles!!! How many bags of this stuff do I have to buy!!! Luckily the floor is only 2sqm.