Why would I know best....

[CDS]

Just been to check a job I'm starting next week - Plumbers mate turns around and says 'don't worry about the walls mate I'll PVA them before you get here.'

I asked him not to put PVA anywhere near the walls and he replied: 'what's wrong with pva - the other 2 tilers we use always PVA their walls'

He looked rather put out when I suggested that they can't be very good tilers then - Is that why I'm here???

Does this really happen or did I just have a bad dream....??

 

[Andy Allen]

happens to me, ive had plasterers with 30 plus yrs experience tell me its fine to tile onto bonding........after pva first, of course..:mad2:

 

[White Room]

It's not a bad dream and it's happening all over.....as I have a plastering back ground I struggle to convince people whats needed...

 

[bugs183]

It's the same everywhere.
99% of people don't try and find out if their methods are correct, and most would frown upon upon using a forum!!!
PVA has become the industry standard expression, so people automatically assume it's how it's done.
You can only say so much, i've been on a job with MDF everywhere, huge heavy tiles on paint etc, pva walls. I've told them it isn't the way to do it, but nope not listening!
So all you can do is advise (moan), and see what happens, if they've prepared it i make sure the customer knows and that it's on their head, sometimes literally!!

 

[Sean Kelly]

PVA / Primer it all the same really!..............well it looks the same when it's in the bucket?..........it sometimes smells the same. Yes, I know it's not the same, but most builders think it is PVA in the bucket when it is in fact Primer. I explain the differences to them but they are not bothered really. Most of the building sites I worked on use PVA. What can I do to make them change their minds?....Nothing. I just use it and collect my meagre wage (minus admin fees!) at the end of the week. I would never never PVA on a wall or floor on one of my jobs.

 

[nybor62]

you cant educate pork

 

[CDS]

Cheers guys - It's reassuring to know that I'm not alone with this... just really galling when I've always been taught that PVA was a big NO NO NO but then the minute you come into contact with other trades they look at you like you're a complete muppet (they may well be right about the 'muppet' bit but I try at least to do things the right way regardless!)

Was in my local Plumbers merchants earlier and just having a general chat with some of the boys in there waiting to be served... its amazing how many other Plumbers think their way is the right way whilst I'm standing there thinking "you do what....!!!!!!'

Eveyone does what works for them but with things like PVA you would have thought someone with far more punch than us would have tried to educate the masses - is this not something the TTA should take on board....??

Oh well whatever, think I'll go buy myself a nice big tub of PVA in the morning...if you can't beat them....

 

[White Room]

Just buy sbr and pretend it's pva ......

 

[CDS]

Just buy sbr and pretend it's pva ......

:lol:
I've got an empty bottle of admix on the van.... think I'll pour my SBR into that and write PVA on the bottle in big letters.... then I can leave out for everyone to see and I'll be in with the crowd!!

Knowing my luck some know-it-all-sparky will tell me 'you can't use PVA on walls you're tiling mate...!!'

 

[Dan]

I doubt it lol