Working with trav mosaic sheets , any tips

[Davesax]

I've heard of gluing the sheets to cement board and then installing , for a better finish and to avoid movement when on the wall . I have to tile a large area on bathroom / shower wall . Any tips would be appreciated - would a dryer mix prevent any slumping ?
Dave

 

[Qwerty]

Use a rapid setting flexible (S1) adhesive. Ensure substrate suitable for weight and primed correctly. Use a thin notch 4-6mm) trowel and bed the mosaic into this.
I always make my mix slightly stiffer when doing this as it sets quicker.
Really shouldn't have any issues with slumping so long as you take your time and bed it all in correctly. Use a grout float to bed them in well until the adhesive just appears in the grout joint from behind. Try a few sheets in height at a time and leave 40 mind in between each row if you are concerned about the slumping issue

 

[cam_low]

chop the sheets in half and use a 3mm trowel. 4-6 gives me slump and sticky poke through ! ! bal mosaic fix is a cracking product !

 

[Lee@emctiles]

Another option would be to use Mosaic Mesh.
A plastic mesh of approximately 2mm which holds mosaics rigidly in position when tiling. Used by both Professional & DIY to make mosaic fixing fast and simple, and to give a fully satisfactory finish.
• Self adhesive, easy to apply, no hassle • Keeps mosaics evenly spaced, no need for a multitude of spacers
• Easy to cut with a knife, no loss of mosaic versatility
• 300mm x 300mm, fits a standard mosaic sheet
• Eliminates mosaic alignment problems making fixing even faster

 

[Davesax]

Thanks Geoff , thats really helpful - what would you do at the transition to normal wall tile to avoid a height difference . I'm using 600x300s , probably with a 10mm trowel , maybe 12 .

 

[Davesax]

Cheers lee , that might solve the height issue too , I wonder if I can scource them here in Aus.

 

[Qwerty]

Thanks Geoff , thats really helpful - what would you do at the transition to normal wall tile to avoid a height difference . I'm using 600x300s , probably with a 10mm trowel , maybe 12 .

Some have used a decoupling mat to build it up. May work for you? Bri posted something not long ago using this method

 

[cam_low]

search dog tooth method

 

[Qwerty]

search dog tooth method

Dog tooth method won't apply here I don't think Cam, op states it's on a large shower wall

 

[Stef]

I carry a load of pasload finishing nails & use them sometimes below the top mosaic to hold the sheet up to stop it slumping.
If your worried about the transition between the mosaic & tiles then you might need to fix the field tiles 1st then build your mosaic out to suit.

 

[One Day]

Best thing I've come across by far for mosaics is Kerakoll Tenaflex.
I've long used MosaicFix for it's grab but Tenaflex really doesn't slip.
Last time I used a 5mm trowel with 50x50mm porcelain mosaics and didn't need to pin anything.
Truly brilliant stuff - if you can source it.

 

[Sean SML Tiling]

Another option would be to use Mosaic Mesh.
A plastic mesh of approximately 2mm which holds mosaics rigidly in position when tiling. Used by both Professional & DIY to make mosaic fixing fast and simple, and to give a fully satisfactory finish.
• Self adhesive, easy to apply, no hassle • Keeps mosaics evenly spaced, no need for a multitude of spacers
• Easy to cut with a knife, no loss of mosaic versatility
• 300mm x 300mm, fits a standard mosaic sheet
• Eliminates mosaic alignment problems making fixing even faster

View attachment 57880

I used these on a job before lee and it was a first and last. Every mosaic come off the sheet as its very difficult to get a good bond to tje actual tile. All your doing is Bedding the adhesive into a plastic sheet not the tile

 

[Stef]

I used these on a job before lee and it was a first and last. Every mosaic come off the sheet as its very difficult to get a good bond to tje actual tile. All your doing is Bedding the adhesive into a plastic sheet not the tile

I've used them a couple of times without any bother.
Made sure they had plenty of contact with adhesive though, had to dig out adhesive the next day so I knew they were well stuck.

 

[charlie1]

Webber set SPF (white) or similar and 3mm notch trowel should be fine. Ensure substrate is nice and flat, press in with grout float. If you still experience slumping then pin top row but I don't think you will need to.

 

[TJ Smiler]

Depends on how far out you have to bring your sheets in order to keep it flush with your other tiles.... I normally do the dog tooth (why is it called that?) but cos yours is the shower area it might be difficult so you could try running Homelux matting up the wall, that will bring it out by a few mm and if you use a slightly large notch trowel it will give you an extra couple of mm. And it will waterproof your walls at the same time.

PS; Weber.set spf rapid white is what i would use too.