Worst adhesives

[Peter]

Might be a good idea for us to list for each other the worst adhesives we've encountered, to save each other a bit of time and perhaps money, should we ever land on a job with it supplied.

Worst I have used is anything made by 'Bond It'. Used to work with a squad doing a bit of commercial stuff, and Bond It rapidset (green bag) was supplied. Mixed a big bucket of it to start laying the first stretch and a few minutes later when the trowel was put into the bucket it had gone rock hard. Used Bond It flexi rapidset (orange bag) on another floor where a bit had to be lifted for a track to be layed. Adhesive that had been down for 3 days broke up and scraped off like it had only been layed 5 hours. Didn't bother with the Bond It after that, think the contractor was getting it for around £1 a bag.

To be fair to them, their 'CTA' slow set was a lot more managable and seemed to be better adhesive, on both jobs we got the adhesive changed to this.

Definately not something I would use on one of my own jobs, and I'd go as far as to say I wouldn't even use Bondit Rapidset if I was given a pallet free. :lol:

Anyone else have any adhesives or grouts they'd run a mile from?

 

[White Room]

I wondered about Bond-it, they sell it at Magnets and was thinking of trying a bag, not now I won't.

Had a bad session with biscem adhesive, so rapid, won't be trying that again

 

[Aqua Tiling]

ive only used ardex d20 for walls and wouldnt change it for any thing.
£18 tub

 

[Ajax123]

Trouble is that one mans meat is anothers poison. Just because you think an adhesive not good to work with does not mean everyone will. If there is a technical constraint upon the use of a particular adhesive in a particular application then fine but slating a manufacturer without a common consensus seems a bit petulant.

 

[Peter]

I wondered about Bond-it, they sell it at Magnets and was thinking of trying a bag, not now I won't.

Had a bad session with biscem adhesive, so rapid, won't be trying that again

I'd use Biscem most of the time these days and find it spot on. I did get caught out a few times when I first started using it as it can go off in the bucket quite quickly, but all in all not bad adhesive. If you're using something like Keraquick with a very long potlife all the time then go on to the Biscem I could see how it could trip you up, though.

 

[White Room]

I'd use Biscem most of the time these days and find it spot on. I did get caught out a few times when I first started using it as it can go off in the bucket quite quickly, but all in all not bad adhesive. If you're using something like Keraquick with a very long potlife all the time then go on to the Biscem I could see how it could trip you up, though.

Exactly the problem

Did like there grout though

 

[Peter]

Sometimes a benefit when you want to grout a floor by the end of the day, but I've learned to respect it and only mix what I need. :lol:

Ajax, was referring to the questionable nature of it's sticking properties rather than the way the adhesive was to work with. Found it quite scary that after 3 days the adhesive hadn't set as it should have set - could end up in a costly call back for someone.

 

[diamondtiling]

Granfix for years along with Ardex, Using Ultra at the moment and its very good after a shaky start.

Bal

 

[cass]

I found that sontex is the worst i have used,but ther is a tile jiant opend in my town so it is mapei from now on.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Perry]

I found that sontex is the worst i have used,but ther is a tile jiant opend in my town so it is mapei from now on.:smilewinkgrin:

Hi I found Sontex powder good

 

[Daz]

I've had poor experiences with Everbuild adhesives, so I give them a big swerve now.

 

[DHTiling]

I have used sontex powder as well...i thinkit is fine..Rs2 is fine no bad reports here...

As mentioned above..what one fixer likes another might not...

 

[Ajax123]

Sometimes a benefit when you want to grout a floor by the end of the day, but I've learned to respect it and only mix what I need. :lol:

Ajax, was referring to the questionable nature of it's sticking properties rather than the way the adhesive was to work with. Found it quite scary that after 3 days the adhesive hadn't set as it should have set - could end up in a costly call back for someone.

Fair enough but issue I see is that it is always difficult to prove conclusively that the addy is the problem. I know that us suppliers often close ranks in disputes but is it always easiest for contractors to blame the materials. It might not stick for reasons which are nothing to do with the material.
Case in point. I was on a complaint the other day where a vynil installation had failed over an anhydrite screed. The main contractor, the adhesive manufacturer, the flooring contractor, the levelling compound manufacturer and subsequently the client had discussed the issue before I got on the scene and when I arrived they were very very quick to blame the screed because they have "heard there are problems with these screeds". After enduring a lot of abuse - some even personal - I was able to examine the fault and diagnose the problem. On examination I determined that the screed had been overlayed with a DPM which had been allowed to cure to a shiny finish before laying a levelling compound over it followed by a vynil floor covering. The levelling compound had parted company with the DPM because the DPM was nice and shiny and the leveller had nothing to hang on to. It was nothing to do with the screed.
This happened because the DPM had been used incorrectly and the levelling compound had not been laid at the correct time making it the fault of the installer and not related to any of the materials used and thus causing a costly call back for him. I admit I was not pulling any puches in this instance because of the abuse I had received previously. Why should I suffer as a result of his error.

I guess my point is that there are always reasons for these problems which are not always related to the materials themselves but more to how they are used. I just worry that this type of thread can drive a wedge between suppliers and tilers. I am always up for a lively debate though

end of self righteous lecture.....

 

[diamondtiling]

When there is a problem on site it is usually the fault of the person that shouts the loudest and quickly blames others, As Ajax has said, there is no need to abuse anyone.

 

[Matt]

I have used sontex powder as well...i thinkit is fine..Rs2 is fine no bad reports here...

As mentioned above..what one fixer likes another might not...

I have heard alot of good things about Sontex. Actually, I don't recall hearing anything bad

Personal preference is a strange thing. Some love Mapei, some hate it. Same for Sontex I guess

 

[grumpygrouter]

Fastflex!!! Hate the stuff with a passion, but as a sticky it is in fact brilliant! I will avoid it like the plague if possible!!!

 

[Peter]

I have heard alot of good things about Sontex. Actually, I don't recall hearing anything bad

Personal preference is a strange thing. Some love Mapei, some hate it. Same for Sontex I guess

Know what you mean, I would rate many Mapei products inferior to others offered by manufacturers less dominant on the market, but you daren't say that on this forum. :lol:

 

[White Room]

Mapei P9 is the nuts

 

[brian c]

I found that sontex is the worst i have used,but ther is a tile jiant opend in my town so it is mapei from now on.:smilewinkgrin:

i like the sontex acrylic,tubbed adhesive.

I've had poor experiences with Everbuild adhesives, so I give them a big swerve now.

i use the Silicon all the time and i like it.

 

[brian c]

bad experiences with SOVEREIGN SUPER GRIP MASTER (garbage),i also dont like sovereign Silicon but i do like sovereign SPF.:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Perry]

i had a bad experiance with ultra and bal but i know pepole on hear love it to be fair not so much with the adhesive but thair tec lol grumps fast flex its great for metal

 

[hillhead]

I had very quick setting webber this wk.lucky i have helper to keep mixes coming.stuck damn well though.i also put a floor down yesterday here using keraquick and latex! Usual top notch gear.just havin break here.just grouting rest of day now! Ye ha.marble floor coming up on next job.i have to supply adhesive and grout! Ill ponder over that today.lol