14 Golden Rules And 10 Reasons For Tile Fixing Failures
From DIYinfo.org
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[edit] 14 Golden Rules
- Tiles must be dry and the back of the tile clean.
- Surface to receive tiles should be true, even and free from grease, wax, oil, curing compounds and all forms of contamination.
- Adhesive should be applied using the appropriate notched trowel. Do not use the spot fixing method. Always apply adhesive with notched trowel horizontally, not in a swirling motion.
- Press tiles firmly into adhesive bed. The whole of the back of the tile must be in good contact with the adhesive. No voids must occur beneath tiles. NOTE: 100% coverage of adhesive must be achieved.
- Remove tile from time-to-time to check that complete contact with the adhesive is made.
- Do not fix tiles over skinned adhesive.
- Allow adhesive to set before grouting, usually not less than 24 hours. During this time, the tiles must be protected from weather, water penetration etc.
- Adhesive should be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
- To achieve greater adhesion and a longer open time, porous concrete should be dampened with water prior to tiling with cement-based adhesives.
- Any loose powder should be removed from the back of the tiles.
- Appropriate movement joints must be used and construction joints must not be tiled over.
- Thin bed fixing of floor tiles. The minimum finished thickness of the adhesive should not be less than 3mm thick.
- Hairline cracks in concrete up to 2mm should be bridged. Prime the clean surface, allow to dry and apply a liberal coat of Barrierflex as a 1 to 1 mixture, then inbed reinforcement mat and immediately apply a second coat of Barrierflex. Allow to cure before tiling with Barrierflex.
- Tiles must NOT be stored in direct sunlight prior to fixing.
[edit] The Top 10 Reasons for Tile Fixing Failures
- Incorrect or no expansion joints
- Incorrect choice of adhesive
- Adhesive "skins" before tile is bedded in
- Contaminated background
- Poor/incorrect surface preparation
- Poor adhesive coverage
- Unsatisfactory bed thickness
- Excessive movement in the substrate
- Dust or loose backwash not removed from tile back
- Incorrect mixing ratio of adhesive powder and liquid
