When tiling in a wet area, the adhesive and grout must be capable of being exposed to dry and wet conditions. It should also be able to withstand thermal fluctuations. Other environments require provision of tiles which are capable of withstanding demanding service conditions.
Depending on the environment, it’s important that tiles are able to support heavy weight/loads, where necessary. When tiling power showers, wave machines or spas the adhesive and grout must provide abrasion resistance and also withstand exposure to cleaning materials.
Tile type and size also plays a significant factor in determining your adhesive and grout. Ask yourself if the tiles are porous, or are they glazed, fully vitrified, light-coloured/translucent or natural stone. Is the material you are using vulnerable to water-staining? Are you using large format or mosaic tiles and are they mesh-backed?
with a product such as BAL Tank-it, to up to 24 hours with alternative products.
When selecting the right tile adhesive and grout for your wet areas, a number of factors need to be taken into account including the substrate, type and size of tiles and the environment.
Selecting the wrong adhesive or grout for the intended background/application could lead to disastrous consequences including the cracking or de-bonding of your tiles, causing you financial pain in repair and recompense. Purely selecting an adhesive or grout on its BS classification is not always the be- all – as other factors may render your selection invalid.
Firstly let’s look at the substrate or background. Whether you’re tiling onto tile-backer boards, tongue and groove floorboards, sand: cement screeds or even existing tiles will make a massive difference as to what adhesive to consider. For example where floors need to resist some limited movement or vibration, then a flexible/deformable adhesive or grout should be selected.
Polymer modified adhesives/ grouts have the addition of either powdered polymers, pre-blended in at the manufacturing stage or can be modified with a liquid polymer additive. This enhances the physical and mechanical properties of the product.
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For example ready-mixed adhesives may be suitable for porous-bodied ceramic tiles, but for porcelain a highly polymer-modified cementitious adhesive would be recommended. Ready-mixed adhesives are also not suitable for floor tiling or for tiles over 300x300mm.
In case of light coloured or translucent natural stone, rapid-setting and drying white cementitious adhesives are recommended in order to minimise any potential risks of staining. A pourable adhesive may also be suitable for floor tiling with large format tiling.
There are other factors which should be considered and more importantly are NOT covered by the tile classification. Some of these include ease of use, coverage, colour, pot life and adjustment time and cost.
As well as taking these factors into consideration, we would always recommend checking with your adhesive manufacturer to ensure that you have selected the correct adhesive and grout for your project.
At BAL our Technical Advisory Service is fully equipped to provide support to contractors, architects and tilers – including NBS M40/M10/M20 specification assistance, onsite consultancy and expert technical advice.
www.bal-adhesives.com ADHESIVES | 35
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