bal tile and grout in 1. - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

dandare · 20-03-2008

hey folks i'm tiling a bathroom and kitchen splash back, 18 sqm, for a mate. this will only be my 2nd job tiling( 1st being my kitchen/bathroom) so i'm still getting my head round it all.
from reading posts bal seem to be a well recommended brand. are their tile/grout combo tubs any use?
it seems most folk like to use seperate adhesive and grout.
i'd like to as good a job as i can manage. but i'm trying to keep the costs for him down.
ta
also i noticed bluestar advertised as suitable for shower rooms? i thought i read that white star should be used in shower/bathrooms?

Burnsy · 20-03-2008

Don't go near to two in one combo's - even BAL's. You right, BAL are regarded as the top dogs.

In answer to your question - Grout and Adhesive are two seperate products, doing different jobs so how they can be used in a ready mixed combo i'll never know. Tell your mate he's going to have to pay out for the right materials as you don't want to be going back if the jobs fails due to the wrong materials. I prefer to use a standard setting 'bagged' cement based adhesive for walls and only use tubbed gear on kitchen splashy's.

Good luck for the job pal.

howard · 20-03-2008

never used bal tile & grout in 1 or any other make it will be interesting to hear if bal have got it right
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Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnsy

Don't go near to two in one combo's - even BAL's. You right, BAL are regarded as the top dogs.

In answer to your question - Grout and Adhesive are two seperate products, doing different jobs so how they can be used in a ready mixed combo i'll never know. Tell your mate he's going to have to pay out for the right materials as you don't want to be going back if the jobs fails due to the wrong materials. I prefer to use a standard setting 'bagged' cement based adhesive for walls and only use tubbed gear on kitchen splashy's.

Good luck for the job pal.

would bal risk there reputation on a product that is crap ?

Burnsy · 20-03-2008

It's aimed at the DIYer who knows no better

. To them, if there doing it then they can't complain to a tradesman and if they complain to BAL, they will probably say that you should have got a professional to do it. Steer clear

howard · 20-03-2008

burnsy i agree what you say about all in ones but have bal really got theres right let somebody use it and lets get some feedback somebody one day will get the right formula it will probably be bal

**Cliff Anger** · 20-03-2008

adhesive and grouts need different working properties so are always a compromise.

dandare · 20-03-2008

ok sounds like it's seperate grout and adhesive. i'll go for ready mixed as i'd need to buy a mixer i imagine or can it be done suitably by hand?
is blue star suitable? on their site it says intermittent wet conditions.
any ideas of how long the area would take to do for a newcomer planning on being a bit cautious?
also i'm trying to figure out how much i need to buy, i see from the bal site 2litre/sqm coverage. so 36 litres needed. but where i saw it for sale it's in kg. how do i convert them?
ta
dan

TilingLogistics · 21-03-2008

If you intend to use BAL tubbed gear in a shower area then the only one i would reccommend is White Star. There is no way a two in one product will work well and they are intended for DIY's.
Bagged adhesive is always better for bathrooms in my opinion and it can be mixed by hand but it is hard work in large quantities. To calculate amount of either adhesive needed you need to know substrate, conditions and type and size of tile first. I hope this helps you.

Kev

dptiling · 21-03-2008

handy for small repairs , but thats pushing it.

GazTech · 21-03-2008

[B]BAL Tile and Grout[/B]
[IMG]http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/bal/bal_products/images/tileandwall.jpg[/IMG] White, acrylic-based, waterproof, ready-mixed ceramic tile adhesive and grout. Suitable for use on interior walls including bathrooms, showers and kitchens. Suitable for use on cement:sand rendering, plaster, plasterboard and existing tiles. Conforms to BS EN 12004, Type D, Class 2T.

Not recommended for specialist installations, aimed more at DIY, and patch up market....as with all BAL products, carries 10 yr guarantee....Gaz

howard · 21-03-2008

so bal have let there stanards slip to make more money

dandare · 21-03-2008

ok so i managed to get some whitestar and bal grout. £21 per 10l +vat. reasonable?

even thoguh i'm not a tiler, i'd like to do a good job and make sure the tiles stay there hopefully till they redo the bathroom.
i decided to stick with 2 seperate products as it seems to be the best way to do this properley.
just waiting for plaster patches to dry then away we go!!
hopefully it'll take a day to tile and a day to grout. though i think ther will be quite a few cuts. i've got my bro's cheap wet wheel cutter and cheapest bnq white squares. should be fun from what i read of bnq cheap stuff.
how do you pro's go about beading when you have 3 edges meeting? there is a box section the plumber made up to conceal pipes and i'm wondering whats the neatest way to join the 3 ends that meet.
ta
dan.