Can I use Bal APD when already used PVA ??

[Ska'd]

Hi ,

I'm just about to start tiling my bathroom with 400 x 250 tiles. I had bought Unibond adhesive but will be taking it back after discovering this forum ! Thanks.
The walls are newly plastered and the unibond recommended PVA for the plaster but from the forum that appears to be cr*p, can I use BAL APD (or SBR ??) when I've already used PVA. I'm going to use BAL white star from your recommendations.
Also which grout should I then use.
Thanks for your help

[Dave]

Sand the walls down to remove the PVA film and then brush the dust off and prime with APD neat or SBR watered to 4:1 ratio.........

I always use a flexible grout in a bathroom....infact in most rooms...lol.......

[Ska'd]

Thanks Dave

One more quick question - are 2mm spacers ok for tiles of this size or should I use larger ??

[Dave]

no probs mate....any time...........yes 2 or 3 mm will do........

good luck.........

[dock]

Ska'd

If you are using ready mixed adhesives normally no need to prime as this can have an adverse effect especially when fixing large format tiles. Basically the water in the adhesive has nowhere to go so it can takes a lifetime to dry out. If you have primed the plaster (not with PVA of course) you could use cement based such as AdesileX P9 or Keraquick. As cement based are hydraulic setting mortars they do not need to dry out in order to set hard.

If you are using White Star give Dave Wilson a ring at Bal technical............I am sure he will concur that the priming of plaster is not normmally required. Prime only when the surface is very dusty or if an over zealous plasterer has left a very glossy tight finish in which case you need to abrade first to remove the weak surface layer.

best of luck and hope the jobs a good one..................whatever you use

dock

[Dave]

You don't want to be using dispersion adhesive with large format tiles anyway.......Use cement based.........

[Ska'd]

Thanks for all your help.
I spoke to BAL technical and they have said I will be OK with white star on 400 x 250 and I won't need to prime.
Now I'd better get on with it..!
Thanks again