spreading adhesive

[ross lewiss]

when you trowel adhesive onto the wall, which way should it be done. vertically or horizontally. or is it vertically to begin with then curving off to finish up horizontal. just curious to which way is british standards and also curious to which has the better bonding direction. ie does a horizontal plough line hold the tile in place better than a vertical plough line or does none of it matter once the tile is squashed into the adhesive.
thanks, ross

[GazTech]

I would always spread horizontally mate, and move up in rows. Try to keep your trowel lines straight and don't cross over, this is better for the air to circulate through the notch lines and help the curing process....Gaz

[Dave]

I would spread horizontally as well....unless of course you are try to acheive a solid bed ( cement based adhesive) with a larger trowel then as long as you get the coverage then it doesnt matter.........but when using dispersion adhesives then it does as gaz say's........

[pjtiler]

don't make the slightest difference mate
although horizontal dose help the non slip action with some adhesives

[ross lewiss]

big thanks to gaz as always, dave and pjtiler. very much appreciated..
thanks, ross

[hillhead]

I was actually taught to spread vertically as it doesn't cause slippage when pressed,but i spread horizontally when i feel like it or on splashbacks where i spread every way i can,lol.

[sWe]

I tend to start spreading it vertically, and then I go over it in horisontaly. Less chance of causing a mess.

[MICK the Tiler]

The correct answer is either way just make sure you pick one or the other, and as dave and gaz have expertly pointed out it is all to do with the ability for trapped air to exit from behind the tile. This is of great importance on floors as trapped air can cuase tiles to become drummy so trowelling in one direction is advisable. The reason most of us including myself choose horizonal raking on walls is that the body feels more comfortable doing this action.