I have been to look at my first job (for a mate of a mate) and just wanted some advice on the best type of adhesive to use. The job is an ensuite which consists of a shower cubicle with approx 5m2 of tiles on to double skinned plasterboard and about 2m2 of floor tiles on to 18mm plywood in the toilet/sink area.

The wall tiles are ceramic 600x300 and the floor tiles are ceramic 330x330. I think I have talked them into having some form of tanking in the shower area (although it took some doing), either the paint on stuff or the Homelux type. What would be the best and most waterproof adhesive to use for the large tiles in the shower? I thought I could use White Star but I have heard that it is unsuitable for tiles of this size. I was intending to use one of the BAL flexible adhesives for the floor. Do I need to primer the plywood before tiling and if so what is the best stuff to use?

One other question - I will probably have to put a batten up in the shower area, is it advisable to nail through the tanking material or could this cause problems with leakage?

Any advice much appreciated

Paul

Tiles or yur size need to be fixed with a powder based adhesive. For waterproof matting, check out our forum spnsors Wetdecs. They supply a Durabase product which is much thinner than the homelux one and a little easier to apply. DO NOT NAIL through the tanking material - it ain't waterproof then!! If you need to use battens, try using batten stands instead.

If you are using BAL flexy adhesives, then you do not prime the tiling surface, however, the back side and edges should be sealed with an SBR type product prior to screwing to the floor.

I have started to use more Mapei products of late, they are just as good, if not better than BAL and tend to be cheaper. For your walls consider using Mapei P9 and for the floor, Mapei Keraquick with latex plus.

Thanks for your help Grumpy.

Do you know if Topps or Tile Giant do these adhesives and roughly what size bag I would need? If they don't do them is there a recommended online supplier?

Cheers

Paul

Topps do bal and tile it all and tile giant do mapei ,screwfix also do some products from each,not sure on price though.