Hello, I have been lurking around here trying to get "genned" up. I am tiling a bathroom and have never done any tiling before, but reading the posts on this forum has given me the courage to have a go.

The tiles are around 33x25cm ceramic, and I am going to use readymixed waterproof adhesive, as I am not sure how long it will take me. I have about 17sqm to tile. Some of that is a shower enclosure.

I had narrowed my adhesive down to Buildfix Showerproof adhesive from B&Q at £19.98 for 15Kg, it was my understanding that this is an adhesive by Mapei. My problem is that between deciding what to get and trying to get some, none of the stores near me appear to have any in stock.

Can anyone help in recommending an alternative I can buy this weekend in store, as I want to have a go at this job over half term. There is a Tile Giant and a Topps about 15 miles away, I am hoping I can get something there at a similar price??? Tile Giant have no prices on their website, Topps seem to just do BAL which looks expensive.

Help appreciated.

Neil

Go to tile Giant and get Mapei Bagged adhesive.

Welcome neil, forget the ready mix, tile Giant, mapei P9 is what I would use

Use Mapei P9, it lasts 8 hours in the bucket so gives you more time

Wow thanks for the prompt replies, any ideas what I will pay as a punter, and how far a bag goes? I have no tools for mixing, can it be done by hand, and if so are the instructions idiot proof?

use a drill with a paddle mixer(£5 from b and q)

What I should also have added, three of the walls are new plasterboard the remaining wall is plastered. Would I need to do any wall prep if I go for the P9.

thanks??

Walls needs priming with mapei G or bal apd, I'd go belt and braces and prime them all

as all good advice above from me!

Not all TG stores stock P9 (my local store does not ), so you may need to use Mapei Keraflex instead (still has an 8 hour bucket life, so no worries). I always prime plasterboard and plastered walls with an acrylic primer, such as Mapei Primer G, before commencing.

Good luck, take your time and think hard about your setting out before you stick your first tile as it will make or break the job.

Agree with above......... use Mapei Keraflex (I always use the maxi version) and also Primer G. Top advice given already........ just dont be tempted to use a regular drill for mixing as it may well burn out. Either invest in a budget (sub £100) mixer, or rent one for a few days (may as well buy one at some rates charged!)

Good luck

A drill isn't essential if it's a one off. A good stick of wood and a bit of elbow grease will suffice.

LoL I have already killed two drills, both mains, whilst using a holesaw whilst drilling holes for routing pipes and cables! I only have my SDS drill and a cheapo cordless left! I have borrowed a 400mm tile cutter and a table tile saw. Funds are tight(hence why it is DIY), so I cannot afford a mixer.

Does anyone know what the retail price of Primer G, and P9 are in Tile Giant, that is assuming I can get it in Swindon?

I have spent some considerable time trying to decide where to start etc, and I think I now have a plan. I think?

I'd use a bucket trowel, which I use most of time anyway

You can mix the adhesive with a bucket or gauging trowel, but don't attempt too much at a time.

Just find the number for your local TG and give them a bell in the morning. Mention that you are a member of tilersforums and they should look after you.

Tile Giant

Nothing wrong with a bucket trowel. Used one most days a week for 4 years in a squad where there was 1 drill between 7 tilers.

Well popped into Tile Giant this morning, got fairly blank looks when I mentioned Mapei P9. I got steered towards Mapegrip D2, I said I had been told powdered adhesives were cheaper. Sales assistant had a fiddle with the till when I asked how much, and she then had to double check with a colleague, yes price was right, paid £23.90 for two 15kg tubs(screwfix have this at £16 for 7.5kg tub), and was told to bring my receipt back if I need more and they will supply at the same price

So thank you to all the help and advice. I can start tiling this evening.

I find hand mixing with a long (3ft is about perfect )stick easiest, no need to work a sweat up lol!

Originally Posted by nwatson6

Well popped into Tile Giant this morning, got fairly blank looks when I mentioned Mapei P9. I got steered towards Mapegrip D2, I said I had been told powdered adhesives were cheaper. Sales assistant had a fiddle with the till when I asked how much, and she then had to double check with a colleague, yes price was right, paid £23.90 for two 15kg tubs(screwfix have this at £16 for 7.5kg tub), and was told to bring my receipt back if I need more and they will supply at the same price

So thank you to all the help and advice. I can start tiling this evening.

Tubbed addy is no good in a bathroom, you need a bagged adhesive.

Tubbed addy belongs in the bin............

Another good wall adhesive is weber set plus if you have any stockist's near by, you'll have to mix it but you should get about 4 hours in which to use it, any acrylic primer should do.


Edit
Sorry didn't read the latest post!