What is the best floor tile adhesive to use...The floor is half concrete half wood. The concrete floor had bitumen adhesive on it so I primed the whole floor with 2 part epoxy paint as used on the ship's hull...I did buy buckets of B & Q ready mixed stuff but I'm going to return them today as I've read that stuff is no good. I am thinking of buying UniBond Rapid Set Ceramic Floor Tile Adhesive...is that any good..or is there something better than that I can us. Any pointers will be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance...

What type of tile are you intending to 'fix' - you mention Ceramic floor tiles.
What other preparation have you completed on the sub floor ie to overcome the different base structure.

it's Eclipse Ceramic Floor Tile from B & Q and I've used the same primer for both the wooden and concrete floor. The wooden floor is chipboard..

Originally Posted by nickm

What is the best floor tile adhesive to use...The floor is half concrete half wood. The concrete floor had bitumen adhesive on it so I primed the whole floor with 2 part epoxy paint as used on the ship's hull...I did buy buckets of B & Q ready mixed stuff but I'm going to return them today as I've read that stuff is no good. I am thinking of buying UniBond Rapid Set Ceramic Floor Tile Adhesive...is that any good..or is there something better than that I can us. Any pointers will be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance...

What makes you think this is suitable to tile 2 ??

The paint specialist at my place of work said its waterproof so and epoxy resin based so it should be fine. I also read on Wicks' website to use epoxy primer on bitumen glue before using their rapid set adhesive. Is there anything else I need to do..

Originally Posted by nickm

The paint specialist at my place of work said its waterproof so and epoxy resin based so it should be fine. I also read on Wicks' website to use epoxy primer on bitumen glue before using their rapid set adhesive. Is there anything else I need to do..

Yes i would contact the adhesive manufacturer to see if they will advise using their adhesive on something like this.
You have used a paint not a primer...different IMO
For the Bitumen you could have used SBR mixed with cement adhesive to prime. The timber is a whole new ball game as we would need to know the condition and what sort of timber etc.

now you have got me thinking...it is chipboard but now also covered in the same paint!

And is the chipboard free from deflection?

it is free from deflection...

Just my opinion, but chipboard is not a suitable substrate for tiling. whatever it is primed with

what do you suggest I do..

If the chipboard is not moving in anyway (not a floating floor is it ?) then I would overboard with tile backer boards (6mm) and then tile.
Really need full details though.

You will also have expansion issues between the differing substrates... is the break in substrates a straight line..?

yes...the break is in a straight line as it is part of the extension....if I put tile backer boards then I will have to raise the concrete floor to level it...is that what I should do..

Yes, you can either over board both areas ( leaving a gap where the 2 surfaces meet) or overboard the wood and SLC on the concrete.
I am still concerned though with any product sticking to this epoxy paint ????

I will add my two penneth for you
If this was my job and I had arrived with this 'epoxy paint' already down I would be:
1. Mechanically removing the paint and bitumen residues using a grinding machine suitable to the floor area size with a dust extraction kit.
2. Assuming it is free from deflection, overboarding the chipboard with Hardie Backerboard as per manufacturers instructions.
3. Screeding the conctrete with a suitable SLC up to a flush height with the HBB, leaving a movement joint between the two.
4. I would be taking a look if it was possible to set a full tile away from this movement joint. In that I mean does it leave you with any silly small cuts anywhere.
5. Installing a preformed movement joint at the junction between the two floor constructions with an infill colour to match whatever grout you intend to use or alternatively you could just leave this joint ungrouted and fill with a suitable flexible sealant.

Hope that makes sense to you

And get a decent adhesive, such as Mapei Keraquick for the whole lot.

I got the following email from Construction Chemicals ...

You will have to prime the surface with a cement/SBR slurry prior to tiling. Dilute SBR 1 to 1 with water and mix this with cement to give a thin paste. Apply this to the floor and this will give a good base for you to tile.

hi sir ramic ,you have advised nickm to use sbr mixed with cement adhesive to prime a bitumin glue covered floor before tiling. Im new to this game and not quite sure what you mean.?could you please help ? cheers !