Good evening

I have a tiler coming in on Thursday to tile a bathroom floor and wall area around the bath, which i have prepared and would appreciate some guidance on materials.

The floor is T&G on joists, overlayed with ply and then further overlayed with the new Marmox acoustic tile backer boards which are fixed using a special bead of flexible acoustic adhesive. I have then fitted electric UFH and covered with tile master flexible SLC.

The SLC went down a week ago and I have noticed that there are surface hairline cracks running across the room in quite a few areas. However the floor feels perfectly solid and is not breaking up in anyway. Is this normal?

The walls around the bath have been boarded with 12.5mm Marmox tile backer board and tanked with Ditra.

The floor tiles are Porcelonosa 44x66x10 and the wall tiles are 33x100x9 porcelain.

I will be providing materials for the tiler and was set on Dunlop fast set flex but have not seen many good reviews on the forum for Dunlop products so should i look at something else?

For the walls, i was going to provide the same SPF as the floors but my tiler said "buy 2 x tubs" which understandably has put doubt in my mind that he is not up to the job, as with these size tiles i'm sure it would never set!

The bath is a whirlpool and doubles up as a shower so i need to use a good quality grout to prevent water ingress. Do i need to use an epoxy type grout?

In short if the tiler knows of your tile choice and asked for tubbed adhesive - I'd be concerned.
Confirm the wall tile size and type.

The tub bit is a worry...

Yep never use tubbed anymore and certainly not on a tile that size

Two tubs please

Might be worth seeing if there is a member near you intrested?

Originally Posted by Gall.B

Two tubs please

Might be worth seeing if there is a member near you intrested?

I tried that but no responses!

Can anyone suggest suitable adhesives and grouts? Dunlop??

I'd be using a single part flexible standard for the walls and a rapid for the floor...

mapei, weber and bal are probably the preferred brands but there are lots of other good ones available. depends what store you have local to you? do you have a tile giant nearby?

if it was me id use bal single part flexible white adhesive for walls and bal rapid set flexible grey for floor.i use bal because its good to work with and never had any problems with it and is alot cheaper than mapei at my trade prices.

As Mike or if theres a CTD branch near you.

Any pics of that screed? never seen that brand before.

Has the UFH been turned on since the SLC went down, do you have much Ditra left?

Really, Bal cheaper ????

What Tile master products?

Originally Posted by Gall.B

What Tile master products?

Tile master levelflex was used for SLC.

Whats the reason for not using a rapid set on the walls?

Originally Posted by Gall.B

As Mike or if theres a CTD branch near you.

Any pics of that screed? never seen that brand before.

Has the UFH been turned on since the SLC went down, do you have much Ditra left?

No ditra left im afraid and the ufh hasnt been switched on. Im sure the SLC wont fail but have used this stuff once before and didnt notice any cracks.

Do i need to use an epoxy grout for the shower area.

Originally Posted by whitebeam

Really, Bal cheaper ????

Didnt see you edited your post Whitebeam, thought the really was for me

No problem using rapid as long as your addy is flexi suitable for porcelain & UFH, id plump for Weber SPF rapid.
Would want to get to the bottom of the cracks before I proceed, was the SLC mixed per instructions? Is the floor deflection free.

Shame no Ditra left, I like to stick a decoupler on top of the screed, just a personal prefrence.

It would be best too, but make sure your tiler is experienced in using it.
On the downside overall cost is much more expensive.
Or a good flexi grout, seal after using a good grout sealer.

what about this adhesive "instarmac ultra proflex"

Your tiler should be advising you in regards to adh .so far all i am hearing is alarm bells ,you might be better to have a good talk to him and make sure you get the answers you want

Thats why you employ a tiler to do the job

Dont take this the wrong way .just trying to help

Originally Posted by jay

Your tiler should be advising you in regards to adh .so far all i am hearing is alarm bells ,you might be better to have a good talk to him and make sure you get the answers you want

Thats why you employ a tiler to do the job

Dont take this the wrong way .just trying to help

The tiler has recommended i purchase "instarmac ultra proflex" but would like to see if its any good

Fair enough not familiar with that one someone will be on shortly who can advice on it

There is a 2part flexible addy that comes in tubs i hope its that hes planning to use