quick question - travertine & painted walls

[Grace'sDad]

Just wondered what you'd do?

I'm faced with painted plasterboard walls (dot n dabbed). The paint (2 layers) has been well keyed and doesn't pull off at all with the duck-tape test.

There are so many stray pipes and cables behind the boards that I am loathe to drill, plug and screw backer boards up. (I think the walls were altered by rogue traders).

I need to fix 450 x 300 travertine, using BAL SPF.

I want to score up the paint using my hardibacker knife, right through to plaster, prime with BAL Bond SBR and tile away.

Would anyone else do this? I don't think I'd do this with BIG travertine but my metal detector was lit up like a xmas tree on these walls. I cut out a few holes and there were leccy cables strung at 45 degrees and microbore heating pipes everywhere!

watyoofink???

[grumpygrouter]

have you weighed a tile to see how heavy it is?

[Grace'sDad]

One tile weighs around 2kilo (on customer's kitchen scales) - they are 10mm thick @ 450x305mm.

[GazTech]

I would be well tempted to use mosaic fix Mark, it is far and away the best adhesive for this situation.....Gaz

Allow 4kg per m2 for adhesive and grout, you are within the limit, no need to score or prime with mosaic fix....Gaz

[grumpygrouter]

One tile weighs around 2kilo (on customer's kitchen scales) - they are 10mm thick @ 450x305mm.

At 7 tiles per m2 that makes the tiles well within the plasterbaord weight limit doesn't it?

[grumpygrouter]

For some reason I can't "quote" your reply Gaz, It says I don't have access priveliges. lol.

Got to agree about the mosaic-fix, brilliant stuff, real dogs danglies in my opinion.

[sibs]

For some reason I can't "quote" your reply Gaz, It says I don't have access priveliges. lol.

Got to agree about the mosaic-fix, brilliant stuff, real dogs danglies in my opinion.

Does mosaic fix have extra sticking qualities? Whats the difference between that and spf apart from the obvious?

[GazTech]

Does mosaic fix have extra sticking qualities? Whats the difference between that and spf apart from the obvious?

Chris, the mosaic fix is the most polymer modified adhesive we make in powder form, single part flexible is just modified not highly modified. There is only a certain limit to how much flexi property you can add to adhesive before it is too sticky to work with when fixing.......Gaz

[sWe]

Adhesive meant for mosaics normally has increased sticking properties, as mosaics tend to be made from porcelain or glass, which is really dense and non-absorbant.

[sibs]

Chris, the mosaic fix is the most polymer modified adhesive we make in powder form, single part flexible is just modified not highly modified. There is only a certain limit to how much flexi property you can add to adhesive before it is too sticky to work with when fixing.......Gaz

So mosaic fix is the most modified adhesive that you can add just water to and using that will negate the need to score the paint? Have I got that right? Its just if thats the case its a handy thing to bear in mind so just looking for clarification Thanks Gaz

[Grace'sDad]

Thanks Guys.

Gaz, I used the mosiac fix on that job last week and it stuck those new ceramics onto the old glazed tiles a real treat. It's lovely stuff to work with too. Now all you need to do to make it the "perfect tile adhesive" is DROP THE RRP!!!

It's too late to swap the adhesives now, so I'll be roughing up and using the SPF. Do you think there is any advantage in priming with SBR though?

[TilingLogistics]

I am really surprised that the tiles only weigh 2KG!

Kev

[GazTech]

Thanks Guys.

Gaz, I used the mosiac fix on that job last week and it stuck those new ceramics onto the old glazed tiles a real treat. It's lovely stuff to work with too. Now all you need to do to make it the "perfect tile adhesive" is DROP THE RRP!!!

It's too late to swap the adhesives now, so I'll be roughing up and using the SPF. Do you think there is any advantage in priming with SBR though?

No need to prime, as you aren't tiling onto a porus surface, nor are you tiling onto gypsum which could react with the adhesive, as for prices, we make it and don't fix the RRP.......Gaz

[GazTech]

So mosaic fix is the most modified adhesive that you can add just water to and using that will negate the need to score the paint? Have I got that right? Its just if thats the case its a handy thing to bear in mind so just looking for clarification Thanks Gaz

Yes Chris that's right, onto plaster you need to prime as you do with any other powdered addy.....Gaz

[Dave]

Chris, the mosaic fix is the most polymer modified adhesive we make in powder form, single part flexible is just modified not highly modified. There is only a certain limit to how much flexi property you can add to adhesive before it is too sticky to work with when fixing.......Gaz

Love mosaic fix......but gazza!! on the BAL site.. SPF is in the highly modified category........can you clarify this please...

Highly Polymer Modified Adhesives
BAL Single Part Flexible
BAL Rapidset Flexible
BAL PTB Flexible
BAL Green Screed Adhesive
BAL Mosaic-Fix Tile Adhesive
BAL Glass Block Adhesive Mortar

[grumpygrouter]

Love mosaic fix......but gazza!! on the BAL site.. SPF is in the highly modified category........can you clarify this please....

Highly Polymer Modified Adhesives
BAL Single Part Flexible
BAL Rapidset Flexible
BAL PTB Flexible
BAL Green Screed Adhesive
BAL Mosaic-Fix Tile Adhesive

BAL Glass Block Adhesive Mortar

Dave, I have the spec sheet in my file hear, it states SPF is Highly Polymer Modified too.

[Grace'sDad]

Mosaic Fix is definiely creamier / stickier in consistancy so probably just has more of the "sticky stuff" in it.

I've used ther manufacturers SPFs before and find that they tend to be sandier and less smooth than BAL SPF.

[Branty]

Beacause you're tiling onto a non porous background (painted walls), you need more polymer. Mosaic fix, or even better, CTF3 plus AD1. 10mm stone sounds like it should weigh more than that. With adhesive and grout, that comes out at about 18-20kg per sqm.
Has the plasterboard been plastered?

[Grace'sDad]

Yup it has a skim coat. Paint is very sound and doesn't pull off with gaffer / duck tape. Tiles must weigh more - I expect the kitchen scales are innacurate?

[Branty]

Yup it has a skim coat. Paint is very sound and doesn't pull off with gaffer / duck tape. Tiles must weigh more - I expect the kitchen scales are innacurate?

If its a plastered wall, then the weight limit is 20kg per sqm.

[GazTech]

Love mosaic fix......but gazza!! on the BAL site.. SPF is in the highly modified category........can you clarify this please...

Highly Polymer Modified Adhesives
BAL Single Part Flexible
BAL Rapidset Flexible
BAL PTB Flexible
BAL Green Screed Adhesive
BAL Mosaic-Fix Tile Adhesive

BAL Glass Block Adhesive Mortar

Spot on Dave, course it is, the mosaic is more refined, therefore loads creamier to use. Mosaic fix also has a superb initial grab, I still think just the job for this job of Marks', but I do stand corrected you rascal...lol

[Dave]

Cheers gazza for clarifying that..............

[GazTech]

If its a plastered wall, then the weight limit is 20kg per sqm.

Dannys right about the weight , if its skimmed. I have before now removed paint and finishing plaster with a steam stripper. The gypsum finish coat, is water sensitive and steam will make it weak enough to remove. Then the plasterboard will hold 32kg per m2 deduct 4kg per m2 for adhesive and grout....Gaz