just some help please

[lincsloon]

Hi everyone,
Started my first real job today, 3 months after finishing my training course. A mate of mine wanted his bathroom doing, didn't mind how it looked, his walls were in sh** condition anyway. Started round the window, done my working out, then started sticking the tiles. But they kept sliding, don't know why, put minimal adhesive on, then thickrer, still sliding. He's got instant grab waterproof adhesive ready mixed in the tub from Focus & 330mm x 250mm x 6mm tiles. Any ideas please?

[Fekin]

For starters you should be using cement based powdered adhesive for the tile size you are using.
Also the tubbed adhesive sold at Focus is most probably pure slop too.

You say you used minimal adhesive, what sized notched trowel are you using.
You want to use "in my opinion" either a 6mm or 8mm for those tiles.

If after using the propper adhesive you still get tiles slipping then use battons.

[Sir Ramic]

The adhesive is not suitable, you want to be using powdered adhesive not ready mixed but wouldnt your course have told you that. The size of the tile is too much for ready mixed adhesive. That said the brand you mention wont be that good anyway.

[grumpygrouter]

Agree with Fekin here. Focus DIY adhesive is just that, DIY adhesive. Also pre-mixed adhesive is not really suitable for that size of tile. Where did you do your training course Lincsloon?

[grumpygrouter]

Is this a moderators special response thread?

[GazTech]

Hi everyone,
Started my first real job today, 3 months after finishing my training course. A mate of mine wanted his bathroom doing, didn't mind how it looked, his walls were in sh** condition anyway. Started round the window, done my working out, then started sticking the tiles. But they kept sliding, don't know why, put minimal adhesive on, then thickrer, still sliding. He's got instant grab waterproof adhesive ready mixed in the tub from Focus & 330mm x 250mm x 6mm tiles. Any ideas please?

This will be at best water resistant adhesive when ready mixed. The only waterproof adhesive is epoxy resin.....Gaz

[deanotile]

Yes m8 my idea is ditch the adhesive from focus and get a good one and also use a baton. If you have just finished a tiling course where was it?

[Fekin]

Is this a moderators special response thread?

Yeah, emergency response thread

[Sir Ramic]

Agree with Fekin here. Focus DIY adhesive is just that, DIY adhesive. Also pre-mixed adhesive is not really suitable for that size of tile. Where did you do your training course Lincsloon?

What !! you dont agree with me Russ ? I am deeply hurt

[kilty55]

set a baton up for starters mateand work off that,,also use powdered addy for larger tiles just remember the rapid set goes solid very quickly,take your time and good luck,,might be off use doing homework first on this site for individual jobs to start off mate thats what i done to make sure i knew all i could before tackling jobs

[grumpygrouter]

What !! you dont agree with me Russ ? I am deeply hurt

I always agree with you Neale. just that you made your post at exactly the same time as me......

[whitebeam]

Agree with the other guys and would use 8mm spreader

[cornish_crofter]

No disrespect to the OP but the best approach he could take IMO is to find a good trade outlet like Topps Tiles in his area and get a good working relationship with a knowledgable staff member.

I suspect his course may not have covered large tiles, but probably focused on techniques etc.

After reading a few posts on here and having a bad experience (albeit a few years ago) with Wickes adhesive (tiles came off within weeks), I am now very careful with what I use.

I have used the likes of the Focus rubbish. I kept buying the little tubs of grout to get me through jobs because Focus is convenient for me and the nearest decent tile outlets are 20 miles away.

I now have 2 small tubs of Focus tile adhesive that I really should chuck out. Every job I've done with them I've had to go over twice.

I suppose they're fine for maintaining our let properties

I will only use BAL adhesives in a bathroom now.

When I get a tiling job I now consider what tiles, surfaces etc I am going to work with and assess which materials and tools I will need on an individual basis.

The thing I'm trying to say here is perhaps the likes of us newbies shouldn't take anything for granted.

I've not been on a course yet but I have learned the basics. I particularly like tiling and was asked to tile my inlaw's kitchen a few years ago - by the kitchen fitters!

They saw the floor that I had done in there before they fitted the new kitchen, and asked my mother in law who tiled it.

When she told them it was me they asked her if she could get me to tile the walls, as "it looked like I knew what I was doing". They refunded her the cost of them doing it and she gave that to me

[lincsloon]

Thanks everyone for the comments & help, much appreciated.

[QUOTE]I suspect his course may not have covered large tiles, but probably focused on techniques etc[QUOTE]


Spot on cornish

[lincsloon]

The adhesive is not suitable, you want to be using powdered adhesive not ready mixed but wouldnt your course have told you that. The size of the tile is too much for ready mixed adhesive. That said the brand you mention wont be that good anyway.

Yes Sir i did know that powdered cementious adhesive is always the best, i did voice my doubts of the Focus stuff as i'd been told that B&Q stuff was also cr**. But he was insistent as he'd paid £25 for the stuff & as it is my first job i really didn't wanna argue.
He is now going to buy the proper powdered addy, any suggestions exactly which to buy, obviously it's got to be waterproof, i know BAL is supposed to be good products.

[LM Ceramics]

agree with the rest of the post diy adhesive is a big no no use at least an 8mm trowel for the size of the tiles.

its your first job take your time if the walls are in s*it condition as you say might be a good idea to prep them in future it will save you alot of time

[Grace'sDad]

....find a good trade outlet like Topps Tiles in his area and get a good working relationship with a knowledgable staff member.

He can't do that - the only one they had was in Preston and he's now working for BAL!

[ryanmc0305]

agree with all comments here ! try using batons!