what tile area defines small format/large format

[aflemi]

I have 330mm x 250mm ceramic tiles to put up on bathroom wall inc shower area. Can I use tubbed, eg bal green star for normal walls and bal grip for shower area?

[theyomper]

I would go by 300 x 300 small format anything else large format.
I would be happy to use tubbed on your size but allow extra time to set before grouting. If in any doubt use bagged addy as normally you would have a pot life of 5 hours or more.

[aflemi]

Cheers friend, that's a relief as I've bought the adhesive.....
Thanks help.

[grumpygrouter]

I agree with Yomper, though it really depends how much use your shower is going to get as to if another adhesive would be a better choice.

[aflemi]

Eh, probably only 2/3 times a week as it's a guest room en-suite.... What altenative would there be, Bal reckon grip good for communal showers etc so indicates comfortable in a domestic situ... Or does the tile size make a difference (so to speak) in that respect?

[davy_G]

I started of using tubbed gear as much as possible because it saved on mixing. Now i always try to use bagged gear on bathroom walls and save the tubbed gear for fiddly kitchen splashbacks.

[grumpygrouter]

Eh, probably only 2/3 times a week as it's a guest room en-suite.... What altenative would there be, Bal reckon grip good for communal showers etc so indicates comfortable in a domestic situ... Or does the tile size make a difference (so to speak) in that respect?

You will be ok in that case. if it had been heavy use, would have suggested tanking and cement based adhesive, that's all.

[aflemi]

Thanks, just to be sure of something, I do plan to tank it anyway, there's no problem with using Grip on tanking is there?

[david campbell]

to put the tanking on you will need a cement based flexi adhesive,if it's for a shower area i would use white star,it's much easier to use than grip!

[aflemi]

Thanks, but now I am confused, White Star is tubbed and not cementitious, is it not?

[grumpygrouter]

Thanks, but now I am confused, White Star is tubbed and not cementitious, is it not?

Correct, but one of the best tubbed adhesives you can buy. You will only need cementitous adhesive if you tank.

[Dave]

Correct, but one of the best tubbed adhesives you can buy. You will only need cementitous adhesive if you tank.

Very expenssive though...

Mapei do one as good if not better and cheaper.....Mapei grip D2 or Mapei grip plus....

[aflemi]

Tx grumpy, Now I have a quandary, I have bought Bal Grip (usual, Topps don't do White Star any more........)with the intention of tanking. Are you suggesting that it's not really essential to tank?
I have newly re-skimmed solid walls. Shower to be used 2/3 times per week (as above).
Do I take Grip back, tank and use powdered flexible, or just use the Bal grip over primed but untanked plaster?

[grumpygrouter]

it is always advisable to tank a wet area, and this is always something I recommend to potential customers. Some see the sense in it, others just see the short term cost. In your case, you are doing the work yourself and only you can decide whether it is worth taking the risk of water getting through and destroying your walls. As you are only maybe using the shower 2 or 3 times a week there is less risk than you would normally expect with a full "family" bathroom where maybe 4 or 5 or more people will be using the shower every day.

You need to bear in mind how the water gets through to the substrate - in a "normal" shower that has no faults, this is usually by permeation through the grout and then adhesive. This water will then evaporate back out, probably long before the moisture contacts the susbstrate if the shower is used occasionally. However, should you start to have cracking in the gorut for whatever reason, then moisture penetrates much quicker.

The best thing I can say to you is this - if it was my shower, I would tank it and use appropriate adhesives and grouts for the job.

Personally I wouldn't take the risk of not tanking.

[aflemi]

I agree, I prefer to be sure, so back to topps with the Bal grip to exchange then....
Thanks replies and info guys..... especially Grumpy. Must be freezin' in Nairn at the moment, good luck...

[aflemi]

Guys on this, what cementitious adhesive would be best for the money, ie 330x250 ceramic tiles in tanked shower, must be Bal as have to go back to topps. Rapidset flexible? Anything cheaper in their range work in this situation??

[grumpygrouter]

I would opt for SPF. if you are using a tanking membrane SPF is a better choice and you also get longer in the bucket - 5hrs. You can get it in white if you need to but it is more expensive.

Nairn isn't tooooo cold at the moment. About -6 this morning.

Whare are you at?

[aflemi]

Cheers, sure I've got some left somewhere...
Family originally from Dornoch, mother still there, I've been in Essex last 25+ years. Soft Southerner now.... Appreciate helpful advice...........