Help On Floor Tile Not Adhering Correctly

[Holohana]

I have a small problem in that I have laid 30m2 of 350 x 350 floor tiles onto a tiled floor.

I used Dunlop Rapid set large format and also half a bag of PCI Rapid set. Neither of these two adhesives was ever mixed together.

The grout I used was BAL wide joint.

Problem is one tile has come loose and needs lifting, not a problem but im trying to understand what’s caused this problem.

In all my time tiling I have NEVER had a single tile come loose so I don’t think its an application problem as such but wanted to ask you guys your thoughts on what may have caused the problem.

My thoughts are as follows

• Missed that 350 x 350 square when applying BAL APD. I think this is unlikely as others would also be loose wouldn’t they?

• Didn’t apply adhesive correctly in that area. If so wouldn’t others have come loose?

• Something is wrong with that tile that has stopped it adhering to the adhesive. Unlikely and again if one has this problem in a pack im sure others would also have this problem?

• Adhesive was at the end of the pot life and didn’t adhere to that tile correctly. Again I think others would be loose too unless I back buttered that specific tile which I think is favourite at this point!

My only other thought is that the client, my brother, washed the floor too soon after grouting not letting it dry enough. I did tell him to leave it over night but with his obsessive compulsive disorder for cleaning he didn’t and mopped about 5 times the same evening as grouting happened that afternoon!

Again I think this is unlikely as others would also be affected.

Does anyone have any other thoughts on what could have possibly caused this?

Simple answer is I will lift the tile with my new Fein Multimaster, arriving tomorrow, and clean tile or replace with another. BAL APD the area then apply flexi adhesive and grout in the usual manner.

Looking at what sticks to the floor or the tile or both will indicate what’s happened I hope.

Any other possibilities you guys can think of other than the above would be much appreciated?

Thanks all in advance.

[pjc]

Have you laid the tiles directly on to a existing tiled floor?

[uug197h]

The tile could have been dusty and the adhesive would not bond to the tile just the dust.

[Dave]

where the tiles porcelain..and was the adhesive suitable for porcelain tiles...not all rapid set is..

[Holohana]

hi, thanks for replies.

Tiles did go onto existing tiles and the floor shouldnt have been dusty as i applied BAL apd sealer 1st.

Dunlop Rapid set large format is ok for ceramics and other natural tiles including porcelain, plus if it wasnt they would all have come loose i guess.

[GazTech]

replace the said tile....if it happens again we can all worry....Gaz

[pjc]

is bal apd ok for a non [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']Porous substrate ? I thought it was for a porous substrate Dave & Gaz are [FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']probably more up to date than me on bal Pete[/font][/font]

[NETT Darren]

Should have used a flexi adhesive to be on the safe side, also never mix products together like the bal primer and PCI or Dunlop adhesive, stick with the same primer brand as the adhesive you are using. To go on top of existing floor tiles i would use a thin coat of self levelling compound to provide a better bond

[Holohana]

I know that flexi is advised, however as i and others have laid 100m2+ areas on multiple jobs tile on tile that was already on tile i think this is unlikely.

This is as per the spec of the contractor as well.

Taught from a long time served who also only uses rapid set and not flexi!

I think the addy has reached the end of its pot life to be honest.

Old tiles were washed, BAL APD aplied so unlikely thats the issue but maybe.

Be interesting when i lift it tho, watch this space eh.

Thanks for all the good feedback guys.