Wetting ceramic tiles in water 1 hour before fixing.

[Gazebo]

Good morning all.

I have a small quad shower enclosure to tile, it is stud walls lined with aquapanel and jointed etc. I am using white spf addy. My question is the tiles turned up yesterday and on the box it stated they should be immersed in water for at least 1 hour before fixing and that any excess water is left to dry.


They are 600x300 ceramics and i have never seen this or used this method before.


Any advice? do i really need to immerse them in water 1st.?


I am supposed to be fixing them today so any early risers with answers would be greatly appreciated.


Gary

[Gazebo]

also tiles have a rectified edge any tips would be appreciated.

[Mike]

are you fixing them standard set or brick bond? if brick bond the walls need to be spot on as any imperfections will show, especially with the rectified edges

[Gazebo]

no standard set only Mike.


Cheers

[Mike]

check the tiles aren't bowed, put some tiles face to face and see if they 'rock'. some tiles that size are liable to bow

[Gazebo]

Makes me curious as to why the manufacturer stipulates immersing the tiles though.

[doug boardley]

are they terracotta?

[Gazebo]

No Doug, just a white biscuit ceramic. they seem to be quite light for the size and thickness, i spoke to the independent shop who supplied them and you really dont want to know what they said. trust me.

Makes me wonder how they stay in business.

[doug boardley]

I remember years ago we used to soak clay tiles when we fixed them with sand and cement, but thought that method had died out long ago,,,,what did they say?

[pjc]

are they that old lol

[Dave]

If the biscuit is that porous then simply back skim before fixing..

I cannot see a need for soaking them that long ffs..

[widler]

i did a bathroom in some kinda tile,can't remember what called6x6 white +skirting+pencil+dado,think they were from some reclamation place in blackpool,they had to be soaked,really thick tiles and the back was porous as hell,dried the addy like a,erm, quick drying thing,looked the dogs though,im going back there in a bit to tile a floor,will try and get some pic's,when noones in so not to look a weirdo taking pics of there loo i tiled 6 ish years ago

[Gazebo]

I will post a pic of tile and instructions on box just as soon as I get chance.