Mosaic Tiles Not holding to wall

[hardmandez]

Hi Everyone,

I hope someone here can help with my tiling problem. I have been am putting marble mosaic tiles on all the walls in my bathroom but they won't stick to the walls properly and keep falling away or popping out.

The tiles are on a sheet 30 cm x 30 cm each individial tile is 5 cm x 5 cm. I am trying to stick the tiles to the wall with Unibond Anti-mould Shower & Bathroom Grout and Adhesive. Can someone advise me on how I can get the tiles to stick to the wall, should I look at using a different adhesive?

Cheers

HDZ.

[TheWrightTiler]

use bal mosaic fix and when pressed onto wall use grout float to tap into place

[pjc]

your adhesive may of skinned which means if you leave it to long before putting the tiles on, touch it with you finger if it doesn't transfer its skinned do not i repeat do not use it as grout or you will have a very large problem ? :Pete

[grumpygrouter]

What are your walls made of? Are they clean and dust free? Did your (not very good) adhesive recommend any priming prior to fixing?

It is not a good idea to have a combined adhesive/grout. The two functions are completely different so you should have different properties for each process!

Grumpy

[Fekin]

As they guys have said, Unibond Anti-mould Shower & Bathroom Grout and Adhesive is not propper stuff to use really, get some propper Mosaic fix adhesive, and a good mocroban grout which is anti mould.

Not to ask a really stupid question but, there isn't still a plastic type of backing on the mosaic tiles is there ? like a sheet film, as this has to be removed "if there in the first place" before fixing.

I know it's a dumb question, but with you saying the mosaic tiles just are not sticking, even using poor quality ready mixed duel adhesive\grout, I would of expected mosaics still to grip, or you simply might not be pressing firmly enough onto the mosaic sheet enough when setting them.

Good luck

[GazTech]

Are you also using the correct trowel for mosaics., and you must sponge the dust of the back of natural stone, ....hope this helps....Gaz

[Rad2474]

I use selotapesticks everytime super strong hold.(ok it dosen't)

[pjc]

Are you also using the correct trowel for mosaics., and you must sponge the dust of the back of natural stone, ....hope this helps....Gaz

Shows you how often he uses his trowel

[hardmandez]

Perhaps I should nonail them to the wall. That would hold.

Thanks for all your responses chaps. The walls I am tiling on to are half ceramic tiles half plaster. The tiles run from the floor half way up the wall. The plaster and tiles are flush. Its nice and clean as well.

The trowel I am using is a ¼" square notched trowel. I was thinking of using a finer triangular trowel.

I will look at using the Bal Mosaic adhesive and see how that goes, that or getting a pro in to do the job.

[grumpygrouter]

Hi Hardmandez. Looks like you maybe have 2 issues here. You unibond stuff is almost certainly not suitable for tiling onto tile and you trowel choice may be a bit big.

Mosaic fix will be best, probably and I wouldn't use a trowel any bigger than 4.5mm, maybe even smaller if you have one.

Grumpy

[Sir Ramic]

Are you also using the correct trowel for mosaics., and you must sponge the dust of the back of natural stone, ....hope this helps....Gaz

IS THIS THE LEFT HANDED VERSION GAZ ??????

[rob hutchinson]

I agree with you guy's Bal mosaic fix takes some beating.....I have used it to fix a large mural made from glass mosaics fixed with this on to a rendered wall to the exterior of a school. It's been out there for @ 5 years now and has never flackered...........mosaic thin bed trowel should be used

[GazTech]

IS THIS THE LEFT HANDED VERSION GAZ ??????

No Neale.it is right handed Benson trowel....but has been invertly imposed on the website.....Gaz

[Tilestiles]

3-4mm trowel maximum and use decent adhesive like the guys suggest. Never, ever use fix and grout adhesive. Its pants!!

[brian c]

after doing all of the above,try pinning the mosaic in position using panel pins and remove when set,use a mosaic fix adhesive and trowel.