Urgent Pro Advice needed!!! - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Grace'sDad · 24-01-2008

Hi guys, I have called back at home specifically to ask this. I'm on a job this week and I had planned on overboarding the 5" t&g floorboards and using normal flexible adhesives and wide joint grouts. Now my customer wants to avoid raising the levels. I've never used BAL fast flex 2 part adhesive before so I don't know what to expect. I know it's very expensive but IF IT WORKS then I'll save in ply and time (some of which I can pass on to my customer). Is it suitable for cleaned, primed, 5" t&g floor boards with only a very slight deflection? For over 100years old, the floor is in good shape. I know everyone prefers to overboard, but has anyone here any experience with this? The largest area is approx 4m x 4m. Joists are at 350mm approx and of course i'll ensure all boards are well screwed down. Thanks peeps!

GazTech · 24-01-2008

[quote=Grace'sDad;50812]Hi guys, I have called back at home specifically to ask this. I'm on a job this week and I had planned on overboarding the 5" t&g floorboards and using normal flexible adhesives and wide joint grouts. Now my customer wants to avoid raising the levels. I've never used BAL fast flex 2 part adhesive before so I don't know what to expect. I know it's very expensive but IF IT WORKS then I'll save in ply and time (some of which I can pass on to my customer). Is it suitable for cleaned, primed, 5" t&g floor boards with only a very slight deflection? For over 100years old, the floor is in good shape. I know everyone prefers to overboard, but has anyone here any experience with this? The largest area is approx 4m x 4m. Joists are at 350mm approx and of course i'll ensure all boards are well screwed down. Thanks peeps![/quote]you will be fine...prime all boards in APD, then back butter the tiles also, wide joint grout with GT1 is essential.....Gaz

Grace'sDad · 24-01-2008

Cheers buddy! I hear your off sick?

GazTech · 24-01-2008

yea...got 1 or two health problems at the moment.....but I will bounce back........boing lol

**grumpygrouter** · 24-01-2008

I can concurr with Gaz, Gracies Dad. I used Fastflex on two small bathroom floors. Messy stuff though, you need to clean as you go along, the stuff gets every where! I discovered after I did my jobs that my 6mm trowel was actually too big. BAL make a trowel specifically for this with special extended ribs at the end to provide a 4mm solid bed fixing.

Next time I (HAVE TO) use fastflex I will use a 4.5mm trowel!

Also check out Ardex 7001, does the same thing only single part.

Good luck.

Grumpy

Grace'sDad · 24-01-2008

Thanks Grumpy, So I can't use a standard floor trowel? I assume if a put down a solid bed and then comb with a 4mm floor trowel this means I'll have to back butter the tiles too?! Why not a normal 12mm floor trowel?

**Sir Ramic** · 24-01-2008

Just a little tip when using this method and if you have the time is to mix the adhesive and go over the area to be tiled with the adhesive. Use the back of your trowel or a plastering trowel. This will fill any cuping in the boards and the following day laying the tiles will be easier and a lot less messy.

**grumpygrouter** · 24-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace'sDad

Thanks Grumpy, So I can't use a standard floor trowel? I assume if a put down a solid bed and then comb with a 4mm floor trowel this means I'll have to back butter the tiles too?! Why not a normal 12mm floor trowel?

because it is really really soft stuff, when you bed the tile into the adhesive is squirts out through the grout lines like whipped cream. Because it is soft, it increases the coverage to pretty much 100% if trowelled right.

This is the trowel I am talking about.

Grumpy

Grace'sDad · 29-01-2008

I just finished fixing total of 18sqm today. Lovely stuff it is too (although a tad messy). I've not used it before but will definitely use it again. I can see it replacing the usual over-boarding in some cases now. It's expensive but compared to overboarding; materials and time, it has saved me money on this job.

Sir Ramic's advice to fill the cupping on the boards was one of the simplest and best pieces of advice I've ever had! Made the job go so much better - Thanks

**Sir Ramic** · 29-01-2008

No problem , glad to help.

GazTech · 29-01-2008

Another succesful job courtesy of tilersforums....well done Mark.....Gaz

**Dan** · 29-01-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

because it is really really soft stuff, when you bed the tile into the adhesive is squirts out through the grout lines like whipped cream. Because it is soft, it increases the coverage to pretty much 100% if trowelled right.

This is the trowel I am talking about.

Grumpy

Had to remove that picture of the trowel as it has a brand logo on it. I'll try and find an original trowel but for future reference they're made by Benson Industried Ltd and NETT stock their trowels.