BAL Bal GT1 Admixture.......... - Tile Advice

[Andy Allen]

Has anyone ever used this in other grouts besides bal to make them more flexible ...
I know you shouldn't do it, and bal would never recommend it........ But in the real world do you think it would have disastrous consequences if used in grout 3000....?

 

[Perry]

Andy why have you a problem that you need a more flexible grout?

 

[Andy Allen]

Got a rush job in tomorrow, and maybe using tilemaster Grout 3000, it's a timber substrate and I prefer to use the tilemaster additive to make it more flexible....... Only trouble is I can't get hold of any till the end of the week but got loads of GT1 on the van...

 

[Perry]

I used to use Bal and Ardex and Feb Pci grout admixes with all sorts of grouts. Even had to mix grouts together in the old days as none of them used to do the grouts they do nowadays. A lot of the admixes are supplied by the same manufacturers.

 

[Flintstone]

Grout 3000 is flexible anyway without adding anything to it. Adding flexmaster additive makes it terrible to use, sticks to the face of tiles like glue

 

[One Day]

I believe gt1 is pva, albeit a very good, possibly modified pva.
I doubt adding it will do any harm, other than invalidating any warranty.

 

[Andy Allen]

Grout 3000 is flexible anyway without adding anything to it. Adding flexmaster additive makes it terrible to use, sticks to the face of tiles like glue

It's recommended to add it to the grout on a timber substrate to increase the flexibility...

 

[Flintstone]

Not sure it’s needed unless it’s a ‘problematic floor’. I stand to be corrected tho.
When i first started using grout 3000 a few years ago I’m sure they said you need it with polished porcelain/rectified to help it stick to the edge.

 

[Flintstone]

 

[Andy Allen]

T&G floor boards and floating floors.
Not saying I would ever tile on any of these substrates...... But there timber floors and although I always overboard them with hardie or insulation boards I prefer the belt and braces approach...

 

[Andy Allen]

I believe gt1 is pva, albeit a very good, possibly modified pva.
I doubt adding it will do any harm, other than invalidating any warranty.

Certainly smells like PVA...

 

[Flintstone]

How do you find it to use with add mix ?

 

[Andy Allen]

How do you find it to use with add mix ?

It's OK... I tend to just point in the joints with the grout float as apposed to spreading it over the whole tile.

 

[Mark@Tilemaster]

Hi Andy,

I realize this may arrive too late, however using BAL GT1 with Grout 3000 would be OK. For obvious reasons we'd prefer Flexmaster to be used, but where it is needed, GT1 will be suitable.

I don't believe GT1 to be a PVA, although it is a form of enhanced liquid polymer that will increase the adhesion properties and flexibility of the grout, or product it is added into. I am not sure of the dilution rates of GT1 however so would suggest adding small amounts at a time to get to the consistency you would usually see from using Flexmaster with Grout 3000.

Of course there is no issue with you using Flexmaster in all applications of Grout 3000, however our usual advice would be to use Grout 3000 & Flexmaster in any application where Ultimate adhesive (S2) has needed to be used. Steel substrates, T&G Floorboards, Fibreglass etc. In all other appliactions, Grout 3000 can be used as it is.

I hope this helps.

 

[Andy Allen]

Hi Andy,

I realize this may arrive too late, however using BAL GT1 with Grout 3000 would be OK. For obvious reasons we'd prefer Flexmaster to be used, but where it is needed, GT1 will be suitable.

I don't believe GT1 to be a PVA, although it is a form of enhanced liquid polymer that will increase the adhesion properties and flexibility of the grout, or product it is added into. I am not sure of the dilution rates of GT1 however so would suggest adding small amounts at a time to get to the consistency you would usually see from using Flexmaster with Grout 3000.

Of course there is no issue with you using Flexmaster in all applications of Grout 3000, however our usual advice would be to use Grout 3000 & Flexmaster in any application where Ultimate adhesive (S2) has needed to be used. Steel substrates, T&G Floorboards, Fibreglass etc. In all other appliactions, Grout 3000 can be used as it is.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for your reply.
And it makes a change to hear an honest reply for once, instead of... Use our products only, or your world will come crashing down around you reply.
Rest assured given more time I would of used all tilemaster products, as there excellent to work with....