is there such a thing as mechanical fastenings for large/heavy stone tiles

[Stuart L]

I recently posted a question concerning some 600 x 600 x 10 limestone tiles I have fixed to my chimney breast. These are coming away for the 3rd time. They were fixed using a Vitcas heat resistant adhesive and grout. The answers I got from the forum were not very helpful, so I contacted Vitcus with the same questions. The answer I got back is below,

"We believe the tiles are coming away because of they are a considerable size and weight for our tile adhesive to hold alone and we advise that they are mechanically fixed in place.


When you reattach your tile(s) we recommend that you use our VITCAS Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive with a full 3mm coverage across the whole back of each tile. This is best achieved using a 6mm tile comb which distributes the adhesive evenly and consistently. Our Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive should also be using in conjunction with out VITCAS PVA Sealer. The PVA would need to coat the wall and the back of the tile first, applying the product neat. Once the PVA is sticky and tacky you can apply the Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive to the back of the tile and apply to the wall . You do not need to wait for the PVA to dry fully".

based on this advice from Vitcas I have 2 questions

1) is there such a thing as mechanical fixing to assist holding the tile up? ( please don't suggest drilling the face of the tiles and attaching with screws).
2) based on my reading of this forum there is a resistance from a lot of the members to using PVA, why?

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

' Some of the adhesives are intended for thin (approx 3mm) adhesive beds and will adhere metal to metal, ceramic to metal as well as ceramic to masonry. Others can be used much more thickly where the surface of the substrate is uneven and there is an element of gap filling' - Is this important? What are the tiles stuck to? How hot does it get?

Advice on fireproof tile adhesive - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/advice-on-fireproof-tile-adhesive.26025/

 

[WetSaw]

I'd use a bagged adhesive rather than ready mixed. There are mechanical fixings for tiles but it's not something you'd normally use in this situation.

 

[Stuart L]

Julian
my original post detailing the problem is
Fire proof adhesive failing on chimney breast - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/fire-proof-adhesive-failing-on-chimney-breast.85819/#post-902472

the tiles are on flat/new fire board with the recommended 3mm bed.

 

[GoneGuy]

 

[LM]

I recently posted a question concerning some 600 x 600 x 10 limestone tiles I have fixed to my chimney breast. These are coming away for the 3rd time. They were fixed using a Vitcas heat resistant adhesive and grout. The answers I got from the forum were not very helpful, so I contacted Vitcus with the same questions. The answer I got back is below,

"We believe the tiles are coming away because of they are a considerable size and weight for our tile adhesive to hold alone and we advise that they are mechanically fixed in place.


When you reattach your tile(s) we recommend that you use our VITCAS Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive with a full 3mm coverage across the whole back of each tile. This is best achieved using a 6mm tile comb which distributes the adhesive evenly and consistently. Our Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive should also be using in conjunction with out VITCAS PVA Sealer. The PVA would need to coat the wall and the back of the tile first, applying the product neat. Once the PVA is sticky and tacky you can apply the Heat Resistant Tile Adhesive to the back of the tile and apply to the wall . You do not need to wait for the PVA to dry fully".

based on this advice from Vitcas I have 2 questions

1) is there such a thing as mechanical fixing to assist holding the tile up? ( please don't suggest drilling the face of the tiles and attaching with screws).
2) based on my reading of this forum there is a resistance from a lot of the members to using PVA, why? View attachment 98148

Stuart below is a mechanical fixing system.
If you search the forum there is a detailed thread explaining why PVA can’t be used in the tiling world.
RAI-FIX - Raimondi s.p.a. professional tile tools - http://www.raimondispa.com/en/prodotti/rai-fix-gb/

 

[LM]

It’s worth having a read through this also.
New here. Some advice - https://www.tilersforums.com/threads/new-here-some-advice.85061/#post-889848

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

Smart - looks very clever. Some smashing solutions about and i've not idea they exist without people like yourselves.

 

[Stuart L]

Thanks guys , I understand the PVA chemistry thingy now.
Since Vitcas are recommending that you use their PVA, would this indictate that either the Vitcus adhesive does not contain cement or their PVA is not really PVA but something else?

 

[Stuart L]

yeah I think that looks the bees knees, thanks Adey