First time tiler caution

10-03-2005, 02:48 PM	#1
'Andyman Member   Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 59	First time tiler caution Here’s a tip for the first time ceramic tiler. I learned this by sheer chance from a flooring guy at Home Depot. I laid ceramics in my kitchen on top of an additional 5/8” ply subfloor on top of the existing. I think most people know this already as an alternative to the wire and cement route which can be difficult for the beginner. By luck, the guy noticed that I had bought 12” x 12” tiles and ceramic tile adhesive to stick them down and this is where the tip came in. He explained to me that ceramic tile adhesive should never be used on tiles larger than 8” x 8” as it dries too quickly around the perimeter and eventually stops air from getting to the centre where the adhesive stays wet. He said that if the leg of a chair was on the middle of the tile and someone sat on it, it could crack the tile. The proper way of laying bigger tiles was to use a mortar mix instead of the adhesive. Made sense to me after he explained, maybe saved me a lot of heartache and a good beating from the wife. Just something that the first timer wouldn’t think of. It would be interesting to see if any of the flooring pros here agree.

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10-03-2005, 06:09 PM	#2
rspainhower Newbie     Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 26	First time tiler caution NEVER use the premixed(mastic) adhesives. Always use a thin-set made with portland cement that you mix with water, it will work for any size tile from mosaics to 24 x 24. Again, NEVER USE MASTIC/PREMIXED ADHESIVES.

10-03-2005, 08:11 PM	#3
Floorwizard Member     Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Alaska! Posts: 1,522	First time tiler caution Quote: Originally Posted by rspainhower NEVER use the premixed(mastic) adhesives. Always use a thin-set made with portland cement that you mix with water, it will work for any size tile from mosaics to 24 x 24. Again, NEVER USE MASTIC/PREMIXED ADHESIVES. well said

10-03-2005, 11:14 PM	#4
Bonus renovations   Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 430	First time tiler caution The mastic, even when cured, is water soluble and turns into paste if/when it gets wet. It has no place anywhere that might ever get wet. (Like a kitchen or bathroom). Rich.

10-03-2005, 11:25 PM	#5
DecksEtc Carpenter     Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Whitby, Ontario Posts: 139	First time tiler caution What floor doesn't get wet? __________________ Terry To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

10-04-2005, 02:14 AM	#6
Bonus renovations   Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 430	First time tiler caution OK, OK Decks,I agree, it has no place anywhere! God knows it's awful stuff to use.