Spreading Thinset

poolecw

Talk about frustrating...I started laying tile in my new construction home this weekend. B=My broither-in-law, who has lots of tile laying experience, helped me out.

One big problem that we experienced was that the thinset wouldn't stick to the backerboard when trying to spread it. We were using Shaw Multiset and FiberRock backerboard. We had to mix it so that it was a little on the wet side to make it stick (too wet in his opinion).

Has anyone had this happend to them? Any advice?

Thanks

Tileworks

I've never used Shaw Multiset, but I am a regular user of Fiberock underlayment. If thinset isn't sticking, usually dust is to blame. Was the board clean?

Always burn the thinset in with the flat side of the trowel and then come back over it and comb your ridges.

Also, your thinset should be a modified thinset, with versabond or equivalent being the bare bones minimum.

- Bob

poolecw

My first thought was that maybe there was dust on the board. So we used a damp rag and wiped it down before as we went...

The problem occured mostly when trying to notch the ridges.

We overcame the problem by mixing it a little more wet than usual....

thanks