DIY Tiling - Adhesives
It is important to prepare the surface before adhesive is applied. Different surfaces may require different treatment. For best results, here are some tips that may be useful
Preparation
Ensure that all surfaces are structurally sound before tiling. Surfaces should be dry, clean and free from movement, oil, grease, wax, curing compounds and any foreign or contaminating particles. Different surfaces may require different treatment.
- All building boards must be firmly fixed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and legal standards.
- Porous or dusty surfaces (including fibre cement and other building boards) must initially be primed.
- Painted surfaces must be scabbled or abraded to expose at least 80% of the original substrate.
- Newly rendered or screeded surfaces must be allowed to cure for at least 7 days and have a wood float finish.
- New concrete must be allowed to cure for 6 weeks and should have a wood float finish.
- Old rendered or screeded surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned prior to tiling and have a wood float finish.
- Old concrete surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned prior to tiling. Make sure all release agents are removed from concrete surfaces, especially on tilt-up slabs.
- Steel trowel finished concrete must be acid etched or mechanically abraded prior to tiling.
Applying adhesive
- Coat the back of tiles with lugs or grooves or larger tiles with adhesive before placing. This is required to ensure adequate adhesive coverage and a better bond.
- Make sure the adhesive does not skin before bedding the tile. If the surface is properly primed, up to 2m2 of adhesive may be spread at any one time.
- Press tiles firmly into position and make sure that all the tiles are well bedded with no voids in the adhesive.
- Occasionally lift a tile after placing to check that the coverage is adequate.
- After laying, do not disturb or allow traffic ion the tiles for at least 24 hours at 20°C/