Tiling advice

mi-key

Gavin83 said:

So I gave it a go with a smaller batch and it turned out better. However I mixed at a higher ratio than the pack suggested, 1 part water to 5 parts powder. 

Took a picture:

The issue with the quick setting still remained though.

I’ll have a go at a small batch with the better product that I’m using in the bathroom. Would be good to know how it mixes before applying it at least.

I would try maybe 6 or 7 parts powder, it shouldn't look sloppy when its mixed. 

mi-key

It should have more of a sticky feel than sloppy, if you look at this pic you can see how when it is raked out, the peaks all stay solid and the adhesive has quite a dry appearance : 

Gavin83

stuart45 said:

Old stuff can go off too quick, or not at all. Can be a bit lumpy as well.

I bought it a week ago!

I’m happy to mix it 6/7 parts but I find it odd that I’d need to given the pack says 3.5 parts. Maybe it’s just bad adhesive.

I’ll try it with the better stuff and see how that turns out.

FreeBear

Gavin83 said:

stuart45 said:

Old stuff can go off too quick, or not at all. Can be a bit lumpy as well.

I bought it a week ago!

There may be a manufacturing or use-by date on the packaging. Anything older than say three months should be treated with a degree of caution.

With cement based adhesives, a bit of sugar can sometimes be added to slow the set time.

bolwin1

I used readymix tile cement - it might be marginally more expensive, but I found it much easier to use than the powdered stuff & had no problems with it setting too quickly. Also, another shout out for the tile levelling systems - they are very useful. 

plumb1_2

bolwin1 said:

I used readymix tile cement - it might be marginally more expensive, but I found it much easier to use than the powdered stuff & had no problems with it setting too quickly. Also, another shout out for the tile levelling systems - they are very useful. 

I wouldn’t use readymix with porcelain tiles.