Tile Adhesive and Grout Advice - Part 2
THE TILE SOURCE
tips and hints
| Return to Tile Adhesive and Grout - Part 1 Epoxy Tile Adhesives Epoxy tile adhesives are usually used commercially in chemically harsh environments. Occasionally, in a domestic location, an epoxy adhesive may be required for glass tiles with a coating on the back, some of which are sensitive to the moisture in other adhesives. Cement Based Tile Grouts  Cement tile grouts are available in a range of colours and with a number of enhancements. Polymer modified tile grouts (with the polymer incorporated in the mix or added in solution) provide enhanced adhesion, flexibility, strength and water repellence. Anti bacterial additives like BAL’s Microban® range provide resistance to mould growth. It is considered good practise to only use polymer modified grouts to combat drying shrinkage cracks and for enhanced adhesion to porcelain and glass tiles. Ready Mixed Tile Grouts This type of tile grout is ideal if you only have a small amount of work to do. Generally disliked by professional tilers as it sets quickly which means you have to work in small areas, that slows the grout process. Some of these types of tile grout are waterproof, such as BAL Supergrout which makes them ideal for domestic power showers. Epoxy Tile Grouts Not often used in domestic situations, this type of tile grout is the ultimate grout being waterproof, strong, has a degree of flexibility and is chemically resistant to a wide range of materials. |
Generally these tile grouts are now only used commercially in food production facilities, public swimming pools and chemical processing plants. If using epoxy tile grouts be careful to follow all health and safety advice as allergic reactions can occur. Care must be taken during cleaning to clean residues and it is important to work in small areas as it is harder to clean then other grouts. If new to epoxy tile grouts spend time working out how you will clean off the tiles. Priming To prime or not to prime, there is not a short answer as priming is essential with certain adhesives going onto certain surfaces. Priming when not required or with the incorrect primer may do more harm than good. Refer to the manufacturers technical links below. Smoothing and Levelling Compounds Smoothing compounds are used to repair small holes, create small ramps between different floor heights, cover underfloor heating matting, to smooth away small undulations in floors or even to cover old inert adhesive residues. They are usually a cement based powder and latex liquid additive that can be applied up to 6mm thick. Levelling compounds are normally powder water mixes that are poured or pumped in thicknesses of over 5mm, but are unsuitable for timber and un-absorbent surfaces. For more technical details download the System Ardex catalogue. There are other specific tile adhesive and grouting tips if you are needing to waterproof surfaces or create a wet room. Schluter and Marmox tile backer boards also provide alternative solutions for a number of common problems. Also consider tile adhesive issues if installing underfloor heating. For more detailed tile preparation guides download our main adhesive partners - Ardex PDF Brochure or BAL PDF Brochure. Now you are ready to move on to How to Tile! |
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