tile keeps slipping!

finest1 · Apr 2, 2023

hi all

i was attempting to install the tiles today on the wall. if you look at the photo, i started at the pipe work as that was the most intricate. problem is, it kept slipping an inch, very frustrating. in the end i gave up and manged to save the adhesive (ready mix) I'm betting its something simple I've overlooked. how do i stop it slipping?

thanks

Deleted member 120897 · Apr 2, 2023

Wall doesn’t look like it’s prepped correctly and reckon tiles could not stick altogether anyway. If you’re tiling an unsupported tile then usually a timber batten fixed to the wall to keep them in place until you’re ready for the next course.

finest1 · Apr 2, 2023

ChrisB1982 said:
Wall doesn’t look like it’s prepped correctly and reckon tiles could not stick altogether anyway. If you’re tiling an unsupported tile then usually a timber batten fixed to the wall to keep them in place until you’re ready for the next course.

thanks for your response. what prep would you add? i would have liked to add a tile backer board, but 6mm is too thick and by the time i add adhesive, the tiles would be proud against the rest of the existing tiles

SimonG · Apr 2, 2023

Bin the ready mixed and get bagged adhesive.

Deleted member 120897 · Apr 2, 2023

finest1 said:
thanks for your response. what prep would you add? i would have liked to add a tile backer board, but 6mm is too thick and by the time i add adhesive, the tiles would be proud against the rest of the existing tiles

Would have thought at least a skim layer with a pva layer afterwards?

ShaunCorbs · Apr 2, 2023

Slipping your working from the bottom up arnt you with spacers etc and enough addy ?

Deleted member 120897 · Apr 2, 2023

ShaunCorbs said:
Slipping your working from the bottom up arnt you with spacers etc and enough addy ?

Hard to tell from photo, but OP states started around the pipework, unless it’s a repair job?

finest1 · Apr 2, 2023

ShaunCorbs said:
Slipping your working from the bottom up arnt you with spacers etc and enough addy ?

hi Shaun, no i wanted to tile around the pipe work first, as that is the intricate part. once i had got that done, it would set up the rest nicely....well, thats what i thought..

plumbingservices · Apr 3, 2023

Seems like the wall is not well-prepped.
First, use a flat scrap of wood to even and smoothen out the surface and let this dry for a few hours or overnight. Once the cement is dry, apply the bonding agent that should give the surface a rough texture to ensure vertical tiles don't slide as you work.

finest1 · Apr 4, 2023

hi all, thanks for above. i have roughly 20mm to fill (the tile is 5mm thickness leaving 15mm) i can't get hold of 4mm tile backerboards. taking in the advice above, i was thinking of adding thickness to the wall using rapid set cement mix. what is the maximum thickness of adhesive to use? based on sundays attempt it seems like a lot of adhesive to use, unless that doesn't matter.

what do you think?

king of pipes · Apr 4, 2023

You need to get some tile backer board I'm afraid to build out the wall 10 mm is the maximum for adhesive, ready mixed is not suitable you need flexible bagged tile adhesive , and tile from the tray upwards or you'll be fighting it all the way.

finest1 · Apr 4, 2023

king of pipes said:
You need to get some tile backer board I'm afraid to build out the wall 10 mm is the maximum for adhesive, ready mixed is not suitable you need flexible bagged tile adhesive , and tile from the tray upwards or you'll be fighting it all the way.

thanks for your response. i can't use tile backer boards. the one i had was 6mm. by the time i put the adhesive on, the tiles would stand proud. i can't find any 4mm near me, hence i thought i could skim the wall and add some mm's to it. nice tiling!

ShaunCorbs · Apr 4, 2023

You could skim it in tile addy and let that dry first eg half the gap / distance

finest1 · Apr 4, 2023

ShaunCorbs said:
You could skim it in tile addy and let that dry first eg half the gap / distance

hi Shaun, what is the difference if i just use tile adhesive to fill the MM's added the tile and used the batten approach vs your approach? does your approach create a stronger foundation?

ShaunCorbs · Apr 4, 2023

Depends I’m guessing your using pre mixed addy which takes ages to dry if it thick hence why splitting into two etc

Wouldn’t need a batton just work from the bottom up and use spacers

king of pipes · Apr 5, 2023

If you really want to tile onto that prime the area first and add a skim of tile adhesive as you would plaster let that dry first before attempting to finish the project, working from the bottom using spacers allow it to dry before grouting and finally siliconing up . Kop

king of pipes · Apr 5, 2023

finest1 said:
hi Shaun, what is the difference if i just use tile adhesive to fill the MM's added the tile and used the batten approach vs your approach? does your approach create a stronger foundation?

Yes it is and drying time is quicker premixed adhesive does not dry very quickly and you will trap that moisture in the wall causing possible failure, use bagged flexible adhesive and follow the directions on the bag drying time is very important for a successful job . Kop

SimonG · Apr 5, 2023

To be fair, with bagged adhesive and an sbr primer, it should have been done by now.

finest1 · Apr 5, 2023

thanks guys i will use bagged adhesive. i'm finishing work early tomorrow, will pick some up and make a start.

yes the wall was already primed with SBR

should i get the rapid set adhesive, or it does not matter too much?

with bagged adhesive should i still follow Shaun's advice of creating a skim layer first? if so, how long should i leave to dry out before tiling? overnight? 24 hours?

Ben-gee · Apr 6, 2023

Ultratile pink bag is a good adhesive and in fact it can be used up to 20mm thick, so that should solve your problem.

Although if you have 10 mm to make up, I would screw 6mm backer boards and then use 4mm adhesive- a much better job.

king of pipes · Apr 6, 2023

As advised previously follow directions on the bag I don't like rapid set it cures far to quickly skim it out in the evening and you can fit the tile the next day allow time for setting before grouting up 24 hours at least 😉👍 kop

gmartine · Apr 6, 2023

finest1 said:
hi Shaun, no i wanted to tile around the pipe work first, as that is the intricate part. once i had got that done, it would set up the rest nicely....well, thats what i thought..

Irrespective of what you need to fill and level up the wall you need to start from the bottom and work up. It's only appears to be two tile widths so with enough care when you batton the base tile you shouldn't go too far wrong.

finest1 · Apr 7, 2023

hi all, i wanted to give you an update. i've skimmed the wall with tile adhesive. im using Mapei fast set adhesive.

thing is when i mixed it according to the instructions, it was runny, which i thickened up with more adhesive. it looked like cement mix, is spread nicely on the wall though, smooth. looking ahead, what should the consistency be for sticking the tiles. i thought it would be more thicker and and creamier

thanks

ShaunCorbs · Apr 7, 2023

Around double cream consistency tbh it’s upto you some like it stiffer for walls than floors etc

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