Jobs that have gone wrong, massively..

[Phil]

To be fair though system when I went back to that bathroom (3 days to sort out unpaid) I lifted the eight cracked tiles which was a job in itself and discovered that the board edges were not screwed down enough as the screws were too wide apart. I could put a screwdriver in the gap (always leave 3mm expansion gap) and I could lift the board a little.

I was kicking myself as I normally screw them down at least say 60mm centers on the edges to make sure they don't move. Why didn't I do that here? As said customer was unfriendly and rushing me so in my stessed state I got careless, also the floor for me is the last job really in this case the last of a very hard long job.

I've seen floors tiled on 6mm ply and after 10 years there's not a single crack or loose tile. At home years ago (before I knew better) I tiled on chipboard in the bathroom, kitchen and conservatory and they are still solid as a rock.

On the other hand I was in a 14k wetroom last night, 3 years old and floor tiles were loose and felt 'gritty' under foot, grout cracked on floor etc, who knows why that failed.

All I know is, doing it my new method of 18mm ply on joists with 6mm cement boards on top is absolute belt and braces and will last years and years with no comeback. It also helps with the door threshold height as its only 6mm higher + adhesive + tile rather than 12mm.

 

[Phil]

Did you use tubbed adhesive varial? if you did that is your problem (and the PVA), don't forget ready mixed adhesive is water based and dries only by evaporating through the grout lines, powered adhesive is cement based and will set under water and is all I use.

Thats why tubbed gear cant be used on large format tiles as two years down the line the adhesive in the middle is still wet.

 

[double d]

Ive had the same problem, and know of another who has had this problem, i put it down to pva, ive been using a decnt tile primer now for a couple of years and touch wood no problem what so ever, but like every one has said dont panic we all make mistakes in life, even the best workman will have a balls up one day, so chin up :icon12:

 

[Destroyer2813]

What primers is everybody using now used to use webber two part but cant get it anymore

 

[paul78]

I basically tiled onto some plywood after sealing it with PVA, Some cracks have appeared in the grout which let water leak behind.

thats exactly why its failed!
ply floors:yes walls:no
pva BIG NO NO, you could get shot for using that if a tiler is present.

lessons learnt from mistakes being made, by you, me, and everyone else.

if in any doubt before any tiling job in future do plenty of research on the tilersforum.
laying tiles is easy if you got an eye for detail but its all about the prep, ie. primers, adhesives, grouts, weight ratios per m2 for certain types of wall if tiles are large format. imagine trying to lay natural stone on a lovely skimmed wall and not understanding the potential pitfalls.......

 

[Phil]

Any decent tile shop should sell primer, my local one sells Ultra and I also use adhesive of the same brand. Its an acrylic primer and flexible additive in one and is dulited the same as PVA. Its a tenner for a 2 litre bottle and it lasts ages.

To anyone reading this thread, PVA is for plasterers only!

 

[paul78]

Any decent tile shop should sell primer, my local one sells Ultra and I also use adhesive of the same brand. Its an acrylic primer and flexible additive in one and is dulited the same as PVA. Its a tenner for a 2 litre bottle and it lasts ages.

To anyone reading this thread, PVA is for plasterers only!

I echo that!

and if any tile shop says pva is fine then run a mile.