Floor tiles not staying put

[Future Scarlet]

Hello, sorry this is my first post and I haven't even said hi yet. Terrible, but its a matter of sanity on my behalf that I ask the following please.

I have been hunting about for answers to do with tiling but its all abit mish mash and I could do with just getting a straight answer.

Basically I'm tiling my hallway and bathroom at the same time. They join. I got 33cm ceramic tiles from Homebase and got the ready mixed sticky stuff. Got on with it, all was fine.

However, some of the tiles are now coming loose. Its been three days since they were put down and they are literally just lose, so lose they just lift off. The sticky stuff if on the floor, not on the back of the tile. And its been really hard trying to get the almost solid sticky stuff off the floor so I am able to fix it again.

To be quite honest its driving me nuts.

Can I ask, what is recommended to stick them down with? Maybe I have gone wrong there. I went for Homebase waterproof adhesive and grout (blue and black pot). I had been using it in the bathroom to do wall tiles.

Or any idea what is going wrong here? Please.
Thankyouverymuch

[ultimatehandyman]

Hi and welcome.

You have to use flexible adhesive if you are fixing to floorboards.

Are you fixing to floorboards or a solid floor?

[Future Scarlet]

Boards.

Funny you should say that too as I have just had a jolly good rant at the man (poor hubby), not that it is his fault, I just needed to vent. But I did just say I wonder if the adhesive is not flexible. GAH.

So is that really the problem? I've gone and used the wrong stuff? Does that mean they are all going to start popping off?

And thanks for replying

[ultimatehandyman]

Yes, that is the problem.

You have to use a flexible adhesive for wooden floors. You also have to be careful as some floors cannot be tiled onto directly without first strengthening the floor, although some adhesive manufacturers now claim that you can- floor tiling

The other tiles will probably also come loose eventually.

You also have to make sure that you don't use PVA.

[tictic]

hi
firstly the "tubbed"adhesive you have used is NO good for floor tiling...sorry.

secure exsisting floor to joists "screws" not nails and you should have no deflection.

then you overboarded the exsisting floor with either min 12mm wbp ply prime underside and edges with acyrllic primer or use 6mm backerboards.

then to fix tiles you will need a cement based flexible adhesive and flexible grout all comes in "bags", not an all in one tub s***

[Future Scarlet]

Oh deary deary deary me.

I have really made a big mistake and really have a really big problem now. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear.

Excuse me while I imprint the desk onto my forehead.

So, really I need to get them up asap. And START AGAIN.

Anyone know of any Tile fairy godmothers that could come wave the magic wand while I sit back with a cup of tea.

I've had flu all week and still been busy, and my nails are shot to bits

Sometimes I do wonder while I feel the need to be so independent.

Well, thank you a lot for the help. At least I now know what is wrong. I just need to put it right and rob a bank.

[royaloakcarpentry]

Hmmmmm I picked up on the words.....hubby, tiling, wrong adhesive, flu all week.

its your husbands fault.....whats he doing getting you tiling when you are ill. Mind you, must be a northern thing lol.

yes tiles have to come up. Screw floorboards and you can put detra mat onto floor and then tile. No need to raise the level with 18mm of ply. Detra is fine, I have used it with no problems and they love it in germany and the states.

You need a powdered flexi adhesive. bal from topps. bit dear but Topps are like immigrants....every town has one lol.

[Future Scarlet]

Tooshay.

But on the contrary, hubby has been working his behind off too. So he cannot be blamed for this one. Not really. I'm too stubborn see, I was determined. The house has had a massive overhaul of late and quite frankly I just want it back to normal, flu or not.

Anyway, have decided that this week can be a time of ignoring the tiles, as its half term. I will deal with this big issue as and when it shouts at me, or the week after next if nothing happens until then.

Cheers for the tips. Haps I should have asked before hand. Doh.

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

hi
then to fix tiles you will need a cement based flexible adhesive and flexible grout all comes in "bags", not an all in one tub s***

Not quite true. Mapei do a flexible ready mixed tile adhesive (sold in Screwfix) in 7.5kg tubs. Loads easier to use than overpriced useless crap like PCI Timberflex.

Personally I find most of the cementious / polymer mix it up jobs are a pain in the backside, as if you mix it all up together it'll set on you, if you don't getting the ratios right is practically impossible.

[DIY_Johnny]

hi
then to fix tiles you will need a cement based flexible adhesive and flexible grout all comes in "bags", not an all in one tub s***

Personally I find most of the cementious / polymer mix it up jobs are a pain in the backside, as if you mix it all up together it'll set on you, if you don't getting the ratios right is practically impossible.

I'm surprised!
I found it pretty simple using the bagged stuff and it was the first time I did it. I would recommend buying a couple ofn cheap bucket (£1 each in wickes) and paddle (£6 from screwfix) and a bag of flexible adhesive.

You can get the bagged flexible in B&Q, topps tiles, or any builders providers. Personally I don't like the rapid set, the normal set in my opinion is much better for a DIYer (unless you need to walk on the floor soon afterwards. You can mix up less with a rapidset of course but there is the hassle of cleaning out tools etc Also allowed me to cut tiles as I went.

as for mixing quantities, I never measured it, just mix it till it looks right and away you go. I did a 1/3 of a bucket at a time

I used wickes floor tiles, and Mapei bagged S1 and the tiles were stuck hard. I know this because I had to take one or 2 up a few weeks later and it was not easy!

[Future Scarlet]

Hmmm

I have a slight problem in all this. I only have a Homebase close by and nowhere else. Nearest B&Q is an hour away, no idea about Wickes, no doubt the same etc etc.

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

Hmmm

I have a slight problem in all this. I only have a Homebase close by and nowhere else. Nearest B&Q is an hour away, no idea about Wickes, no doubt the same etc etc.

Screwfix online is your friend then. ;)

[Future Scarlet]

Hmmm

I have a slight problem in all this. I only have a Homebase close by and nowhere else. Nearest B&Q is an hour away, no idea about Wickes, no doubt the same etc etc.

Screwfix online is your friend then. ;)

Thankyouverymuch

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

hi
then to fix tiles you will need a cement based flexible adhesive and flexible grout all comes in "bags", not an all in one tub s***

Personally I find most of the cementious / polymer mix it up jobs are a pain in the backside, as if you mix it all up together it'll set on you, if you don't getting the ratios right is practically impossible.

I'm surprised!
I found it pretty simple using the bagged stuff and it was the first time I did it. I would recommend buying a couple ofn cheap bucket (£1 each in wickes) and paddle (£6 from screwfix) and a bag of flexible adhesive.

You can get the bagged flexible in B&Q, topps tiles, or any builders providers. Personally I don't like the rapid set, the normal set in my opinion is much better for a DIYer (unless you need to walk on the floor soon afterwards. You can mix up less with a rapidset of course but there is the hassle of cleaning out tools etc Also allowed me to cut tiles as I went.

as for mixing quantities, I never measured it, just mix it till it looks right and away you go. I did a 1/3 of a bucket at a time

I used wickes floor tiles, and Mapei bagged S1 and the tiles were stuck hard. I know this because I had to take one or 2 up a few weeks later and it was not easy!

I agree with you, rapid set is a complete pain unless you are an experienced tiler, or if tiling is all you do all day long. As a multi-trades person I don't do enough floor tiling to get into the rythm of it.

And if you were using a Mapei product I'm not suprised you found it easy. Everything I've used from them does seem to be exceptionally good.

[DIY_Johnny]

anysort of 'rapid' in the title I steer well clear from.

I am nearly sure Homebase do bagged adhesive, just don't get that adhesive&grout all in one.

Also there are lots of online swtores do del;iver of bagged products. I got all my bal stuff from Trades Direct

You pay £8 for delivery sop best get everythig together