What is the best compound for attaching tiles to a mud base in a shower? Is it mastic, thin set, etc?
FYI; All other aspects of the work have been completed i.e. PVC membrane, sloped sub floor, mud base, etc.
What is the best compound for attaching tiles to a mud base in a shower? Is it mastic, thin set, etc?
FYI; All other aspects of the work have been completed i.e. PVC membrane, sloped sub floor, mud base, etc.
The most common way to make your own parging mix is to use either Type S mortar for block or Type N for brick and add a concrete bonding additive.
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Replies
Thinset, and only thinset. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES USE MASTIC.
The stuff is latex and will not cure, especially in a wet environment. It will turn to mush.
Use a good quality thinset, about $15 a bag. I use Custom's Versabond.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Boris; thank you so much for that quick and definitive answer. Mike
I'm curious how you got this far along and are asking that question now?
Eric
The smart@ss answer:
and then there is the grout...
and the sealer...
serious:
Thinset, What do the pro's think about using the acrilic additive instead of water in the thinset?
Grout, same question.
Sealer, I heard of a Silicon based product for this, all I can find is oi6l based and water based stuff.
We only use the thinset with the polymer additive. You can get it premixed or as a dry thinset with the "milk" jug purchased sepatately. This will cost $30 - $40 per bag or bag and jug. The additives are well worth the extra expense.
Same goes for grout.
Silicone based sealers are best. The silicone molecule is smaller than the oil molecule and therefore penetrates deeper rather than resting on the stone or grout surface.
F.
Its a waste of money and stupid to combine product lines, as you may void your warranty, and you never know how two different products will react.
Single source your product line, e.g., use Custom, Laticrete, or Mapei, pick'em. Single sourcing is really the only way to go, as it insures product compatability. Read and follow verbatim the instructions on the label for each product and hit their web site for additional data, and print it out and follow those guidelines, too. If you have questions, ask the tech service guys at the help center for the product line you have chosen. If they recommend adding additives (I call it "milk") then fine and dandy, and use their additive, not another companies.
I will tell you that if you ask, they will tell you not to add any additives to thinset. If want the additives, pick a thinset with the additives already in the bag and follow their instructions. You just don't know how the Custom's thinset will react when you add a Laticrete acrylic additive to the mix in the bucket. If the thinset fails, I will guaranty you each company will blame the other.
Same answer for grout.
Same answer for sealer, but don't use silicone, use a penetrating sealer like Aquamix.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934