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Ceramic tile & liquid nails

| Posted in Construction Techniques on February 11, 2004 05:55am

Hey Jeff, you listening?  I need to install some thin ceramic tile sections around the edge of an undermount sink.  The tile is simply an outside corner, about 1/2″ x 6″, that will be used to transition from the counter tiles to the plane of the sink flange, and will cover the edge of the hardiebacker.  I couldn’t find exactly what I needed, so I boight mud caps and cutt off the part that wasn’t needed.  Kinda small tiles to be working with, and I want to leave a slight gap between the tile and the stainless flange so I can caulk.  I have already caulked the sink flange to the hardiebacker.  I’m going to shim the tile off the flange with a popsicle stick to maintain an even gap and to be sure the tiles don’t slip down.

So, I’m thinking about setting the coves with a couple of blobs of liquid nails, then grout the tile-tile joints and caulk the tile-sink joint.  Bad idea?

 

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell’em “Certainly, I can!”  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

The craftsman formerly known as elCid

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Replies

  1. davidmeiland | Feb 11, 2004 06:07am | #1

    Why not just use thinset? It's totally waterproof. Liquid nails is a subfloor adhesive and is not designed for wet applications like that. It might stick for a year or two but not forever.

    1. FastEddie1 | Feb 11, 2004 03:41pm | #3

      I am concerned that trying to use thinset on such a thin piece of tile might make it hard to do a clean job.  Well, guess I can always try and scrape out the excesss thinset.  Calvin, my files don't go back that far, but I do have his book, I'll see if there is a reference in there.

      Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

      The craftsman formerly known as elCid

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Feb 12, 2004 02:37am | #4

        get ya some lexel..done deal.

        View Image

        Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

        1. rasconc | Feb 12, 2004 06:33pm | #13

          Have you tried Duo-Sil or white lightning?  Both are adhesives caulks.  The Duo-Sil is a urethane acrylic sealant and adhesive.  While White L. is elastomeric adhesive caulk of acrylic latex with silicone.  I have never had anything come off on it's own accord using either.

          1. User avater
            Sphere | Feb 13, 2004 01:24am | #14

            Yup..and phenoseal is real good too..used to install Kitchens and baths for a design center..they'd supply me with 12 tubes of phenoseal a DAY..that was over ten yrs ago, and a tube still pops up every now and then..I'm hooked on lexel tho' that stuff is SOOOOO good..I put it on everything 'cept my sammich.<G>

            When I could not find it here in KY, I had a buddy send me ten tubes from NC. That'll last till my next trip down there.

            View Image

            Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

            Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations. 

      2. calvin | Feb 12, 2004 02:46am | #5

        Prince goes back to his name and you change yours.  Amazing.

        There's a couple good pics on the exact edge you're talking about.  I you can't find it in the book, lemme know, I might be able to copy and send the file.

        Sysop Mark once said you could buy back issue articles, check with him.  Where's he been anyway?  Quiet guy.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        Quittin' Time

  2. calvin | Feb 11, 2004 07:39am | #2

    ed, check out byrne's article in issue 25 - Tiling Countertops.  Nice detail on what you want.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

  3. User avater
    JeffBuck | Feb 12, 2004 03:56am | #6

    not that I'd ever admit this in public ...

    but I kinda/sorta know for an absolute fact that Pl will indeed stick down a troublesome piece of tile ... late on a Fri afternoon .... on a service call ...

    for a company that shall remain nameless .....

    It had a heavy .. bright .. ceramic coating ... had no qualms about the adhesive bleeding thru ...

    They were real picky customers ... this was about 4 yrs ago ... haven't heard a peep back! Must still be stuck.

    Here's a "pro" tip ... if the trowel is already packed deep in the van(and the fact you don't want adhesive smeared all over it) ... you can cut a pretty convincing notch pattern into the thin end of a shim with a sharp utility knife!

    Not that I'd condone such behavior.

    Jeff

    Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

         Artistry in Carpentry                

    1. FastEddie1 | Feb 12, 2004 07:12am | #7

      Not that I'd condone such behavior.  I guess this is one of those stories you heard at the coffee bar...Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

      The craftsman formerly known as elCid

    2. andybuildz | Feb 12, 2004 02:59pm | #8

      Jeffrey

              I've never admitted to doing such a thing either.

      Kinda funny....There was a call back I went to.

      Customer said she accidently cracked a tile on the wall I installed trying to install a toothbrush holder herself. Said her DH reinstalled a new one I had left... but it felt shakey.

      I came over and removed it.

      He used elmers glue.

      It actually held but as she said.it was shakey.

      I reinstalled it with 100% silicone.....did I just say that?

      HEy that was three years ago and its still intact.

      BE a butcher???????

                    andyMy life is my practice!

      http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

      1. User avater
        JeffBuck | Feb 12, 2004 05:38pm | #9

        Yup .. 100% silicone ....

        heard that stuff will work ... especially with lighter colored tiles ....

        no brown bleed thru.

        Nice thing about silicone ... you can tell how "good" it is by smelling it ...

        The more if burns your nose hairs off ... the stronger it'll hold.

        Jeff

        Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

             Artistry in Carpentry                

    3. User avater
      jonblakemore | Feb 12, 2004 05:49pm | #10

      Now that Jeff and Andy are sharing stories of things they didn't do...

      I also happen to know that if you have to repair some marble tile, 2x2x1", and you don't happen to have thinset or mortar in the van, you can get yourself into trouble. 

      Let's say a few blobs were put down, on a dirty substrate of course.  Only enough to hold until you can come back and use thinset?

      Yeah, and it will also hold enough to break one those suction cup they sell to lift tile and glass... 

      Jon Blakemore

      1. User avater
        JeffBuck | Feb 12, 2004 05:55pm | #11

        "temporary", huh?

        JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

             Artistry in Carpentry                

      2. sungod | Feb 12, 2004 05:56pm | #12

        If you use liquid nails or silicon on the sink trim, then I recommend using silicon for the adjacent grout lines too.

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