Keeping Things Clean with Dried in Powdered Adhesive

[Weebisto]

Hi all, I am relatively new to tiling professionally but thoroughly enjoying it so forgive me if this seems like a strange request for help. What I am finding when using powdered adhesive is that even when I only mix a small amount at a time because of its limited bucket life I am going through buckets like nobody's business as the remnants are going hard at the bottom and around the sides. The same is happening with my trowel. I know buckets aren't exactly expensive but trowels are and every penny is a prisoner - I can't help but think that I am doing something wrong. Any suggestions from you experienced guys would be appreciated. Ta

 

[WetSaw]

Have a bucket of clean water and a sponge handy to clean your tools every now and then. Unless you're using fast set you shouldn't be having trouble washing your buckets out if you're only mixing small amounts.

 

[Spare Tool]

Use a standard/slow set adhesive, only need to give buckets and trowels a clean once at lunchtime and once at the end of the day. Exactly same spec as an S1 rapidspf it just sets slower

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If the above doesn’t help - work quicker!

 

[Weebisto]

Have a bucket of clean water and a sponge handy to clean your tools every now and then. Unless you're using fast set you shouldn't be having trouble washing your buckets out if you're only mixing small amounts.

Good tip - thanks a lot

 

[Weebisto]

Use a standard/slow set adhesive, only need to give buckets and trowels a clean once at lunchtime and once at the end of the day. Exactly same spec as an S1 rapidspf it just sets slower

Thanks a lot for that - it has been quick setting adhesive I have been using so will switch products

 

[Weebisto]

If the above doesn’t help - work quicker!

lol yeah there's probably something in that!

 

[Rookery]

Unless I specifically need to get onto a floor I'm doing quickly, in which case I'd use a rapid set, I would always use a standard set adhesive and it would be Mapei Adesilex P9. It sticks ceramic, porcelain and stone, a good grab and a pot life of just about all day. It's a good product at a good price so little wastage.

 

[Weebisto]

thanks buddy, appreciate the reply

 

[Time's Ran Out]

What you have to think about with slow set - in the winter it will take longer to set than in summer, and you have to watch for shrinkage when it dries ( those lips weren’t there when you tiled it)!

 

[Weebisto]

What you have to think about with slow set - in the winter it will take longer to set than in summer, and you have to watch for shrinkage when it dries ( those lips weren’t there when you tiled it)!

 

[Weebisto]

thanks that's uselul

 

[Flintstone]

Semi rapid is my favourite for most situations

 

[Andy Allen]

I use rapid on every floor I do....
Always clean bucket and trowel between every mix.

 

[Flintstone]

Give your self a break Andy! If it doesn’t need to be walked on quickly, why use rapid ?

 

[Andy Allen]

Can almost guarantee someone will walk on it..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

I’am 100% fast set on floors as well.

 

[Flintstone]

I always used to be. But since semi rapid came out, it’s great!

 

[Tommythetiler80]

Another great little tip for cleaning your whisk /paddle is to fill a bucket half full with some all in ballast or sharp sand and some small stones add a little water and give it a spin your whisk should come up nice n shining.

 

[JASON]

I’ve never used standard set. I just give the trowels and scrapers a wipe when Im done cleaning the tiles down

 

[Andy Allen]

Another great little tip for cleaning your whisk /paddle is to fill a bucket half full with some all in ballast or sharp sand and some small stones add a little water and give it a spin your whisk should come up nice n shining.

Great tip !!
I do similar, but chuck 2 or 3 old sponges in water to clean the whisk between mix.

 

[Andy Allen]

I always used to be. But since semi rapid came out, it’s great!

I can semi guarantee someone will walk on it...

 

[Weebisto]

Guys, what is a decent semi rapid set adhesive product? Ideally BAL or Mapei

 

[Tommythetiler80]

Tilemaster products get my vote