Going from BAL to Mapei

[Benny Tiler]

Hi All

After reading many very positive things on here about mapei products I'm thinking about using them instead of BAL.

Having looked on their website, I'm not sure which products I would need though. i.e. Where as I use a single part flexible on walls, should I be getting the Keraflex or the Keraflex maxi? Which do you guys tend to use?

Also, where I would normally use the fastflex 2 part flexible on a floor overlaid with 12mm ply, would that be mapei's granirapid?

Thanks
Ben

 

[Dan]

Checkout MAPEI - PDF Flip Pages

and MAPEI - PDF Flip Pages

Though I'm sure you'll get some of the guys clued up on Mapei respond.

I shifted from BAL to Mapei (though don't tile much at all, just friends and family) and I quickly got used to it and do prefer it price-wise as it's drastically cheaper and I'd dare say it could be better? - That said BAL is good. It's just a shame it's so expensive generally.

Obviously if you ever need to get advice quickly, Mapei's Technical Helpline is very quick and the guys are spot on. I know some time ago the BAL techline was very very busy and some guys struggled to get through quickly. Though I think they may have sorted that problem out, whatever it was.

 

[Benny Tiler]

Thanks Dan.

I have no complaints with BAL's products either - just the cost of them. It'd be great if I could bring the materials costs down with out sacrificing on quality.

Ben

 

[hillhead]

Hi Benny,i personally use the keraflex maxi on the walls as it can be beefed out well in places where needed.
On plywood i would use the keraquick with latex mix,great stuff.
I love the mapei stuff so the best of luck with it and use the grouts wisely ie not too much water and after initial mix let sit for 3 mins or so and remix,i do this with all the mapei adhesives and grouts.

 

[dock]

Benny Tiler

If you need any advice on alternative products give us a call in technical 0121 508 6970 option 2. Imperative that you get the correct alternative lest you overspec. or worse under cook it

Welcome aboard

dock

 

[DJT75]

As a newbie around these parts I've noticed that everyone tends to consider BAL very good, but very expensive.

What sort of price would you consider cheap for any particular adhesive/
The discounts being offered to me through ToppsTiles trade discount for BAL are nearly as cheap as their own brand stuff?

 

[Dan]

As a newbie around these parts I've noticed that everyone tends to consider BAL very good, but very expensive.

What sort of price would you consider cheap for any particular adhesive/
The discounts being offered to me through ToppsTiles trade discount for BAL are nearly as cheap as their own brand stuff?

We can't quote trade prices in the main forums. Get access to the tilersforums arms and there's a whole pricing forum for the professionals to use.

 

[DJT75]

We can't quote trade prices in the main forums. Get access to the tilersforums arms and there's a whole pricing forum for the professionals to use.

😳, sorry, thanks for the heads up/removal - makes sense to keep certain things under wraps.

cheers

 

[Dan]

Not to worry mate, it gets done every day lol

We have exclusive Mapei prices from Tile Giant if you're a regular here and in the Arms. And you wont believe how cheap they're offering the gear for us. Brilliant sponsors and thanks to Mapei and Tile Giant for this.

 

[david campbell]

i've atarted using mapei more frequently also,as much as i like bal products,mapei is much cheaper and has a more varied range,though if i was to use tubbed gear it would only be bal's white star

 

[Matt]

i've atarted using mapei more frequently also,as much as i like bal products,mapei is much cheaper and has a more varied range,though if i was to use tubbed gear it would only be bal's white star

You should try Mapei's Mapegrip Plus

 

[Rad2474]

I've just been using mapegrip on a kitchen wall,but like a lot of people on here i'm starting to use P9 more often.

 

[DHTiling]

P9 is an excellent single part flex and great for wall tiling...But follow Doc's advice if unsure and ring technical...those guys really know thier stuff...

 

[david campbell]

You should try Mapei's Mapegrip Plus

will do

 

[White Room]

No local supplier down my way:ninja:

 

[Spud]

No local supplier down my way:ninja:

apex grange will deliver it they are pretty good on price and fairly local ,speak to lee he seems to give the best deals

 

[White Room]

Bought some P9 from them £16 a bag, bit steep but good stuff to use. They did have good selection of materials though Gary

 

[dock]

Whitebeam

Contact our customer services department on 0121 508 6970 option 1

I am sure we could sort you something out

Dock

 

[bigregrout]

hi benny friend

its good you change from bal. my friend Dmitri he say that should be calld DTA. dick turpin adhesives. he laugh and say to much expesnive. all money is marketing and show. other company make just as good for lot less money.

 

[beanz]

Do you guys manage to use Mapei products without the use of scales (I can't be bothered to weight stuff out)? I've only used a Mapei grout once, and found it very hard to get the right consistency.. Very unforgiving, and worse than Bal for effloressence if you get it wrong. Like i said though, i've only used it once, so maybe just need a few more outings with it!?!

 

[DHTiling]

Do you guys manage to use Mapei products without the use of scales (I can't be bothered to weight stuff out)? I've only used a Mapei grout once, and found it very hard to get the right consistency.. Very unforgiving, and worse than Bal for effloressence if you get it wrong. Like i said though, i've only used it once, so maybe just need a few more outings with it!?!

Do you know how to recognise efflorescence..?

 

[beanz]

In dark grouts, isn't it where it turns white? Not sure how it would look in white grout, i imagine it would look patchy!?!

 

[DHTiling]

It is mainly the migration of salts....this builds up on th surface...the main cause of whitening or patchy grouts is user error...this ranges from too much wetting of the grout when washing off or incorrect mixing of the grout but saying that some grouts are more prone to patching than others even with the slightest over over wetting etc.

The amount of water at the mixing stage is crucial with grouts and getting this wrong can contribute...

So it can't always to put down to efflorescence..


A useful read for members wondering what efflorescence is.. What is Efflorescence.pdf (application/pdf Object)

 

[beanz]

Interesting read Dave, cheers. 😉

I'm aware that the amount of water at the mixing stage is crucial, which is why i asked if you guys actually weigh/measure it out? Like i said, i've found the Mapei grout to be less forgiving, as i've mixed it to the same consistency that i use with Granfix grouts with no problems, and it's looked patchy/discoloured. I've heard similar things said about the BAL Anti-bacterial grout (can't remember the exact name), but haven't used that yet.
A friend of mine, who's been tiling for 20 odd years, said he's noticed it a lot lately with the new grouts.

 

[DHTiling]

Mapei ultra colour needs between 1 ltr and 1.3 ltrs of water to a 5kg bag...

If you have a look in the adhesive/grout forum,,there is a sticky thread with the exact mixing instructions and method for cleaning off for it..

I use it a lot now and never have probs....but must be mixed correctly.

 

[DHTiling]

Anybody else made the switch..?

 

[The D]

try this instead of the fast flex. S2quick is the dogs.

 

[The D]

also for a tubed adhesive i believe that this is the best you can get and makes white star look Grey http://www.mapei.com/public/GB/products/2703_ultramasticIIIsuperwhite_gb.pdf