Opinions needed

[tfs]

Hey folks,

Ive been looking in on the forum every now and then forthe last few months.

I am now in a position where Ii need some advice. I have my first few floors to tile soon. My client has decided that he wants to purchase Unibond tile and grout tubs from B&Q.

i ADVISED HIM TO BUY TRADE PRODUCTS FROM A TILE RETAILER PREVIOUSLY.

Can you give me your opinion on the UNIBOND STUFF?

WILL I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO USE?

HOW CAN I TALK HOM OUT OF IT, AND SELL THE TRADE STUFF TO HI?

I am not a tiler but, hopefully a tiler in training. I am half way through a tiling course at college which, will last around a year. This is why my product knowledge is not great.

Any info would be welcomed and appreciated.

regards

Kris

 

[GazTech]

Unibond wall adhesive will stick ceramics...but it is more expensive for them to buy than trade tubs from tile suppliers.....Gaz

 

[tfs]

Thanks Gaz,

Would you be in a position to reccomend alternative brands?

I have approx 18 msq to lay and he wants to buy large porceline tiles.
----
also, I will be tiling a floor

 

[DHTiling]

Do not use tubbed gear on porcelain tiles..especially large ones....use a flexi powdered adhesive, and seen as you are new to tiling i would advise a slow setting one so you have plenty of time to work with it....BAL single part flexible or similar.....don't let the customer dictate what to use......

 

[GazTech]

Thanks Gaz,

Would you be in a position to reccomend alternative brands?

I have approx 18 msq to lay and he wants to buy large porceline tiles.
----
also, I will be tiling a floor

If they are large porcelain on walls...tubbed adhesive will not do ! it must be powdered stuff with porcel bond technology applied for the stuff to stick to tile....make sure the walls are in good condition to take the extra weight of tiles.....Gaz

 

[grumpygrouter]

Hey folks,

Ive been looking in on the forum every now and then forthe last few months.

I am now in a position where Ii need some advice. I have my first few floors to tile soon. My client has decided that he wants to purchase Unibond tile and grout tubs from B&Q.

i ADVISED HIM TO BUY TRADE PRODUCTS FROM A TILE RETAILER PREVIOUSLY.

Can you give me your opinion on the UNIBOND STUFF?

WILL I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO USE?

HOW CAN I TALK HOM OUT OF IT, AND SELL THE TRADE STUFF TO HI?

I am not a tiler but, hopefully a tiler in training. I am half way through a tiling course at college which, will last around a year. This is why my product knowledge is not great.

Any info would be welcomed and appreciated.

regards

Kris

Hello Kris, this is a bit from another post I made in another thread, this may give you the answer for your customer -

Sounds a bit like my first attempt at my kitchen floor before I became a "proper" tiler.

I used unibond stuff from B&Q straight onto chipboard. was only down a couple of years. I removed the tiles in less than an hour and litterally swept up the adhesive as it had pretty much turned to powder. Overall with the removal, good cleaning and reboarding with my 9mm ply -all pilot drilled at 200mm centres- i was ready to tile by the end of the day. 6hrs in total!

Funny now when I think of it. If only I had researched a bit before I dived in eh!

Since doing my training and contributing this to this forum, I never again will use "DIY" stuff for the likes of B&Q or Homebase....Ever Ever Ever!!!!

Grumpy

 

[tfs]

Hi Grumpy,

Was that not more likely to have been due to laying onto chipboard?

The mosit will get sucked right out as the chipboard would act like a sponge.

I am deffo a bit apprehensive about working with the Unibond, I will propbably try to talk him into using something else or offer to supply my own grout and adhesive

I still welcome much more commenets on this subject should anybody want to share thier views

regards

kris

 

[Fred]

Starting a job monday. 600x600 porcelain floor tiles. Got Mapei white rapid set flexi 20kg bags for 14 pounds, now tell me unibond etc can beat that price for a superior maker.

 

[Mr Tiler]

Hi tfs, I have used unibond before not good! go for your own choice.:yes:

 

[devonmark]

mapei all the way for me....kerraquick is suitable for porcelain...don't go with the unibond, you'll only regret it...if the customer has a computer..show him/her the result to your query..good luck with the job..Mark.

 

[tfs]

Hey folks,

Thanks for your posts!

Does anyone else have anything to say, I would still very much like more infoo/tips

e.g.

What Materials would you reccomend?

What are the benefots of these, compared to some others?

I want as much info as I can get from anyone with even the smalest amount of experience as I have been using the same grout, adhesive and tiles for almost four months during my training.

Kris

 

[Perry]

Fred try ptb might save you time on large format Pete

 

[Ric]

using porcelain tiles i can only recommend bal rapid set flexi or if time isn't an issue and for longer pot life use bal single part flexi. Bal is one of the best though you will pay extra for it. i wouldn't mess about with inferior diy stuff on first job, get it right with right gear and experiment with materials as you get more experience.

 

[Tilestiles]

Like the guys say Kris, keep away from B & Q and DIY stuff. Set up an account at a tile shop and I am sure when you tell the customer you can get better adhesives & grouts which are also CHEAPER than he is paying, he will soon change his mind!!

 

[brian c]

Do as the guys say and use the porcelbond flexi adhesive,i use PCI flexi rapidset.There is nothing else you can be advised on Kris.The unibond stuff is thick,hard to spread and is a bugger to get off your hands never mind off the tiles and i would definately not recommend this product.Use a flexi grout aswell m8.

 

[DHTiling]

All the info you need is on the forums spend some time going through the archives mate....

 

[tfs]

OK, thank you very much, I have looked through the forums, I have got some bits and peices.

Some of you are happy to spend the time to write 10 - 30 words saying this and that but, still not realy answering my questions.

I think its great having a forum for people to help but,it would be great if I could get some answers and communicate the real time served, qualified tilers. I will keep trying in the meantime, I gues I will learn the hard way.

kris

 

[brian c]

kris we are here to help m8,i think what you have asked has been answered clearly ,use flexi rapid set BAL product or any other porcelbond adhesive for porcelain tiles,use a flexi grout also.

Regards your customer,once you have identified what make of material you are going to work with THEN you will be in a position to inform them that you supply your own products because you know the qualities of the said product compared to the diy products which are usually inferior to the branded named products used by most of us on here.

if you have any more questions then fire away or send me a pm m8. Bri

 

[DevonChris]

Hi Kris,
I've been tiling full time for over 15 years and have met a lot of tilers over this time. The bad ones moan about adhesives and grouts, the good ones just get on with it. You need to make sure the adhesive and grout supplied is suitable for any job you do. Just read the instructions! Porcelain doesn't stick with 'ordinary' adhesive so be careful. If in doubt call the manufacturers or a tile shop.
You'll get to know which ones you prefer over the years. It'll cost you some time when you use a bad one (like B&Qs!) but you often have no control over the fixing products so it all just goes down to experience and you do the best you can.
There's usually very little to choose between the most popular adhesives and normally tilers have different preferences because they work with different styles/techniques and speeds. So you need to find what you prefer with your own technique over time.
One thing that all tilers will probably agree on, is that the stuff that is both tile and grout is terrible as it's a compromise of 2 different consistencies/materials that make it rubbish at both!
It's far more important to have the correct tools and be able to use them well. Many tilers I see waste a lot of time using tools with bad methods
Good luck, take your time when you need to and don't be afraid to walk away from a job if something's not right!

Chris

 

[GazLC81]

Kris you need to be honest with the customer and tell him that you are not comfortable using the Unibond adhesive/grout he is supplying. Tell him that there is a good chance that the tiles will come loose because that particular tile adhesive brand isn't very good. If he insists on using it either tell him to get someone else to do the job as you have a reputation to uphold and won't put your name to a bad job.

Alternatively, ask him to sign something before you do the job saying that he insisted on you using Unibond adhesive against your advice and that he will be responsible for any futher problems that may occur.

Gaz

PS You work for yourself mate, remember that you don't answer to anyone, you make the decisions!

 

[tfs]

thanks for your advice guys. I agree that I will be better off once I have used various types/ brands of adhesive and grout.

regards
kris

 

[lrtiling]

I know i'm a novice but i was told on my tiling course the price you quote includes the materials, not including tiles. Quote the price and buy whatever adhesives and grout you choose, you're the professional not the customer.

 

[brian c]

I know i'm a novice but i was told on my tiling course the price you quote includes the materials, not including tiles. Quote the price and buy whatever adhesives and grout you choose, you're the professional not the customer.

We all have different methods m8,i prefer to give a price per m2 and add materials on or if customer insists on a final price then that is what i give.Its always good when you get a punter who tells you just to buy what you need and they will square you up,if only they were all like that or if they gave you money for materials in advance as this would be good for newbies starting out.Fortunately i have an excellent supplier who lets me pay once i have been paid.(cheers Andy)

 

[tfs]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Im just gonna go in and do the job to the best of my ability. 12msq kitchen floor and two bathrooms approx 3msq each.

I will be plyboarding the floors too. The customer already has the adhesive etc. I have advised him previously to get trade quality and reccomended retailers. He got quotes and decided to get from B&Q, due to price I would imagine.

I have also told him to ensure he gets an impregnator if required and that he should ask the retailer if he is unsure.

Im excited anyway as Ive read through some posts and gathered that Polished porcelain could be a good challenge for many folks especially 600 x 600. So I will be chuffed when Im done.

thanks

Kris
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My dry cutter is too small for the 600 x 600 tiles.

I need a wet saw so, I thought I would just buy one and use this.

Can I achieve an adequate finnish? and in a reasonable timescale?

kris

 

[brian c]

KRIS I WOULD DEFINATELY SEAL THOSE TILES M8 AS IV HEARD A LOT OF HORROR STORIES ABOUT THOSE LARGE FORMAT B&q tiles,dont leave ady or grout on the surface for any length of time m8 as this may result in the staining of the tile,make sure you use FLEXI ADHESIVE AND GROUT ESPECIALLY ONTO PLYWOOD.aLL THE BEST AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU GET ON. Bri