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In construction stores they sell liquid glue for ceramic tiles. The one-component paste is plastic and does not dry for a long time, it is designed for concrete and brick substrates. A minus of the invention is a short shelf life. An open package of liquid glue needs to be used in a month, otherwise it hardens and loses adhesive properties. Experienced builders prepare mortars for laying tiles from dry mixes, which are stored for months and are cheaper than liquid substrates.
Choosing the right material
Before buying glue, you need to determine the size of the facing material. Standard tiles are laid using universal compounds or options designed for interior decoration. This adhesive is plastic, contains a minimum of additives and is designed for concrete or brick walls.
Options for the bathroom should be moisture resistant. Hydrophobic modifiers are added to such tile adhesive. If you have to work with large and heavy facing material or non-standard walls, it is recommended to choose compositions with high adhesion rates.
Tile adhesive for floors is too fluid. It spreads and slowly hardens due to the large number of plasticizers. This option is not intended for walls.
Preparatory work
A bucket or other container in which glue will be kneaded is washed thoroughly. It is impossible that particles of dried cement mortar, lime or primer remain on the walls. Any extraneous additives reduce the adhesive properties of the paste for laying ceramic tiles.
They clean the nozzle of an electric drill or construction mixer from dirt and plaque. You can use a clean wooden stick or putty knife, break lumps with your hands.
Do not stir the solution with your bare hands. It is imperative to wear rubber gloves, because some brands include aggressive chemical components that cause allergies and irritation.
Particles of dry powder can settle on the mucous membrane of the nose, eyes or bronchi. To prepare a solution for the tile you need in a respirator or wet gauze dressing. It is advisable to wear construction glasses. Of course, it is impossible to get poisoned by building compounds, but they can cause irritation and inflammation of the mucosa, provoke conjunctivitis and cough.
Little tricks
Tile glue is diluted not just with clean, but with filtered or settled water. There are too many impurities in the tap fluid. Iron, chlorine, and other minerals react with dry powder. As a result, the finished paste loses its adhesive properties or hardens too quickly.
Each manufacturer has different proportions. The amount of water and powder depends on the composition of the glue. The standard ratio is 1 to 4. About 5 kg of dry billet are taken per 5 l of liquid. Sometimes the fourth part of the glue is replaced with cement, so that the composition becomes thicker and better set, and the tile does not lag behind concrete or brick base for years.
Step cooking
3-4 liters of water are poured into a container designed to knead the paste.If you pour a little powder into a bucket or bath and then add liquid, it will be very difficult to separate the dry component from the walls.
The water is stirred with a wooden stick or spatula and glue is introduced in a thin stream. When the mass becomes thick, knead it with your hands, like dough. Fingers break lumps. A small plastic portion is prepared. Then, water and powder are added to it alternately until the components run out.
It is more convenient to knead the glue with a mixer or an electric drill. The nozzle is completely immersed in the mass. If part of it remains on the surface, air bubbles will fall into the paste. Oxygen interacts with the mass, reducing the adhesive properties of the workpiece.
Builders who decide to stir the glue with a spatula or other tool are advised to ask for help from one of their friends or family members. While one person is working energetically with a wooden stick, the second sprinkles powder or adds water. In this case, you get the correct composition with a minimum number of lumps.
Plastic and dense mass set aside for 20-30 minutes. Even in the paste prepared with a construction mixer, lumps remain. In half an hour they will be saturated with water, swell and dissolve, and the workpiece will become homogeneous.
Correct consistency
Ceramic tile adhesive should not be too thin or thick. In both the first and second cases, the facing material is poorly attached to the wall. Some areas may fall off on the second day after the repair is completed.
To understand that the solution has a good consistency is easy. You need to scoop up the mass with a spatula, and then turn the tool 180 degrees. If the workpiece drains from the blade, add a little powder. The right glue slowly slides down like a thick molasses. If the paste resembles in consistency a brick that fell from a spatula and did not even flatten, water is added to it.
Tips
- Tile glue hardens quickly, so it is prepared in small portions. So much powder is mixed at a time to make enough for 1 square. m. wall or floor.
- The finished paste can not be stored for more than 4 hours, otherwise it will lose its adhesive properties.
- The powder is added to the water gradually. If you pour out the entire bag at once, you will get a sticky layer that even a construction mixer will not be able to break.
- Before use, beat the mortar with an electric drill or spatula to break up the remaining lumps.
- In the room where the repair takes place, it must be not lower than 10 and not higher than 25 degrees. Frost and heat reduce the adhesive properties of the solution, it does not set well.
- The film-coated mixture cannot be used. Throw out the old glue and prepare a portion of the new.
- Glazed tiles absorb a lot of moisture. More water than usual is added to the solution intended for such a facing material.
- The glue that begins to harden immediately after application to the wall or tile is discarded. The solution has expired. Perhaps the composition contains excess components. You won’t be able to save the glue, you have to buy a new one.
- Experts recommend mixtures that allow you to adjust individual fragments within 15-20 minutes after application.
- It is better to buy proven brands of glue. When choosing a workpiece, pay attention to the packaging condition and production date. Do not spend money on material in rumpled bags with expiring dates.
Even beginners who have never held a construction mixer in their hands will be able to prepare tile glue. The main thing is to observe the dosage, use only high-quality components and mix the solution thoroughly so that there are no lumps in it.
Video: manually mixing tile adhesive
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