Tile & Stone adhesive.

Why not to use sand cement mortar and slurry for the installation of tile/stone?

Why to use tile adhesive for the installation of tile/stone?

Tile/Stone using sand cement mortar and slurry	Tile/Stone using tile adhesive
WEAK BOND	STRONG BOND - 4 times sand/cement
SLOW FIXING RATE	FASTER FIXING RATE - 4 times faster than sand/cement
TILES NEED SOAKING - MESSY	TILES ARE FIXED DRY, NO SOAKING - NO MESS
THICK BED OF 15 to 40 mm - adds to weight / thickness	THIN BED OF APPROX. 2 to 6 mm - reduces weight of the structure
RIGID AND SHRINKS - cracks due to physical, thermal & moisture movement	FLEXIBLE, ANTI-SHRINK  PROPERTIES - able to accommodate movement due to physical and thermal effect
LIMITED USE - weak or no bond to some materials and backgrounds	UNIVERSAL USE - adhesive range strongly bonds to all materials (tiles, stones) and backgrounds
CURING  REQUIRED	INITIAL SET 20 MINUTES, CURES IN 24 HOURS
ADHESION CAN LESSEN	VERY DURABLE BOND
STAINS, SEEPAGE DISCOLOURATION IS POSSIBLE	RESISTANT TO STAINS, SEEPAGE & DISCOLOURATION
POOR WORKABILITY / APPLICATION - thin/runny, no 'grab', high slip, poor water retention, short open time, hard to use and apply.	GOOD WORKABILITY / APPLICATION - thick / sticky, good 'grab', nonslip, good water retention, long open time and very easy to use and apply
VARIABLE QUALITY FINISH	GOOD, CONSISTENT, QUALITY FINISH
VARIABLE  MATERIALS - poor mixing control	CONSISTENT, QUALITY PRODUCT - easy to mix
CLAMPS REQUIRED TO FIX BIGGER SLABS	NO CLAMPS REQUIRED UP TO 20FT
NO GUARANTEE	10 YEARS GUARANTEE, WHEN USED AS RECOMMENDED
HOLLOWNESS BEHIND TILES / STONES & BACKGROUND  SURFACE	100% BONDING BETWEEN TILES / STONES & BACKGROUND  SURFACE
NOT WATER-RESISTANT WATER-RESISTANT	WATER-RESISTANT WATER-RESISTANT - Up to certain extent.

Now a days, by the use of modern technology, some products are available which can be applied in the same technology as tradition method of installing the tile and stone. Here are the some of the comparison between the Traditional installation of tile Vs rapid usable screed and slurry:

NORMAL SAND CEMENT SCREED	RAPID USABLE SCREED
´      Low workability and high residual humidity	ü  Very high workability and very low residual humidity provides strong bases for tiles in less time.
´  Problems of stains on light coloured natural stones, efflorescence in joints.	ü  Eliminates the problems of stains on light coloured natural stones, efflorescence in joints.
´     No control on mix ratio, reacts  un-uniformly and drying depends on the thickness.	ü  Quality controlled, reacts  uniformly and dries rapidly,
´      Cracks and shrinks, less durability	ü  No cracks and shrinkage, ensuring high durability
NORMAL SAND CEMENT SLURRY	POLYMER BASED CEMENT SLURRY
´   Low durability, cracks, de-bonding and damp rising dampness problems.	ü  High durability, no cracks, no de-bonding, no rising dampness problem, uniform strength, high adhesion, quick drying time.
´      Only cement mixed with water – dries quickly no time for fixing large size tile and stones	ü  Special polymers ensures  good working time even for large size tiles and stones.
´      Slurry shrinks.	ü    Polymer base – does not shrinks.
AS A SYSTEM
´   Cement can only bind the materials and is rigid cures hence no working time will be provided and bond will be weak.	ü  Polymer based cement adhesive in slurry form provides more working time and creates good bond.
´    The  screed   installed using normal sand and ordinary Portland cement leads to lesser strength, can shrink causing cracks and knocking sound through the tiles and stones.	ü  High quality polymerised screed and adhesive provides good compression strength, no shrinkage and provides long durable fully bonded tile / stone surface.
´    The  traditional screed and slurry requires  high quantity of water and this   excess amount   of water that is not used  by cement to react, migrates upward causing damp rising through the joints of tile / stones.	ü  Water requirement will be less and the whole water is locked by the polymer in screed and adhesive, will be utilizes in chemical curing and dries faster uniformly causing no any rising dampness problem.
´   Worker uses more water in cement slurry for more workability, this water in excess  forms vapour and  escapes   through  the  stones and joints causing stains and efflorescence on the surface / joints.	ü  Water used in slurry adhesive is locked by the polymers and no any rising vapour so no any stains and efflorescence on the surface / joints.
Modern products can be used in SAME TECHNIQUE, BUT COMES WITH GUARANTEE with    ECONOMY - LONG LIFE - TENSION FREE

While installing the natural stones, always use suitable primer say UNDER TILE & STONE PRIMER, if not stains can form in the stones:

Many thanks for watching:

Tips for sheet applied waterproofing membrane

Let see some information available in the market regarding the sheet applied waterproofing membranes:

Comparison between / advantages and disadvantages  positive waterproofing system Vs negative waterproofing system:

Let see the detailing of membrane as per ASTM D 5898 – 96: This standard is for bitumen membranes, but shall be adopted for other sheet applied membranes also:

Standard details for adhered sheet waterproofing:

Tunnels and conditions where the width of excavations is limited:

Slab with mud mat (PCC):

Where there is no hydrostatic head below the slab:

Internal and external vertical corners meet horizontal surfaces:

Applicable to an expansion joint in a foundation wall / floor:

Let see the defective installation of sheet applied waterproofing membranes:

Let see some installation tips soon.........

How to test the tackiness of contact adhesive:

Brief details of torch on membrane applicaitons:

Brief details of self adhesive membrane application:

Exposed grade ready to install pipe penetrations caps details:

Some of the termination details:

Some of the safe to use mechanical fixtures:

Installation of waterproofing treatment at pile and pile cap

Let see some video instruction for proper detailing of sheet membranes at critical places:

Detailing at pedestal:

Dog leg folding at corners:

Extruded portions:

Extruded corners:

Extruded vertical portions:

Intruded rectangular portion or rain heads:

Pipe penetration extruded:

Pipe penetration intruded:

Complete guidelines for details using Hot Air Weld Gun Video courtesy: TexsaTV

Note: 

1. Maintain min 50mm at sheet ends in case of bonded membrane system. Membrane installed free laid or spot bonding or mechanically fixed, maintain the lap of width 75 - 100mm. As per IS 1609, all laps shall be 100mm. So refer the manufacturer's specification.

3. Extend floor membrane for min 150mm from the intended limit of the proposed wall at positive side (especial at junction of floor basement and retaining wall). Wall membrane shall be overlapped for min 150mm on floor. Terminal flashing shall be taken to height / depth / width min 150mm.

Refer: ASTM C 981-01: Standard Guide for Design of Built-Up Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing Systems for Building Decks Page No 8:

5. Avoid cuts and laps at corners.

6. Always continue the membrane of the floor on the parapet walls top width if the height of the parapet wall is less than 450mm, if not then terminate it on the wall at height of 150mm - As IS 

7. Planters, Bench, and Equipment Supports : Waterproofing membranes on horizontal surfaces should be carried under planters and supports without interruption. Such items should be installed on the concrete protection slab. Waterproofing of planters should be independent of the slab waterproofing....  ASTM D 5898 – 96, Page No 2

8. Waterproofing should not be terminated below grade.

Contd........ with more details....

TIPS FOR LIQUID APPLIED WATERPROOFING TREATMENT - Application

Here are some of the tips for LIQUID APPLIED waterproofing treatment - application:

For best standard spray application procedure : http://www.spraytec.net/pdf/General%20Information/Spraying%20Techniques.pdf

Let see some comparisons:

Sheet applied waterproofing Vs liquid applied waterproofing membrane:

Material usage as per market study:

Comparison between / advantages and disadvantages  positive waterproofing system Vs negative waterproofing system:

Advantages and disadvantages of cementitious waterproofing coating:

 Advantages and disadvantages of elastomeric coating waterproofing coating: