Trouble setting 2x2 tile in bath

[DIYgal]

So glad I found this site, wished I had found it 6 months ago! I've laid a ceramic floor (12x12 tile) with good results but am having a terrible time with the second bathroom. I am using 2x2 tiles on a 12x12 sheet, mortar and a 1/4 inch trowel. The tiles are not bedding and are popping up all over the place! I installed cement board over plywood and the floor was level before I started. I am at a loss, I can't grout until the tiles stay put and the more I replace the more that pop up!! So discouraging. Am I creating a worse problem by replacing as they pop up? Should I start from scratch? Is there an additive I can use with the mortar to adhere better? I'm at a loss here and really don't know how to proceed. Thanks for your imput!

[stullis]

What brand and type of thinset are you using?
Are you mixing it to a proper consistency?
1/4" notch trowel is typically to big for mosaic tile.

[DIYgal]

Laticrete Thinset Mortar 317 (from Lowes)
I believe it is, its setting up nice in the notch ridges and not dry

What size trowel do you recommend? Square or pointed?

Thanks! That was fast!

[cproader]

Sorry to hear you're having a problem, but we'll get it figured out. Is the tile on a paper mesh or cloth. And is the glue holding the tile to the mesh letting go, in other words is the thinset getting through the mesh to the tile. Is this a modified thinset or unmodified.

[DIYgal]

Well lets see, the tile 2x2's are set on the mesh with just glue in each corner. Yes the thin set is coming up through the tiles but not a lot. I'll have to add that I stopped back at Lowes to ask them too about the trowel and he asked what type of thin set I was using. Kind of dumb I said the 317 because thats what other guy recommended for that tile. he said yes but did he also recommend an adhesive additive? No he didn't and thus, I think I've found the problem. 50 used tiles, a weeks worth of work and the old tiles have to come up, so says the Lowes guy because the mortar I used did not already have the additive in it. Now even the ones that did stick will have to come up because he said they would eventually anyway. Nice eh? Okay so I'm not bitter just learning (thats what I'm telling myself anyway! LOL) So now I'm upheaving tile and am going to re-lay it on Wednesday.

Trowel recommendations and anything else anyone can for see going wrong before I endeavor on laying this again would be helpful!

Thanks, this site rocks and you'll be seeing a lot more pesky questions in the future!

Maggie

[cproader]

See..... Ya shoulda came here first. But now ya know. And we're crazy glad you're gonna be coming back, so welcome and give them pesky little tiles heck for all of us.

[DIYgal]

Originally Posted by cproader See..... Ya shoulda came here first. But now ya know. And we're crazy glad you're gonna be coming back, so welcome and give them pesky little tiles heck for all of us.

LOL after falling a week behind? My aggravation at both the tiles and the tile "pros" at Lowes are going to be taken out up heaving all those tiles! If I can still move on Wednesday...new with additive will be going in! Thanks!!

PS I still have a shower to remove tile and reinstall so look for me soon if I'm not in traction...

[hookknife]

Be sure also that you do not ever walk on the fresh set tiles too soon sometimes even the next morning is too soon, especially when using an unmodified mortar like 317, if you break the bond of the tile/mortar tiles will pop loose

[stullis]

5/16 v notch trowel is plenty with mosaic 2x2
modified thinset,
get them embeded well and like Bryan said stay off them until dry. extra day is a good idea.

[Tileman]

If there's a HD by you, just pick up a bag of Versabond, all you need is water, a good way to keep them all even is to pat them down with a grout float, then if any are crooked and you need to ajust them, take a razor knife and score the mesh between them, now you can move and align them without disturbing the surrounding ones.

EDIT

contest points=118

[stullis]

Originally Posted by Tileman , then if any are crooked and you need to ajust them, take a razor knife and score the mesh between them, now you can move and align them without disturbing the surrounding ones.

If you have a waterproof membrane that you're setting on then don't razor knife them out after setting them, do it beforehand.

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contest points=72

[Floorguy]

LOL!!


Ya, that would be one of those, DOH! moments.

What would one do, to fix a slash in the membrane??


(Edit: Selective contest points given???? Why, I not get some points??)

[stullis]

Originally Posted by Floorguy LOL!! Ya, that would be one of those, DOH! moments.

I've seen guys do it. LOL

Or they come back the next day and are scraping out thinset on a kerdi job prior to grouting. DOH!

EDIT

contest points=74