Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a pickle with my latest tiling project. I've laid down this same mosaic tile before and it turned out great, but this time I'm having some serious issues. I switched to a different thinset, and now it seems like many of the tiles didn't adhere properly and are loose. I followed the install instructions and used the correct trowel size, so I'm not sure where I went wrong. Should I just take up the loose tiles and re-lay them, or is it better to remove all the tiles completely and start fresh? I'm looking for advice on how to proceed from here. Check out the thinset and results here: https://imgur.com/a/EINzlYo
3 Answers
You might need to check the thinset age too; if it dried out before you set the mosaic sheets, that could cause adhesion issues. Unmodified thinset relies only on mechanical bonding, and it might not suit a glazed porcelain mosaic. Next time, consider using a modified thinset, which can handle movement better!
For specialized advice, you might want to ask the pros at John Bridge's forum. They have a lot of experienced tile setters who can give you great insights and help you avoid this in the future!
It looks like the thinset may have skimmed over before you set the tiles, which can happen with small mosaics. I suggest peeling up the loose tiles, making the surface flat again, and re-laying them. It should be manageable since it's a small bathroom!
Thanks for your feedback! Sounds like redoing it might be the best route. I'm glad it’s not a huge area to cover.
Appreciate the tip! I’ll definitely go with a modified thinset next time.