Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 07, 2000 01:31am | #1

   *
   Don't know the book, but I wouldn't believe anything I heard from HD. You might as well ask the guy on the corner. If there is somebody there that knows, accept my apologies.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 07, 2000 05:07am | #2

   *Okay Jim, here's the skinny: an organic mastic adhesive used in a wet area is going to mildew. This will result in severe deterioration of other building members. It may take six months or it may take six years, but it will happen. Thinset, being portland cement-based will not have the same problem. Thinset is also way less expensive.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 07, 2000 05:53am | #3

   *Better yet, do what I did. Call the manufacturer of the mastic adhesive and ask them if their mastic adhesive is made for shower walls. When I asked, they said "Sure it is". Then I ask about some of the problems that have been mentioned (moisture penetration was a biggy) and they backed down pretty quick. The manufacturer wants a customer to use the product for whatever its intended purpose is, and not go beyond its capabilities. This makes for a happy customer, because the product performed as it was intended. Whenever someone tells me (like these HD guys told you) that a product is PERFECT for such and such an application, I read the directions, recommendations, and even call the manufacturers. You'd be amazed how many times these so called experts at the home centers are way off base. I now ask my fellow tradesmen, manufacturer reps, and sales reps about specific product info.I personally use thinset on shower walls, bathroom floors (on slab) and for cultured marble installations (in a shower and for a tub surround).Just my opinion...James DuHamel

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 07, 2000 11:31pm | #4

   *Jim,You don't use Home Depot and "pros" in the same sentence. Just isn't done.

2. 
   Jim_Piaszynski | Apr 08, 2000 12:24am | #5

   *
   Thanks for the help. I called the manufacturer, and sure enough, they said thinset was better. According to the manufacturer, the mastic was a type I mastic, which is supposed to be especially mildew resistant, would be appropriate for low usage showers (guest showers for instance) but not for heavily used showers.

   Thanks again. I see what you mean by HD and "pro".

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 08, 2000 04:17am | #6

   *
   My advice is dont use mastic for anything except maybe some decorative tile that will never see moisture from anywhere.

   Dave

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 08, 2000 05:26am | #7

   *Before we trash it too much, mastic can be great for vertical surfaces that don't get splashed regularly. It certainly solves the tile sliding problem during installation. Even Mr.Byrne says this. So, we should be careful when using the word "moisture." There will be some "moisture" around a kitchen sink, but that doesn't preclude using a mastic for the tiles behind it. Lord knows I had enough problems removing the mastic adhered surface in my kitchen before re-tiling. You won't generally get tile slide in a shower or bath installation, however, if the tiles have ears and you butt them accordingly. So a latex modified thinset is the preference, as others have already noted.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 10, 2000 06:33am | #8

   *So: basically mastic is easier, but never used for wet locations?I haven't used mastic, just thinset, which didn't seem especially difficult (aside from my usual trouble with making straight lines).

4. 
   Jim_Piaszynski | Apr 10, 2000 02:11pm | #9

   *
   I'm almost done setting tiles in the first bathroom. I'm turning a bath into a shower/bath. The thinset manufacturer also said I wouldn't have any trouble with "hang" because 4" wall tiles don't weigh much, but they were wrong about that. The tiles quickly wanted to sag on the wall. So the start of the project was frenzied, but quickly came under control. Also, I'd expect the tiles to line up perfectly, because of how the spacers are built into the design, but they didn't. I used a few toothpicks to shim the problem tiles as they dried. Perhaps on the second shower I'll use 1/16" spacers to help that.

   About the grout... I have some extra latex modifier left - would it be better to buy polymer modified grout, or use regular grout but mix with the latex modifier?

1. 
   BOB_SNYDER | Apr 12, 2000 02:39am | #10

   *I AM SLIP SHEETING A NEW CONCRETE SLAB AROUND A POOL DECK TO APPLY BRICK. i NEED A GOOD EXTERIOR MATERIAL. IS ROOFING FELT ACCEPTABLE OUTSIDE?

5. 
   Guest_ | Apr 28, 2000 07:15am | #11

   *
   Jim,

   Make your mud thicker and in smaller batches(drying). This will help
   with the slipping.

   NEVER NEVER NEVER use tile spacers. (am i to harsh?) Ceramic is not
   exact, but plastic is. Your best tile will have no variations in size,
   and those will have a little. I once saw a guy do a whole bathroom in
   6"x8" tile using matchsticks as spacers. But the tile was in the $10
   ft. range. Better to use control lines on the wall, measure often the
   vertical and horizontal to check grout consistancy, and space with
   shims. You can buy little plastic wedges that allow you to set each
   tile specifically to it's needs. Your grout lines may vary by a 32nd
   in width, but if they are straight, no one will notice.

   Your grout question is one of degree. First is you modifier designed
   to be used with grout? You will get discoloration eventually. Unless
   you use a grey colored grout. To find out what is the better grout
   system, call the manufacurer of the product you are using. They can
   direct you through the different levels of grout toughness that they
   have. Again is is a question of degr

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 30, 2000 01:04am | #12

   *Hey, is this an excuse to buy a laser level/plumb projector? Please?

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 30, 2000 03:21am | #13

   *Bob, This is hijacking X2. If you want to start a new topic, go back to the top of the topic page of the folder you want to list your thread under and click on the putrid yellow/green/gold button labeled "Add a Discussion".And turn off the caps lock. It really is a pain to read.Welcome aboard...

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 30, 2000 04:38am | #15

   *Oh good ... I thought it was just me who was confused ...

6. 
   Jim_Piaszynski | Apr 30, 2000 04:38am | #14

   *
   Mike Byrne's book on tiling is big on using thinset for setting shower wall tile, while my local Home Depot pros said mastic was the only way to go. What do you think?

   Thanks for the help!