One, should the wall surface be wet when applying tile adhesive?
When using tile adhesive for interior wall tiling, is it necessary to wet the wall surface? The decision depends on the specific condition of the wall. Generally, it is not necessary to use adhesive when tiling interior walls. However, there may be specific situations where wetting the wall surface is required.
Two. What are the requirements for applying and grouting tiles on walls?
1、Why is it not necessary to water the inner wall when installing ceramic tiles with ceramic tile adhesive?
In normal conditions, when using tile adhesive to adhere tiles to interior walls, watering is not required. The primary reason for this is the inherent properties of the tile adhesive itself, which can be summarized in the following three points.
① The composition of tile adhesive determines its properties. Tile adhesive is primarily composed of cement mortar and powder, along with other additives, which are mixed together to create the final product. This is the type of tile adhesive commonly used. Therefore, tile adhesive is essentially a type of adhesive.
② When using adhesives, water is generally not recommended. For example, when applying sealant, you first need to clean and dry the substrate with a dry cloth before applying the sealant. Otherwise, it will not adhere properly.
③ When adhering tiles with tile adhesive, we use the thin-layer method. This involves applying a thin layer of tile adhesive, typically less than 10mm thick, to the wall surface using a notched trowel. Then, a thin layer of tile adhesive is also applied to the back of the tile using a notched trowel. Finally, the tile is placed on the wall. Therefore, the substrate does not require a particularly high moisture content.
Personal recommendation:
① When using tile adhesive to adhere tiles, we must ensure that the strength of the wall substrate is adequate. In simpler terms, the wall surface should not exhibit issues such as sand shedding, voids, or detachment, to ensure that the tile adhesive properly adheres to the substrate.
② When adhering tiles with tile adhesive, the moisture content of the wall surface must be controlled. The most obvious consequence is that there should be no visible water on the wall surface. Otherwise, the tile adhesive will not solidify and will detach along with the tiles.
③ When using, do not add any water or pre-mixed mortar arbitrarily, as this will disrupt the tile adhesive ratio and significantly affect its quality.
2、Why use tile adhesive to apply tiles in special cases, and can the wall surface be wetted?
The specific situations refer to walls with very low moisture content or water added to the tile adhesive. In such cases, I believe it is beneficial to apply a light mist of water to the wall surface before tiling, especially when the moisture content of the wall is almost zero. The reasons for this are as follows.
① When using tile adhesive, water was added. This means that during the mixing of the tile adhesive, the two components were not mixed according to the product's instructions, and water was added in the process. The presence of water will cause the wall to absorb moisture, leading to tile detachment. Therefore, it is my opinion that watering is necessary in this situation.
②For particularly dry walls, it is also possible to moisten the surface with water before applying tile adhesive. For example, if a wall has been exposed to prolonged sunlight and is particularly dry, it is possible to apply water before using the tile adhesive. This can also improve the adhesion of the tile adhesive. However, it is important to note that clear water should not be used.
Suggested recommendations:
① When adhering tiles to walls, we first need to prepare the surface according to the chosen material. For example, when using tile adhesive, it's generally recommended to keep the substrate dry. However, if water is added to the tile adhesive, it's usually necessary to moisten the surface.
②When pouring water on the wall surface, it is crucial to ensure that the wall surface is not excessively wet. Ideally, the wall should be in a slightly damp state to avoid affecting the performance of the tile adhesive.