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Tiling techniques: back buttering and spot fixing

As tile format seemingly get larger and larger, correct substrates and background preparation becomes more important. 
To a degree, small formats and mosaics can be carefully applied to cover undulating surfaces. Large format products are less forgiving consequently surfaces have to be as flat as possible. 

However, in some circumstances, tile fixers will be challenged to tile over difficult surfaces like brick or structurally sound walls that are simply not flat.

Spot fixing is an old technique that has been wideley employed to overcome uneven wall surfaces. 

Tilers place a substantial blob of stiff adhesive on each orner of the tile and in the centre. THe blobl are large enough to keep the back of the tile away from the uneven wall surface, after the tile has been pressed into position. 

These days, some tile fixers still spot fix tiles despite the fact that AS3958-1 2007: 54.6.2c states "spot fixing where the tiles are fixed with four or five dabs of adhesive is not recommended and should be avoided at all tiles". 

Spot fixing is frowned upon because it does not comply with the contact coverage requirements stated in AS3958. In essence, it is important to avoid creating voids behind the installed tiles. But sometimes spot fixing is unavoidable, for example, when narrow slithers of tile have to be fixed in spaces where a conventional trowel simply does not fit such as gaps above or beside figures like windows. Then the fixer can add adhesive to the back of the tile and press it into place, ensuring that each piece is flush with adjacent tiles. 

If spot fixing is taboo, what can be done to overcome uneven wall substrates?

In an ideal world, certainly in on where larger formats have become commonplace, substrates should be prepared in accordance with standards and they should be flat, dry and smooth. 

Recommend fixing techniques include thin bed fixing. This technique should ensure that the final bed of adhesive does not exceed 3mm and voids behind the tiles are kept to a minimum. 

To internal applications where there are dry conditions, notched trowel techniques should be employed using the following size trowel in relation to the tile format.
  1. 200x200mm - 8mm notched trowel
  2. 250x250mm - 10mm notched trowel
  3. 300x300 - 12mm notched trowel
  4. 400x400mm and above  -12mm notched trowel and buttering of the tile

Tiles are pressed firmly into the ribs of adhesive created by the notched trowel. The adhesive is generally applied horizontally on walls to prevent moisture travelling downwards via the ribs of adhesive. 

Ceramic tile adhesive should be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Particular care should be taken to avoid spreading too much adhesive to the substrate, as it may dry before tiles can be fixed and it will lose its ability to adhere correctly to the tiles. 

Note in (4) it is necessary to use added adhesive "buttered" evenly onto the back of the tiles. Contact coverage has to be maximused. The additional adhesive buttered on to the back of the tiles is often essential where contact coverage of adhesive is requird to reach or exceed 80 per cent. 

Different adhesives are chosen for specific backgrounds. For example, cement based adhesives are primarily used on mature cement rendered surfaces, concrete and brickwork. 

Other thin bed methods employed to fix tiel are the floating method and the buttering method. it is good practice to combine traditional application of adhesive, using an appropriate notched trowel, with back buttering techniques, espeically when alrge format tiles are specified. 

The back buttering process is carried out by applying adhesive to the wall with the notched side of the trowel, a thin coat of adhesive is then applied to the entire back of the tile suing the straight edge of the trowel. The tile is then pressed into position. 

A range of thick bed adhesives are available to cope with uneven surfaces, and should be employed as described above, to the maximu thickness as specified by the manbufacturer. 

Builders will be fully aware of the necessity of providing flat, smooth, clean surfaces which are suitable for tiling. However, if and when fixers are challenged to tile over tricky backgrounds, there is generally a method that can be used, for brick:
  1. choose the right adhesive.
  2. wire brush the bricks to remove any course materials
  3. prime the brickwork, or use an adhesive with a built in primer.
  4. allow enough time for extra thick adhesive to dry before grouting.

Techniques like spot fixing save time and use fewer materials but are not always reliable. AS 3958-1 might be out of date and in urgent need of renewal following the introduction of slim products and other materials, however in practice it is an often used method. 

Credit: Tile Today Issue 94 by Anthony Stock. 

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Voted Best Tile Showroom, Nerang Tiles hosts one of the largest Australian tile showrooms displaying thousands of floor tiles and wall tiles at discount prices at its Gold Coast Tile Showroom.

The Nerang Tiles Website is a gallery snapshot only. Displaying a sneak preview of the thousands of tiles on display at its Gold Coast Tile Showroom. Visit in store to see the full range and take advantage of the Nerang Tiles expert team.

Nerang Tiles is a one stop tile showroom, providing full and free colour and design consultation to assist builders, architects, retail and interior designers tile all areas from floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, pools, outdoor areas, offices to driveways.

Showcasing the latest in tile design and interior tile trends, including all classic and traditional tile designs, Nerang Tiles has it all. Some of the tiles available include tiles suitable as kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles, floor tiles, wall tiles, outdoor tiles, pool tiles, feature tiles and much more. 

Tile Types available at Nerang Tiles: Bathroom Tiles, Kitchen Tiles, Pool Tiles, Outdoor Tiles, Wall Tiles, Floor Tiles, Feature Tiles, Timber Look Tiles, Marble Look Tiles, Stone Look Tiles, Concrete Look Tiles, Pattern Tiles, Mosaic Tiles, Stone Veneer Cladding, Cladding Tiles, Brick Look Tiles, Subway Tiles, Talavera Tiles, Capping Tiles, Listello Tiles, Pencil Tiles, Vinyl Tiles, Safety Tiles, Geometric Tiles, Tessellated Tiles, Mercatto Tiles, Terracotta Tiles, Anti Slip Tiles, Commercial Tiles, Textured Tiles, Sealed Tiles, Structured Tiles, Scored Tiles, Pressed Edge Tiles, Rectified Tiles, Vitrified Tiles, Step Tread Tiles, Coving Tiles, Bullnosed Tiles, Glazed Tiles, Bejmat Tiles, Zellige Tiles, Kit Kat Tiles, Finger Tiles, Unglazed Tiles, Floral Tiles, French Pattern Tiles, Terrazzo Look Tiles, Glow in the dark Tiles, Glass Tiles, Encaustic Tiles, Mosaic Tile Murals, Pool Mosaic Murals, porcelain paver tiles and much more. 
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You are sure to be smiling doing your tiling when you shop at Nerang Tiles.

Find more tile inspiration for your wall tiling or floor tiling through the Nerang Tiles' Pinterest Page, Instagram Page,  Houzz Profile or Facebook Page.  The Nerang Tiles Social Media pages are constantly updated with new tiles arriving in store and designed inspiration from tile factories and customers for our viewing pleasure. 

*Photos are an indication of colour only. Actual goods may vary from images shown due to device display settings, product batch variations and fine detail, and may not be available. Please contact Nerang Tiles to check availability, request samples or view display items .

Information on this website is to be used as a guide only and should not be taken to constitute current professional advice or a formal recommendation and we exclude all representation and warranties in relation to the content of this website. All consumers should seek professional advice through their local Builder's Association for specific, current and individual application.
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      • Are Tiles Cold
      • Why Have I Received Wrong or Damaged Tiles
      • What is the difference between glazed and unglazed porcelain tile?
      • Why are some of my tiles uneven
      • How to Match Existing Tiles
      • Why do my tiles have small cracks?
    • Tile Facts >
      • Silica Dust & Ceramic Tiles
      • Tile Characteristics >
        • Shade Variation
        • Tile Flatness
        • Tile Water Absorption
        • Tile Resistance to Humidity and Temperature Change
        • Tile Chemical Characteristics
        • Tile Size Variation
        • Crazing of Glazed Tiles
        • Optical Hazing in Polished Tiles
      • Tiling Terminology
      • Aluminium Trim Information
      • Types of Tiles
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        • Tile Cleaning Terminology
        • What Type of Cleaner Should I Use To Clean My Grout & Tiles
        • Guide to Stain Removal For Unglazed Tiles
      • Efflorescence
      • Problem Solving - Grout Haze, Mould, Wax Coatings & Efflorescence
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        • Preparing Your Surface
        • Tiling Techniques: Back Buttering and Spot Fixing
        • Tile Joints - The Basics
        • Gradient falls in wet area floors
        • How to Deal with electrical outlets when tiling
      • DIY Tiling Essentials
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