Can cement be used as tile adhesive on window sill?

[DIYNotIan]

Hi there

I have five slate tiles to use on my kitchen window sill. Someone recommended that I just use cement to fix them seeing as it is not a floor and will not see heave traffic.

I wondered if anyone here can confirm whether that's a good idea or not?

Also, if it is OK to use cement, what's the minimum thickness I can get away with? The thinner the better for me....

See photos below for how the window sill is at the moment with the old tiles removed.

Cheers

Max

Untitled

• DIYNotIan
• 28 Oct 2014
• 1

Untitled

• DIYNotIan
• 28 Oct 2014
• 1

 

[geraldthehamster]

They'll be more likely to stay put if you use a cement-based floor tile adhesive.

Cheers
Richard

 

[DIYNotIan]

Hi

Many thanks for the suggestion....

Will that do I everything I need, as in level the surface AND stick the tiles down? Or would I need to use something else as well?

Also, is there any chance you could link me to the kind of thing you mean to make sure I get it right?

Cheers

 

[geraldthehamster]

This sort of thing:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-rapid-set-adhesive-grey-20-0kg/29634

Just brush all the loose stuff off and lay a bed of adhesive with a trowel.

Cheers
Richard

 

[DIYNotIan]

Great - Thanks for that.

Excuse me for being a cheapskate, but does anyone know of a similar product available in smaller bags? Our window sill is 170cm x 20cm and I'm guessing I would not need much for that. I've no other use for the adhesive, so buying such a big bag would be a waste.

Cheers

 

[Burnerman]

Sticking me nose in, but I've had success with the Wickes rapid set ready mixed cement compound.......it mixes really smooth, indicating an added plasticiser. I got rid of any loose stuff, gave it a coat of PVA and set to.
It worked well, and was available in 2kg bags, I think.
John

 

[DIYNotIan]

Please do stick your nose in! This stuff??? -

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Rapid-Setting-Cement-2-5kg/p/154061

Great price, looks good, would just need to make sure i don't tit about and that I get the tiles level ASAP, before it dries....

I'll have to see if I have some PVA as well. What ratio did you mix the PVA with water?

 

[Burnerman]

That's the sort of stuff Max and if you check out 220997 that's the very product I used.
My job was tiles onto thermalite......I dampened the blocks well, brushed on a PVA layer (a squeeze of wood glue and a wet paintbrush to be exact) and got cracking.....the tiles haven't shifted.
I guess the secret is not to allow the surface you are tiling on to become absorbent to the extent that it absorbs too much moisture from the cement mix.
All I can say is that it worked fine for me!
John

 

[geraldthehamster]

There's a thread on the use of PVA with tile adhesive here:

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33645

Cheers
Richard

 

[AdamCH]

There's a thread on the use of PVA with tile adhesive here:

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=33645

Cheers
Richard

The shorter version is don't use PVA. If you need to prime use primer made for tiling.

 

[DIYNotIan]

For a million and one reasons, we had to get on with a load of other things around the house (and in our lives!) so this job never got done.

Thanks for all the replies (last year ).

Can anyone recommend a cheap primer to use? I only need a really small quantity - enough for 5 tiles. And money really is too tight to mention (as the old song goes).

As for adhesive, I'm planning on using Burnerman's suggestion:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Quick-Set-Mortar-2kg/p/220997

Do I definitely need a primer if using this? The window sill had tiles on it before that we removed, just in case that makes any difference.

Cheers

 

[DIYNotIan]

Hi again

Presuming for a moment that I definitely do need to prime the substrate before using the Quick Set Mortar, can anyone please comment on whether this would be suitable:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-pla...nd Adhesives&gclid=CNzfrofZm8QCFYnJtAodig0Agw

Would appreciate any help hugely.

Many thanks

 

[Burnerman]

That primer will work well, Max.....there's a fair chance you won't need it, but better do it anyway.....you don't want to do the job twice!
John

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thanks Burnerman, both for your reply here and for all your previous replies! Hopefully I'll finally get the job done now and move onto something else...

Cheers mate