mosaic adhesive for use on exterior ply outside

[artworks]

We need some advice please we make mosaics with children and recently visited a couple of them to check for wear and tear and noticed large chunks coming off of mosaics which are only 1 year old.
We use Bal mosaic fix, external ply scored and then a flexible wide joint grout. All external stuff.
People have said it must be a problem with the adhesive but Bal technical staff said there shouldn't be a problem .
Any advice would be welcome as to an alternative adhesive for outdoor mosaics on ply, that children can use please?

 

[jctilingservices]

has the boards been sealed prior to fixing the mosaic ? is there any movement ( flex ) in the board ?

 

[Richard C]

has the boards been sealed prior to fixing the mosaic ? is there any movement ( flex ) in the board ?

That's the key; flexing aside, I've got to say that any timber product (even WBP ply) would not be my choice as a base for outside tiling; it’s timber & if it gets wet, it will expand & there go your tiles!

 

[tictic]

with jc and rich.
maybe look into...backerboards/wedi/marmox/aquapanel etc..

hope you have a few budding tile fixers amongest them kids.

 

[Richard C]

hope you have a few budding tile fixers amongest them kids.

You may need them

 

[jctilingservices]

hope you have a few budding tile fixers amongest them kids.

You may need them

i would offer my services but its been a long LONG time since i qualified as a kid

 

[lancenotalot]

external ply scored

This could have made things happen faster,exterior ply has a treated veneer on the outside faces,scoring these could have allowed ingess into the untreated timber beneath the top veneer.

Aqua panel would be best as tic says.

 

[skitzee2k]

Much the same as everyone else. Use Wedi (or similar backerboard), adhesive...Bal mosaic fix, ardex x77w, weber spf white, mapei keraflex white. All these will give you a long working time as are standard setting (except X77 which has double 'E' grade extended set, so you have long working time but drys very quickly after the long working time...geek stuff really )....grout with a flexible adhesive for extra oomph.