Shower Tray Adhesive

[Nedman87]

Been reading and debating over what to use to stick down a stone resin and acrylic capped shower tray.

Manufacture instructions are weak sand/cement but everything I'm reading is pointing towards this being old and outdated.

So I was leaning towards flexible tile adhesive. Picked up some Ultra Tile ProFlex S2 ES standard set for between the shower and 6mm hardiebacker cement board. I have some NX flexible floor and wall tile adhesive and the screws to put down the hardiebacker. I picked up the wrong bag, was going to get the S1.

As the screws are securing it anyway I assume it doesn't matter to much regarding the adhesive holding the backer down?

I went for the standard set as I'm obviously new to this and wanted to give myself more time incase I inevitably mess it up haha.

Also is there any reason not to use the standard set over the rapid set other than time??

 

[Madrab]

Nope - screws should happily hold the Hardie. Is it onto a sub floor? As long as that's in good condition it should be fine even without any adhesive, just ensure it is screwed securely @ 200mm spacing. Don't forget to seal it all up before the tray goes down.

As long as the adhesive is flexible then it shouldn't matter if it is normal or fast set. Normal set will obviously just take longer to go off so the tray will need to be left alone for longer.

TBH, these days with flat bottomed stone resin trays, even flexi tile adhesive is a bit old hat. They are more for uneven floors where levelling is difficult, with flat topped plinths or flat board over sub floors then the newer polymer adhesives work well, the manufacturers just haven't really caught up with it all it seems.

 

[denso13]

I picked up the wrong bag, was going to get the S1.

S1 or S2 doesn't matter for this, that is more about foot traffic and loading on floor tiles. Slow or fast set isn't really a concern, just let it set long enough.

 

[Nedman87]

Perfect. Thanks for the replys.

I have seen those other polymers like CT1 and xpro stick foam.

I'm just going with the tile adhesive as I can use the notch trowel to make sure its spread even.

Is back buttering the tray advisable?

 

[denso13]

back buttering the tray advisable?

Not really, a good notched bed of adhesive is fine.

 

[foxhole]

Fixed my tray with CT1 to secure cement board , no issues.

 

[Madrab]

I'm just going with the tile adhesive as I can use the notch trowel to make sure its spread even.

Absolutely, no issue using tile adhesive, just that there are now alternatives. - just check the levels of the backer board before the tray is laid to ensure, if needed, the notch is large enough to accommodate any adjustment needed. Obviously if everything is dead level then it won't be as big an issue.

Only other thing to keep in mind is the tray warranty, not using their methods means there is little comeback but that is rarely an issue these days