Tile adhesive tips please

[happyhero]

Hi just started tiling today in my bathroom, got myself some good BAL adhesive and I am tiling on to plaster board that has been put on with dot and dab. I have put up a vertical and horizontal batten and worked everything out so I dont end up with awkward tile sizes/cut anywhere, but I am not 100% sure how to work with the adhesive as it is ages since I did it before and dont even know if I knew correctly then.

It is very sodgy stuff and I am putting dolops of it in the area I need ie it is all different levels, so I scrape it down a little and then use the tilers trowel (6mm trowel) to get it level with lines but what am I aiming for, should I scrape it with this trowel so that the bits in between the teeth are almost cleaned off of adhesive so only the lines are left?

Or leave a total thin layer of plaster with the lines on top?

My thinking is it should be easier with fairly big tiles on a plasterboard surface but I am finding I am needing to fiddle too much getting them level, I need some tips.

The adhesive does not seem the easiest stuff to put on walls nicely, ie it needs playing with, I thought it would be eaier to apply like plaster.

When I hold the tiling trowel I hold it slightly angled and scarpe upwards, is this ok?

I am also tiling the shower area, should this area have the tile adhesive put on differently, I ask this as I read some where that there should be no voids left in the shower area, does this mean voids in the adhesive or voids as in cable/pipe channels?

If I could have spent a day with a tiler before hand I reckon I would have learnt so much especially how to put this stuff on.

Any advice and tips would really be appreciated.

 

[Softus]

It is very sodgy stuff and I am putting dolops of it in the area I need ie it is all different levels, so I scrape it down a little and then use the tilers trowel (6mm trowel) to get it level with lines but what am I aiming for, should I scrape it with this trowel so that the bits in between the teeth are almost cleaned off of adhesive so only the lines are left?

Yes. That's the only sure fire way of getting a consistent depth of adhesive bed.

Or leave a total thin layer of plaster with the lines on top?

Wot?

My thinking is it should be easier with fairly big tiles on a plasterboard surface but I am finding I am needing to fiddle too much getting them level, I need some tips.

It takes practise. Draw a couple of plumb lines to work to. Work hard to get the tiles on the bottom row dead level. Use spacers. Work up in a triangular pattern, so that you can control an area of tiles.

The adhesive does not seem the easiest stuff to put on walls nicely, ie it needs playing with, I thought it would be eaier to apply like plaster.

What do you mean "playing with"?

When I hold the tiling trowel I hold it slightly angled and scarpe upwards, is this ok?

Yes, as long as you're consistent with the angle.

I am also tiling the shower area, should this area have the tile adhesive put on differently, I ask this as I read some where that there should be no voids left in the shower area, does this mean voids in the adhesive or voids as in cable/pipe channels?

I don't know - you'll have to ask the author of those words what they meant by them.

If I could have spent a day with a tiler before hand I reckon I would have learnt so much especially how to put this stuff on.

There are short courses you can attend.

Any advice and tips would really be appreciated.

80% preparation, 20% execution.

 

[gcol]

....should I scrape it with this trowel so that the bits in between the teeth are almost cleaned off of adhesive so only the lines are left?

Yes

My thinking is it should be easier with fairly big tiles on a plasterboard surface but I am finding I am needing to fiddle too much getting them level, I need some tips.

If using large tiles then a powdered adhesive is recommended.

The adhesive does not seem the easiest stuff to put on walls nicely, ie it needs playing with, I thought it would be eaier to apply like plaster.

That's pre-mixed for ya. Like bubble gum ain't it?

When I hold the tiling trowel I hold it slightly angled and scarpe upwards, is this ok?

Horizontally is better.

I am also tiling the shower area, should this area have the tile adhesive put on differently, I ask this as I read some where that there should be no voids left in the shower area, does this mean voids in the adhesive or voids as in cable/pipe channels?

The wall should be tanked prior to tiling.

 

[happyhero]

Cheers guys, one other thing, sorry if its a silly question, do you put the adhesive on with the tilers trowel, scarping the lines in as you apply it OR do you put it on with something else and scrape the lines in as a secondary process, hope that makes some sense to you?

 

[Softus]

Personally, the former.

 

[gcol]

Use the notched trowel to apply a dollop of adhesive to the wall, then spread it out.