Tiling failure on a felt roof

Joined
29 Sep 2009
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
West Midlands
Country
United Kingdom
Hi. I joined just now after being directed to the site via google.
Help Please!
6 years ago in July I built a balcony 4m x 1m and had it felted and then ceramic tiled it using Nicobond Rapidflex flexible ahesive. I was told to use the Rapidflex adhesive as a grout. (I now know this was a mistake- Nicobond do not recommend this and make a specialist flexible grout). 6 years on some of the grout has cracked. When removing the 'grout' to replace with the proper stuff, I found tiles are loose - they were only held together by the "grout". The adhesive has stuck to the felt ok but has come away from the tile. There is virtually none of the adhesive left on the tile itself and the surface immediately under the tile is very loose. When the loose stuff is brushed away the rest of the adhesive seems ok and is stuck pretty well to the flat roof. I obviously have to re-do the work and do not want another failure, so I have contacted Technical at Nicobond and other felt roofing and adhesive firms but cannot get a reason for the failing. It is similar to the effect that frost has on concrete, but the adhesive is frostproof. I would appreciate advice from anyone who has experience a similar failing please. I have photo's but as this is my first post I am not sure how to post these!!
 
Sponsored Links
so youve tiled onto a FELT roof?

im suprised it lasted 6 years to be honest, and im very suprised the manufacturers said this was acceptable....

i for one would love to see photos
 
Hi. Thanks for prompt response. Nicobond Rapidflex was recommended being a flexible adhesive. Since the failure their technical guy has suggested relaying using same adhesive but using a 'disconnecting sheet' on the roof surface. However he can not offer any advice as to why the tiles have come away, even though I said that I may have taken too long to lay tiles after mixing the adhesive. It was a very hot day. Can't see how to send the pics. Isee 'upload pictures' above but how do I ensure they are sent to the right place?/
Thanks.
 
Sponsored Links
Hi. Thanks for prompt response. Nicobond Rapidflex was recommended being a flexible adhesive. Since the failure their technical guy has suggested relaying using same adhesive but using a 'disconnecting sheet' on the roof surface. However he can not offer any advice as to why the tiles have come away, even though I said that I may have taken too long to lay tiles after mixing the adhesive. It was a very hot day. Can't see how to send the pics. Isee 'upload pictures' above but how do I ensure they are sent to the right place?/
Thanks.

whats under the felt?

freddiestwin has given you a link to show you how to do the photos.
 
4x2 rafters supporting 18/20mm exterior ply base with 25mm Celotex and another layer of ply.

I realise there is movement but all seems to have been ok; certainly the adhesive has stuck well to the mineral felt and no tiles have cracked, but it is the failure of the top few mm of the adhesive which is the puzzle.

I will try to post the pics. Thanks.
 
I am amazed you found a supplier prepared to recommend a fixing method for fixing ceramic tiles to a felt roof (was it the manufacturer who recommended it or a supplier etc?). Frankly, I suspect we (the forum) can only really guess as to why the grout failed, I expect there are all sorts of various technical reasons for it such as excessive movement, the deck flexing, the felt, the preparation etc etc or a combination of those plus many others. there are so many factors involved you would need to employ the adhesive boffin's from BAL's research department or similar to tell you. The techy guys on the phones will not be able to offer reasons for its failure as it is not something their products are designed to do. Following your PM to me, in about 10 years of researching, I am yet to find a manufacturer of adhesive to recommend their adhesive for fitting ceramic tiles to felt. It would be naive of you to think that if you re-fix the tiles to the roof you will not be doing it again in a few years or more or less. So you must decide if it is worth doing it again.
 
apart from the madness of the tiling onto the felt im going with my first thoughts still, wrong adhesive
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top