Tiling FAQs

Before tiling to an anhydrite (or gypsum or calcium sulphate) screed, you must first ensure it is dry. They generally dry at a rate of 1 day per mm of screed thickness for depths up to 40mm, and an additional 2 days per mm for thicknesses thereafter. For example, a 40mm deep screed requires 40 days to dry and a 50mm deep screed requires 60 days. To be sure it is dry, test the screed with a hygrometer meter such as the TRAMEX Hygrohood; readings of 75% RH or lower will mean it’s ready for tiling.

After confirming it is dry, abrade the surface with suitable mechanised equipment to remove any laitance, loose debris and dust, and reveal the aggregate underneath.

The anhydrite screed should then be primed with a single coat of ARDEX P 51 diluted 1:3 with water, applied in one continuous coat using a brush or broom. Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, tile as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to gypsum (or calcium sulphate) floorboards, they must first be primed with a single coat of ARDEX P 51 diluted 1:3 with water, applied in one continuous coat using a brush or broom.

Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, it can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to bitumen adhesive residues, they should be levelled with ARDITEX NA applied 3-6mm deep direct (without priming). It will dry in as little as 3 hours, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

*Internal, dry areas only

Before tiling to asphalt*, check to ensure it has an adequately adhered sand keyed surface. If it is in good condition and is well adhered, it can be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive. If however the sand key is poor or worn away, it should first be primed with ARDEX P 82. Once the ARDEX P 82 is dry, tile as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Sand and cement screeds and concrete can be highly porous and absorb moisture from subsequently applied levelling compounds, which reduces their flow properties.

Before levelling over sand and cement screeds and concrete, prime with single coat of ARDEX P 51 diluted 1:3 with water for sand and cement screeds or 1:2 for concrete and applied with a brush or broom. Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, it can be levelled with an appropriate ARDEX Levelling Compound and then tiled with an ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

If levelling isn’t required, prime existing tiles with a single coat of ARDEX P 4 applied with a short pile roller or paint brush. It will dry after 30-60 minutes, producing a textured-grip surface which can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

If levelling is required on floors, level over existing tiles with ARDITEX NA applied 3mm+ deep direct (without priming). It will dry in as little as 3 hours, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to fibreglass or Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) in swimming pools and spas for example, first roughen the surface with a wire brush or sandpaper. The fibreglass should then be tiled using ARDEX X 60 PU FLEX applied direct (without priming). It will dry in 3 hours and the tiles can then be grouted using an appropriate ARDEX Tile Grout.

Before tiling to plaster, you must first ensure it is at least 4 weeks old and that the total weight of the tiling will not exceed 20kg/m², as recommended by BS 5385. You must then wire brush the surface to remove any dust. The plaster should then be primed with a single coat of ARDEX P 51 diluted 1:3 with water and applied with a brush. Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, tile as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

If levelling isn’t required, prime plywood floors with a single coat of undiluted ARDEX P 51 applied with a brush or broom. Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, it should then be tiled using an ARDEX RAPIDRY FORMULA adhesive such as ARDEX MICROTEC X 7001, ARDEX MICROTEC S 27 or ARDEX MICROTEC S 28.

If levelling is required, level over the plywood with ARDITEX NA applied direct (without priming). It will dry after 3 hours and should then be over sheeted with a suitable mechanically fixed tile backer board, which can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Tiling to plywood walls is no longer recommended under BS 5385-1:2018. Plywood walls should be oversheeted with tile backer board or plasterboard as appropriate for the intended area, and these can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

To tile steel in internal and external locations, including wet areas, use ARDEX X 60 PU FLEX applied direct (without priming). It will dry in 3 hours and can then be grouted using an appropriate ARDEX Tile Grout.

Alternatively, in indoor & dry areas only, prime the steel using ARDEX P 82. Once dry, it can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to painted substrates, the paint should be removed using suitable mechanised equipment to reveal the substrate underneath and prevent any barriers to adhesion. The substrate can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

After installing uncoupling membranes with ARDEX AF 200 PLUS, they can be tiled immediately using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Uncoupling membranes with cavities can be pre-filled to produce a flat surface ideal for tiling. For this application, smooth over the uncoupling matting with ARDITEX NA up to the top of the cavities using a smoothing trowel. ARDITEX NA can be applied thicker if additional levelling is required, but along with the subsequent tile adhesive application, the depth should not exceed 10mm. ARDITEX NA will dry in as little as 3 hours and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to electric underfloor heating systems, the cables should be encapsulated using an appropriate ARDEX Levelling Compound such as ARDITEX NA. ARDITEX NA will dry in as little as 3 hours, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to uneven walls, irregular brickwork/blockwork for example, they should be rendered using ARDEX AM 100 applied 2-30mm thick with a steel trowel. It will set in as little as 2 hours, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling, localised holes and cracks in concrete, sand and cement screeds, steps and window returns, together with gaps around pipework and fittings, should be made good using ARDEX A 46 applied with a steel trowel. It will dry in as little as 4 hours, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

As per BS 5385, the maximum weight restrictions for wall substrates are:

Gypsum plaster: 20kg/m2

Gypsum plasterboard (12.5mm thickness): 32kg/m2

Sand and cement rendering: 64kg/m2

Lightweight foam-cored tile backer boards: 60kg/m2

Glass reinforced cement-based boards: 50kg/m2

Gypsum fibreboards: 40kg/m2

Other rigid tile backer boards: Consult manufacturer

As per BS 5385, the following drying times should be allowed before tiling:


Concrete: at least 6 weeks

Traditional sand and cement screeds: at least 3 weeks

Traditional sand and cement renders: at least 2 weeks

Plaster: at least 4 weeks

These backgrounds shrink as they dry; to avoid the risk of debonding, tiles should be fixed after these times.

Alternatively, drying times can be significantly reduced when ARDEX Screed Cements and Renders are used in the construction process. For example, ARDEX AM 100 Render can be tiled after 2 hours and ARDEX A 38 Screed after 4 hours!

As per BS 5385-3, traditional sand and cement screeds should be at least 21 days old, at which point the underfloor heating can be increased by 5⁰C every day until the maximum water temperature advised by the underfloor heating manufacturer is reached; commissioning can begin much sooner with an ARDEX Screed, in as little as 3 days. The underfloor heating should then be turned off for approximately 24 hours to allow the screed to cool down to room temperature. If site conditions are cool, maintain the screed and room temperature at 15⁰C or just above by adjusting the heat input accordingly. It can then be tiled as normal using the appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling to heated sand and cement screeds, you must first ensure the underfloor heating has been commissioned. As per BS 5385-3, traditional sand and cement screeds should be at least 21 days old, at which point the underfloor heating can be increased by 5⁰C every day until the maximum water temperature advised by the underfloor heating manufacturer is reached; commissioning can begin much sooner with an ARDEX Screed, in as little as 3 days. The underfloor heating should then be turned off for approximately 24 hours to allow the screed to cool down to room temperature. If site conditions are cool, maintain the screed and room temperature at 15⁰C or just above by adjusting the heat input accordingly. It can then be tiled as normal using the appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

The preparation required is dependent on the depth of screed and/or levelling compound required in order to make up the necessary levels and/or falls (which typically range from 1/35 to 1/80):

• Where just a thin smoothing layer of 2-20mm is required, firstly use suitable mechanised equipment to remove any contamination and reveal the aggregate underneath. It should then be levelled with a suitable external levelling compound such as ARDEX K 301


• When up to 50mm is required, first prepare as above and then screed with ARDEX A 38 or ARDEX A 29 bonded with ARDEX A 18


• When over 50mm is required, mechanical preparation is not required and ARDEX A 38 or ARDEX A 29 screed should be used unbonded

Once the screed and/or levelling compound is dry, tile as normal using ARDEX X 78, ARDEX X 78 S or ARDEX X 325 PTB Tile Adhesives.

*Does not include swimming pools

Wet areas should be waterproofed before tiling using ARDEX WPC to protect moisture-sensitive backgrounds behind the tiles, and also prevent moisture-ingress into adjacent rooms. Holes, gaps and joints should be waterproofed using a slump-free mix (MIX ONE) applied with a trowel, which will dry in approximately 1 hour. Overall surface waterproofing can then be achieved with two coats of a flowing/paintable mix (MIX TWO) applied with a paint roller or brush, with 30 minutes allowed between each coat. The second coat will dry in approximately 60 minutes, and can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

The following is a demonstration video for ARDEX WPC:

ARDEX WPC Flexible Rapid Drying Waterproof Protection Coating from ARDEX UK on Vimeo.

*Does not include swimming pools

The underlying substrate in wet areas, or substrates adjoining wet areas, is often moisture-sensitive e.g. plaster, plasterboard and even some proprietary tile backer boards. Even when they’re tiled, water can still get to the background through cementitious grout joints and adhesive bedding, as they’re porous in nature and allow moisture to be absorbed through them. Ultimately, this results in damp and mould; and over time, it can transfer to adjoining rooms and/or cause the tiles to de-bond. As recommended by BS 5385-1: 2018 and BS 5385-4: 2015, ensure wet areas in both domestic and commercial installations are waterproofed (we recommend ARDEX WPC) to prevent unsightly and costly water damage.

To waterproof plywood floors before tiling, install an appropriate waterproof uncoupling mat or waterproof tile backer board. They can then be tiled as normal using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Ready-mixed tile adhesives should only be used to fix mosaics and ceramics up to 300mm x 300mm or porcelain up to 150mm x 150mm. Today’s popular large format tiles can measure 600mm x 300mm or bigger, so ready-mixed tile adhesives should not be used to fix them. Instead, use an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Large format tiles must be solid bed fixed in accordance with BS 5385. To ensure you’re achieving solid bed fixing on large format floor tiles, use a semi-pourable or pourable tile adhesive such as ARDEX X X 325 PTB, ARDEX MICROTEC X 78 or ARDEX MICROTEC X 7001. To ensure you’re achieving solid bed fixing with a slump-free adhesive, ARDEX X 7 or ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 for example, back buttering is usually required.

Ready-mixed tile adhesives should only be used to fix wall tiles. Floor tiles should be fixed with an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

According to The Tile Association, it is the tile manufacturer or supplier that must take responsibility for ensuring their mesh-backed porcelain tile is fit for purpose, and for specifying a compatible class of tile adhesive for their product, as classified in BS EN 12004. Please consult the tile manufacturer/supplier for further guidance.

Today’s large format tiles are not only heavy, but also very dense and can have flat undersides too, making it more difficult for traditional adhesives to grab them. To stop your tiles slipping, fix them with an advanced slip-resistant tile adhesive. ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 for example achieves double the European Standard for slip resistance and can be used to fit all tile sizes without slipping (consideration must still be given to the BS 5385 fixing guidance e.g. when fixing tiles at height).

With standard tile adhesives, you may find there’s not enough time to cut and install your tiles, and so you must remove your applied adhesive and replace it with freshly mixed material; or your adhesive has simply gone off in your bucket and you need to throw it away and mix a fresh batch. This is particularly common in summer, with higher temperatures causing them to skin over much quicker. To reduce waste of skinned over tile adhesive, use one with an extended pot life and open time for better longevity from the very outset. ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 for example has a pot life of 3 hours and an open time of 60 minutes!

When tiling to sand and cement screeds and concrete, the substrate can be dampened with water using a mist sprayer. This will reduce suction from the substrate, and help maintain the open time of all ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesives.

Alternatively, the range of ARDEX MICROTEC Tile Adhesives provide extended-open-times from the outset and on all substrates; ARDEX MICROTEC X 77 for example has an open time of up to 60 minutes!

Under BS 5385, solid bed fixing must be achieved for: all floor tiling; wall tiling with tiles greater than 0.1m² (316mm x 316mm); and all tiling in all wet, external or swimming pool locations. To ensure you’re achieving solid bed fixing on floor tiles, use a semi-pourable or pourable tile adhesive such as ARDEX X X 325 PTB, ARDEX MICROTEC X 78 or ARDEX MICROTEC X 7001. To ensure you’re achieving solid bed fixing on walls, or when using a slump-free adhesive on floors, back buttering is usually required.

To stick down uncoupling membranes such as those by Schluter and Dural, use ARDEX AF 200 PLUS. It is ready-mixed and can be applied using a B1 or 2mm x 6mm v-shaped notch trowel direct (without priming) to plywood, floorboards and dry concrete, as well heated and unheated sand and cement screeds and levelling compounds. After 5-10 minutes, the matting can be installed and then tiled or levelled immediately using an appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive or ARDEX Levelling Compound.

Before sticking an uncoupling mat to an anhydrite (or gypsum or calcium sulphate) screed, you must first ensure it is dry and suitably prepared; please refer to our How do I tile to anhydrite screeds? FAQ for further guidance. In the case of both anhydrite screeds and gypsum floorboards, they must then be primed with a single coat of ARDEX P 51 diluted 1:3 with water, applied in one continuous coat using a brush or broom. Once the ARDEX P 51 is dry, the uncoupling mat should then be fixed using ARDEX AF 200 PLUS or the appropriate ARDEX Cement-Based Tile Adhesive.

Pot life is also known working time, and they both refer to the length of time that the mixed mortar remains usable and workable inside the pot/bucket after it has been mixed.

Open time is the length of time that tile adhesive ribs remain wet and able to receive tiles (before skinning over) after being spread onto the wall or floor.

Adjustment time is the amount of time in which a tile can be adjusted or moved after it has been fixed into the freshly applied tile adhesive.

The best adhesive for tiling depends on the type of tiles you are using and where you will be placing them. To find the right Ardex Tile adhesive for fixing specific branded tiles, you can use our handy Ardex Recommended Adhesive Guide tool, which allows you to input the tile brand and floorcovering type to identify the best Ardex products for your project.

To further assist you with your tiling jobs, we have produced a series of tutorial videos.

Tile Adhesive types are as follows:

Ready Mixed Tile Adhesives

Suitable for fixing ceramic tiles up to 30cmX30cm, mosaic tiles, and some natural stone tiles in dry or wet interiors. This type of tile adhesive is not suitable for porcelain tiles or to be used in power showers or wet rooms. Examples from the Ardex range include:

Ardex D 20 – This ready-mixed wall tile adhesive offers up to 40 minutes of tile adjustability and up to 20 minutes of open time.

Powdered Adhesives

Suitable for fixing most types of tiles, including ceramics, porcelain, and natural stone tiles. This type of tile adhesive can be used on larger format tiles and can be used in wet areas, such as wet rooms and showers. Examples from the Ardex tile adhesives range include:
Ardex X 11 W - This is an enhanced flexible S1 tile adhesive for walls and floors. It has a 2.5 hour pot life and 45-minute open time.
Ardex X 325 PTB – This is a thick bed tile adhesive that can be applied 2-25mm thick to level uneven floors and fix tiles in a single application.
Ardex X 77- This is a MICROTEC® flexible standard set tile adhesive. It has a 3-hour pot life and 60 minute open time.
Ardex X 77 S - This is a MICROTEC® flexible rapid set tile adhesive. Floor tiles can be trafficked and grouted 90 minutes after fixing.
Ardex X 78 - This is a MICROTEC® flexible standard set semi-pourable floor tile adhesive. It has a 3-hour pot life and 60-minute open time.
Ardex X 78 S - This is a MICROTEC® flexible rapid set semi-pourable floor tile adhesive. Tiles can be trafficked and grouted 90 minutes after fixing.
Ardex X 7 - This is a flexible standard set tile adhesive with a 5-hour pot life and extended 30 minute open time.
Ardex X R S1 - This is a flexible rapid set tile adhesive. Tiles can be trafficked and grouted after 3 hours.
Ardex X 60 PU Flex - This is a polyurethane reaction resin tile adhesive. It’s suitable for problematic substrates such as fibreglass, steel & PVC coverings
Always follow the instructions on the packet. Check out our tutorial videos for additional guidance on how to use Ardex tile adhesives and other products.

Cement-based Adhesives

ARDEX flexible tile adhesives feature standard sets with excellent slump resistance and suitability for use with most tile types and sizes, as well as rapid sets which allow grouting to commence in as little as 2 hours and that mix to a semi-pourable or pourable consistency ideal for floor tiling. Examples include:
Ardex X 11 W - This is an enhanced flexible S1 tile adhesive for walls and floors. It has a 2.5 hour pot life and 45-minute open time.
Ardex X 325 PTB – This is a thick bed tile adhesive that can be applied 2-25mm thick to level uneven floors and fix tiles in a single application.
Ardex X 7 – Suitable for both wall and floor tiles and use with underfloor heating. Used in internal areas, swimming pools and external areas with the addition of Ardex E 90 Mortar Admix.
Ardex X R S1– This is a flexible rapid set tile adhesive. Tiles can be trafficked and grouted after 3 hours. Ideal for solid bed fixing large format tiles due to the semi-pourable consistency.
Always follow the instructions on the packet. Check out our tutorial videos for additional guidance on how to use Ardex tile adhesives and other products.


Thinset

This is the most commonly-used tile adhesive. From the Ardex range, you have a variety of options, and the best one for you will depend on the tiling project you are working on. Some of our Thinset tile adhesives are:

Ardex X 11 W - This is an enhanced flexible S1 tile adhesive for walls and floors. It has a 2.5 hour pot life and 45-minute open time.
Ardex X 325 PTB Ardex X 77 - This is a MICROTEC® flexible standard set tile adhesive. It has a 3-hour pot life and 60 minute open time.
Ardex X 77 S - This is a MICROTEC® flexible rapid set tile adhesive. Floor tiles can be trafficked and grouted 90 minutes after fixing.
Ardex X 78 - This is a MICROTEC® flexible standard set semi-pourable floor tile adhesive. It has a 3-hour pot life and 60-minute open time.
Ardex X 78 S - This is a MICROTEC® flexible rapid set semi-pourable floor tile adhesive. Tiles can be trafficked and grouted 90 minutes after fixing.
Ardex X 7 – Suitable for both wall and floor tiles and use with underfloor heating. Used in internal areas, swimming pools and external areas with the addition of Ardex E 90 Mortar Admix.
Ardex X R S1– This is a flexible rapid set tile adhesive. Tiles can be trafficked and grouted after 3 hours. Ideal for solid bed fixing large format tiles due to the semi-pourable consistency.
Ardex X 60 PU Flex - This is a polyurethane reaction resin tile adhesive. It’s suitable for problematic substrates such as fibreglass, steel & PVC coverings
Ardex D 20 – This ready-mixed wall tile adhesive offers up to 40 minutes of tile adjustability and up to 20 minutes of open time.

These adhesives are designed to provide advanced properties of adhesion and flexibility, making them suitable for setting porcelain, quarry, ceramic, mosaic, and most natural stone tiles in interior or exterior floor and wall applications.

Always follow the instructions on the packet. Check out our tutorial videos for additional guidance on how to use Ardex tile adhesives and other products.

Epoxy

Durable and Stain resistant. Ardex Epoxy products:

Ardex WA – Ideal for use in areas where high standards of hygiene and chemical resistance are needed, and available in white or grey.

No, you should not mix tile adhesive with cement. Both are used for sticking tiles, but are two very different products and mixing them may result in unstable bonding. This is because mixing two different types of glues can change their chemical properties.

Always follow the instructions on the packet, and for additional guidance, check out our tutorial videos or come to one of our tiling courses for a more in-depth learning experience.

It depends on the tiling project you are working on. Here are some pros and cons of each type, to help you make the right choice.

Tile Adhesive		Cement
Pros	Cons	Pros	Cons
Tile adhesive has high bonding strength	It is more expensive to buy than cement.	Less expensive than tile adhesive	Relatively poor bonding strength compared to tile adhesive
It is lighter than cement, leading to a lighter load on the building structure			It is dusty and dirty to mix cement
It can easily hold larger tiles and stones			As it dries, cement contracts. This may cause shrinkage, and voids underneath the tiles, leading to an unstable floor prone to cracking and other damage
Low dust and a clean working space
No shrinkage or gaps, resulting in a stronger and more reliable hold.

For most tiling jobs, we recommend using an Ardex tile adhesive over cement as it will provide a superior bond, and ensure your tiles stay in place for many years to come.

To help you choose the right tile adhesive for your project, check out our Ardex Recommended Adhesive Guide, which is an interactive tool where you can input the tile manufacturer and tile type and it will output our recommended product for those specific tiles. If you need further guidance, you can check out our Help Centre, watch our tutorial videos or even come along to one of our tiling courses to learn from professionals.

The answer to this question is dependent on a number of factors:

• The surface you are tiling to


• The material the tiles are made of


• The size (and weight) of the tiles you wish to stick

We recommend using our Ardex Recommended Adhesive Guide, which is an interactive tool where you can input the tile manufacturer and tile type and it will output our recommended product for those specific tiles.

For specific guidance, you can ask our experts a question via Whatsapp. We even have tutorial videos available online, or if you really want to get the best out of Ardex products, you can come along to one of our training centres and learn first-hand from the experts.

In general, cement-based tile grouts are the most commonly used and are suitable for the vast majority of applications. ARDEX-FLEX Flexible Tile Grouts can be used with almost all tile types including non-moisture-sensitive natural stone and come in 35 different colours to suit any installation; use ARDEX-FLEX FS for joints up to 4mm wide or ARDEX-FLEX FL for joints 3-15mm wide.

For areas where chemically resistant or waterproof joints are required, or where the client is looking for a reduced maintenance schedule by minimising the build-up of dirt, fungi and mould, opt for an easy-to-apply epoxy grout such as ARDEX EG 8 PLUS.

When installing moisture-sensitive natural stone, use ARDEX MG, our RAPIDRY Technology tile grout which helps to eliminate the risk of water staining and warping.

Some fixers find their tile grouts can appear streaky. To avoid this, use ARDEX-FLEX FS or ARDEX-FLEX FL; these tile grouts are uniformly blended during the manufacturing process, resulting in a consistent mix mortar and, ultimately, a streak-free finish on application.

Where a cement-based tile grout has already been used, mould build-up can be reduced by maintaining a regular cleaning regime. To minimise mould and bacteria growth from the outset, opt for an easy-to-apply epoxy resin grout such as ARDEX EG 8 PLUS; it creates impervious joints, making it much more resistant to fungi, mould and bacteria than traditional cement-based tile grouts.

Efflorescence is a naturally occurring and well-documented issue, affecting many cement-based products (not just tile grouts) due to their water and soluble lime content. It happens during the drying phase, with the soluble lime depositing on the surface as a dry white powder as the water evaporates. In tiling, the moisture can come from the tile grout, adhesive bed, underlying substrate and even the atmospheric conditions of the room!

Efflorescence is aggravated by excessively damp conditions after installation and by prolonged delays in drying out. The modern trend of large format tiles means there are now fewer grout joints over the tiled area and drying is slowed; it is therefore not unexpected for efflorescence to occur.

Efflorescence cannot be avoided; however, steps can be taken so as not to exacerbate the problem: 1) Do not exceed the water requirements of the tile grout 2) Do not use excessive water during cleaning down and 3) Warm and dry conditions following installation will assist the drying process.

Fortunately, where you do experience efflorescence, it can be removed easily using an appropriate proprietary cleaner designed for this purpose.

The most likely cause of a tile grout turning white is efflorescence, which is a naturally occurring and well-documented issue affecting many cement-based products. For information on how to minimise or remove efflorescence, please refer to our How do I stop efflorescence? FAQ.

Tile grouts can have a significant impact on the resulting aesthetic of both the tiles and the room. The ARDEX-FLEX Tile Grout range is available in 35 colours to suit any installation; and whether you’re looking to complement or contrast with the tiles, free colour stick samples can be ordered online so you can test the look before purchasing.

Traditional epoxy tile grouts can quickly stick to the tile face, and as a result, many tilers clean them off too early to prevent this from happening, which often results in some of the soft grout mortar coming out of the joints. Alternatively, ARDEX EG 8 PLUS Epoxide Tile Grout can be left on the tile surface for up to 60 minutes, allowing the grout to harden adequately, and can still be cleaned off with a normal sponge! For best results, use a fine mist spray to soften the residues first.

To prevent mould growth in silicone sealants, use one that contains a fungicide such as ARDEX ST.

The main issue associated with fixing natural stone is determining if they’re moisture-sensitive or not and, following that, using the correct products to fix them. If the stone is moisture-sensitive, moisture from traditional adhesives and grouts can migrate into the stone and cause discolouration, staining and even warping. If you’re fixing moisture-sensitive stone, or if you’re unsure, use an ARDEX Natural Stone Tile Adhesive and ARDEX MG Tile Grout. These products incorporate ARDEX RAPIDRY FORMULA Technology to ‘lock’ the mix water within the mortar and eliminate the risk of water staining. The installation should then be finished with ARDEX ST Silicone Sealant.

As per BS 5385, the mesh-backing on a stone wall tile must be removed, e.g. using a grinder, so that no more than 25% of its back is covered with the mesh; if the mesh cannot be removed, the stone should be mechanically fixed. With mesh-backed stone floor tiles, all of the mesh backing must be removed. The tiles can then be fixed using the appropriate ARDEX Natural Stone Tile Adhesive.

Before tiling a patio area, the concrete base should be prepared; please refer to our "How do I prepare a concrete base before tiling a patio area?" FAQ for further information. The tiles should then be fixed using ARDEX X 32 which can be applied 3-30mm thick, making it ideal for thick bed applications and for uncalibrated stone.