Looking for a tile adhesive for quick and easy fixing of large format tiles? Look no further, as BAL have launched their brand new XL Floor One adhesive. As a replacement for their Pourable One tile adhesive, XL Floor One can also be used as a PTB with a bed depth of up to 25mm in one application. It can even be used for patch repair and levelling small areas.
The new adhesive can be used indoors and outside, in both wet and dry environments including wet rooms and swimming pools. With extended open and working times, it allows allows bigger mixes and longer runs – without worry the product will go off. And the new and improved formulation means back-buttering is not always needed on flat surfaces.
Here's what BAL have to say about it: "XL Floor One provides the perfect answer for fixers installing large format natural stone and tiles onto internal or external screeds – including tampered external concrete. XL Floor One is perfect for most types of substrates and is especially recommended for tiles/slabs of uneven thickness such as slate, and difficult backgrounds which may cause traditional adhesive to crack or de-bond from the tile. One white colour, XL Floor One can be grouted in as little as 6 hours – a true 'overnighter'."
Features & Benefits of BAL XL Floor One
- Extended working time of up to 1.5 hours
- Extended open time of up to 1 hour
- Semi-rapid setting - grout in 6 hours
- Ideal for most large tile types including porcelain, natural stone & external tiles
- Allows solid-bed fixing without back buttering
- Removes the need for additional leveller with a bed depth of up to 25mm
- Flexible and high strength
- Can be used in dry/wet and interior/exterior installations including swimming pool bases/wet room floors
How to use BAL XL Floor One
- Into a mixing bucket, add approximately 5 parts powder to 1 part clean cold water by weight. Never add more water than recommended as this may lead to excess shrinkage or debonding.
- Mix until lump-free mortar achieved.
- Allow mixed adhesive to stand for 2 minutes before remixing for 30 seconds.
- Apply adhesive to the floor surface and comb to required bed thickness ensuring the ribs of adhesive all run in one direction. The adhesive may be applied to a bed thickness of 3 – 25mm. If fixing large/heavily patterned tiles, apply additional adhesive to tile reverse.
- For mosaics: using a rubber tile float, press mosaics into adhesive and beat into required position. For tiles: press tile firmly into the ribs of the adhesive and into position, with slight twisting/sliding action to ensure optimum adhesive contact.
- Fix mosaics/tiles before adhesive forms skin. If skin has formed, remove adhesive and apply fresh layer). Discard any adhesive that has begun to set. Do not add further water.
- Occasionally lift a mosaic/tile to check adhesive contact area. When solid bed fixing, leave no voids behind tile.
- Leave adequate joints between individual tiles. Install movement joints to BS 5385, Parts 1-5. 6. Clean off surplus adhesive from tile face and between tile joints before the adhesive has dried.
- Wait minimum 6 hours (at 20°C) after tile fixing. Select a BAL cementitious grout such as BAL MICROMAX2 GROUT or epoxy grout i.e. BAL ABSOLUTE GROUT. If using paper-faced mosaics: Pre-grout sheet and remove surplus. Place in position and tap down to achieve full contact with adhesive. Ensure joints between sheets match joints between mosaic tesserae (i.e. staggered). Wet paper and carefully remove before adhesive fully hardens. Clean off surplus adhesive and grout from mosaic face. Finish grouting.
- Fill movement joints with suitable sealant i.e. BAL MICROMAX SILICONE SEALANT. However, do NOT use on sensitive surfaces that could react to acetic acids released during cure. For intermediate movement joints, a more durable hardwearing material may be needed e.g. an epoxy polysulphide sealant or a suitable pre-formed movement joint strip.
See the BAL XL Floor One technical data sheet for detailed installation instructions.