Holey Thinset Batman!

[snorky18]

So I've read lots on this forum about mixing your thinset at low RPM (preferably 200-300 RPM) and using certain types of paddles in order to make sure you don't introduce too much air into the mix.

My question is, is the amount of air bubbles/voids in this thinset too much, as in enough to weaken it?

Or am I the only guy who's ever let a lump of it harden just so I could break it apart and look at it?

[sandbagger]

I think the question is not WILL it weaken, but HOW MUCH? Better yet, should I worry about it? That's all you really care about, but unfortunately I don't have that answer. (if that's a premium thinset, my inclination is to say "no.")

[snorky18]

you're right about the "Should I worry about it", as that really is all I care about.

It is a premium dry set. Mapei Kerabond mixed with water.

[ddmoit]

Or am I the only guy who's ever let a lump of it harden just so I could break it apart and look at it?

I very much doubt it.

I don't think you can deduce anything from that lump. First, I can't tell how thick it is, but my guess is that it is somewhat thicker than 1/4", which is the maximum reasonable thickness for thinset under your tile.

Additionally, I doubt that lump was subjected to the pressure of being troweled, or the pressure of residing under a tile that is pressed firmly into place.

Finally, I suspect that a premium thinset would have to be way off it's usual performance numbers to fail in an otherwise good tile installation.

Of course, all of this is pure speculation on my part.

[Splinter]

Daniel,

You're a civil engineer, aren't you?

[cx]

Originally Posted by Daniel

Or am I the only guy who's ever let a lump of it harden just so I could break it apart and look at it?

Naaa, we do it on a pretty regular basis, actually, Daniel. How you think we know VersaBond will set up quite well sealed inside a couple ZipLock baggies?

[snorky18]

Yes Alex, I'm a civil. And a bit of a perfectionist sometimes.

Sometimes that's good, sometimes not.

Things bother me that no one else will ever notice...

Some of them matter, most of them don't.