Glass mosaic in shower - sooper dooper thinset?
We're doing a repair job for a client who has attractive and expensive Walker Zanger glass mosaic tiles in a tub surround. Previous tilesetter used cement board, no waterproofing, mastic and also set the board on top of the tub flange so that the lowest row of tile has no choice but to adhere directly to the fiberglass tub flange.
We reinforced the wall (it was visibly moving) by removing individual tiles, screwing to the studs, and removing the lower 3 rows of tile and re-setting them using thinset.
Now the lowest row is coming off the flange, according to the client.
My question is: Is there a SOOPER DOOPER adhesive or thinset that can handle the rapid expansion glass experiences when it gets hot in a hot shower, handle the wetness, stick to glass and fiberglass both and last long enough for the client to sell the condo in good conscience? (Yes, that the reason we're not just starting over if possible) Oh, and my conscience enters into this equation as well - I don't really want a bandaid that I know won't work, but I guess I am asking for a bandaid that may well work for the foreseeable future.
I had thought of epoxy for bond strength, but glass expands fast and epoxy is very rigid.....
In advance we did forewarn the client that the tile may not bond to the fiberglass, but I'd still like to do right by him if it's possible and we don't have to re-do the whole job...
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