Project - Almost done?

[jadnashua]

HardieBacker is less than 1/2" thick at 0.42" or a little more than 13/32".

It probably isn't a great idea to try to sand the paper off of drywall. If it has excessive drywall compound, that can come off.

[Kman]

One of the very reasons I don't use Hardibacker on walls.

[Canaris]

If you do remove the paper,seal it with coupla coats of oil primer or Zinsser spray oil primer.

[VToutdoors]

Didnt sand down the drywall. Ended up just feathering the seam with thinset. Came out nice. Thanks for the help.

[VToutdoors]

Does anyone do anything prior to installing marble hex that comes glued on a mesh backing to improve it adhering to thinset?

I'm installing a 2" hex on mesh. The tile comes from Castelli Marble out of Clevelant Ohio. Im cutting it on a small tile saw and no real issue ungluing. If you leave a cut piece in a bucket of water it does slowly fall apart.
Some tiles seem to be coated with more glue than others.

My concern is the glue acting as a barrier inhibiting Laticrete 254 platinum from adhering to the tiles.

Any tips or thoughts would be appreciated.

[VToutdoors]

Here is a photo if the glue on the back if the tile after the mesh was been pulled off

[JerseyDIYguy]

You can back butter the sheets of tiles before applying thinset to the wall or floor surface. That way you'll maximize coverage on the back of the tiles. You really just need to fill in all the "holes" in the plastic mesh flush with the top of the mesh. You don't need the thinset to go above the mesh.

[VToutdoors]

Even if there is glue covering the back of the tile, in the holes of the mesh

[JerseyDIYguy]

If the contact area blocked by adhesive is really that bad you realistically only have two choices: Remove the bad tile(s) from the mesh and clean off the adhesive, or return the tiles and use something else.

[John Bridge]

Hi Adam,

I've had the problem a number of times over the years. I have almost always refused to install tile that is that badly smeared with a water soluble glue. There no practical way to ensure a permanent bond.

Secondly, with mosaic tiles (two inches or smaller) the grout locks in the tile and bonds to the thinset. In the case of your tiles that can't happen because the glue is spread over the tile backs and across the grout joints as well.

If you have already installed the tile, hope for the best.

[Karls tile Inc]

When you comb the thin set use the flat side of the trowel to knock down the ridges then set the tile in the thin set.This will give you 100% coverage.

[VToutdoors]

Morning Everyone,
I have been doing a few tests. The glue soften with water, but it is not water soluble.

John, there are a few areas where the glue is between tiles, but I've cleaned those areas up. I should be able to have thinset lock the tiles in quite well. I'm hoping to get in touch with the Branch manager today of the tile supply store.

I did contact the manufacturer who said the fiberglass mesh helps hold the tiles in place. I dont buy that, but they did say that my choice of thinset was very good.

[VToutdoors]

Back side of the tile. Sorry for not posting earlier.

[Houston Remodeler]

I'd be happy flattening the ridges and setting those tiles as they are shown

[VToutdoors]

Good Morning,

Update to the glue situation. Spoke with the manufacturer, Castelli Tile out of Ohio, they stated that 70% of the back of the tiles are only cover with glue. I told them 100%. Their answer was then that the fiberglass mesh actually reinforces the tiles bond to the thinset.

Contacted Best Tile, tile supply store, who stated that the backs of the tiles should not be covered with glue. Sent them photos and they immediately told me to not install the floor, they would be looking at the National stock and calling me back. Apparently the batch that I have is defect and they are giving me a 100% refund even though the tiles are dry fitted to the bathroom and cut.

Got a sample of Daltiles marble mosaic. Definitely glue on the back, but no where near the gluebcoverage that these tiles have.

Thank you for the advice guys. One question, what ridges are you talking about flattening?

Adam