Bond It Aqua-Tile Water Resistant Wall Tile Adhesive

• Suitable For: adhering tiles in wet environments
• Area of use: INT
• Application Method: trowel
• Time to full cure: 24 - 72 hours
• Volume: 3.75kg, 7.5kg, 15kg
• Container Type: tub
• Type: adhesive
• Colour: off white
• Brand: Bond It
• Manufactuer: Bond It
• Box Size: 1

AQUA-TILE is designed for fixing all types of ceramic wall tiles, including mosaics and vitrified tiles. It is perfect for use in interior spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, and shower areas. This adhesive can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including gypsum plaster, cement fibreboard, existing tiles, cement render, concrete blockwork, timber panels, and plywood composite boards. AQUA-TILE offers excellent grip, often eliminating the need for battens or spacers during installation.

Preparation
Ensure the substrate is clean, stable, and free from dust, oil, grease, and loose or flaking coatings. The surface must also be sufficiently level to ensure the adhesive thickness does not exceed 3mm. For rough or uneven surfaces, use a suitable filler or plaster to level the area, allowing it to dry before applying AQUA-TILE in a 2-3mm layer. Porous surfaces should be primed prior to application. PVA is not recommended. Use products like Bond It PRIMER & FLEXIBLE ADMIXTURE.

• Plaster: Ensure plaster is dry and has developed enough strength to support the weight of the tiles (at least 4 weeks). Tiles should only be fixed to the finish coat. Replace old or decaying plaster, and apply a bonding agent to dusty or friable plaster before use.
• Gypsum Finishing Plaster: Should be at least 4-6 weeks old, thoroughly dry, and cleaned of dust, efflorescence, and loose material. Porous masonry must be primed with Bond It PRIMER & FLEXIBLE ADMIXTURE. The maximum tile and adhesive weight on plaster is 20Kg per m².
• Cement Render: Must be sound, dry, and at least 2 weeks old before application.
• Sheets and Boards: Wood-based surfaces must be dry, sealed on all exposed faces and edges, and primed with an appropriate primer. Timber boards should be waterproof-rated, 15mm thick, and screw-fixed at 150mm centers to ensure stability. All boards must be level, with no protruding edges, and installed with a 0.5 to 1mm gap to prevent expansion stress.
• Painted Surfaces: Check the adhesion of the paint. If loose, remove the coating. Hard gloss paints are generally acceptable but should be scored to provide a key and reduce drying times. Emulsion paints, limewash, or similar coatings must be removed.

Application
AQUA-TILE should be applied with a notched trowel (5mm x 5mm at 10-25mm centers) to create a ribbed bed on the wall. Firmly bed tiles with a twisting and sliding motion to ensure full contact. Occasionally remove a tile to check bedding standards. For studded tiles, use a trowel with larger or more closely spaced notches, or butter the tiles with adhesive before placing them on the combed bed. Tiles can be adjusted up to 10 minutes after initial fixing. Do not apply more adhesive than can be tiled over within 15 minutes (around 1m²). The final adhesive bed should be 2-3mm deep, and grout joints should be at least 2mm, unless self-spacing tiles are used. Clean any residue from tile faces with a moist cloth and rake out excess adhesive from grout joints. Avoid using the “spotting” or “blobbing” method to fix tiles. For tiles larger than 250 x 300mm, use a cement-based powder tile adhesive like Bond It CTA FLEXIBLE.

Open Time
The open time for the exposed adhesive bed is approximately 15 minutes, depending on conditions. Do not apply more adhesive than can be used within this period.

Drying Time
The final set will occur after 24-72 hours, though drying times may be extended on impervious surfaces.

Grouting
Grouting can begin once the tile bed has set enough, which can range from 24 hours on porous surfaces (like plaster) to up to 3 days on impermeable surfaces (such as existing tiles or waterproof boards).

Limitations
AQUA-TILE is not suitable for use in swimming pools or areas subject to constant water immersion, nor with porcelain tiles. It is also not recommended for large format tiles.