Bekron is a leading name in the building and tiling industry, recognized for its specialized adhesives and grouts. The brand offers reliable solutions for various construction needs, particularly excelling in applications for ceramic, stoneware, and porcelain tiles. Bekron has built a reputation for delivering quality and dependable products to professional and DIY users alike, ensuring durable and aesthetically pleasing results for tiling projects.
Understanding Bekron Products
Bekron offers a comprehensive range of products for tiling and construction. Primary categories include tile adhesives, formulated for securing different types of tiles to various surfaces. Specialized grouts fill spaces between installed tiles, providing structural integrity and a finished appearance. Bekron also provides other solutions, such as primers that enhance adhesion and waterproofing agents for moisture-prone areas.
Surface Preparation for Tiling with Bekron
Proper surface preparation is crucial for successful tiling with Bekron products. The surface must be clean, free from dust, grease, loose particles, or other contaminants that could hinder adhesion. Remove old paint, gypsum plaster, or other coverings, ensuring at least 80% of the surface is exposed.
Repair any cracks, holes, or unevenness with appropriate patching compounds. The surface should be level to within acceptable tolerances, typically 1/4 inch in 10 feet for smaller tiles. For porous or challenging substrates, applying a suitable primer can significantly improve the bond.
Mixing Bekron Tile Adhesive
Mixing Bekron tile adhesive correctly ensures optimal performance and workability. Begin by adding the specified amount of clean, cold water into a mixing bucket, always referring to the manufacturer’s guidelines for the precise water-to-powder ratio. Gradually add the powdered adhesive to the water, mixing continuously with a low-speed electric drill fitted with a paddle mixer.
This controlled mixing prevents lumps and ensures a homogeneous, smooth paste. After the initial mix, allow the adhesive to stand for approximately 5 to 10 minutes; this “slake time” permits chemical additives to fully dissolve. A final brief stir will then achieve the ideal consistency, ready for application.
Applying Bekron Tile Adhesive
Once the adhesive is properly mixed, apply it to the prepared surface using a notched trowel. Hold the trowel at a 60-degree angle to create uniform ridges in a single direction, which promotes full contact and air release when tiles are set. For larger tiles, or for exterior applications, back-butter the back of the tile with a thin layer of adhesive in addition to applying it to the substrate, ensuring at least 90% adhesive coverage.
Set each tile into the wet adhesive, pressing firmly and wiggling it slightly to ensure proper bedding and collapse the adhesive ridges. Use tile spacers to maintain consistent grout lines, typically leaving a joint of at least 2mm. Regularly check for levelness and alignment using a straightedge, making any adjustments while the adhesive is still workable.
Grouting with Bekron
Grouting should only commence after the tile adhesive has fully cured, which typically takes at least 24 to 48 hours depending on product specifics and environmental conditions. Prepare the Bekron grout mixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring a consistent, workable paste. Apply the grout into the tile joints using a rubber float, pressing firmly and moving diagonally across the tiles to fully pack the joints and remove excess material from the tile surface. After a short drying period, usually 15 minutes, clean off the remaining excess grout from the tile faces using a damp sponge, rinsing the sponge frequently with clean water. Once the grout has sufficiently set, a slight haze may remain, which can be polished away with a clean, dry cloth or a specialized haze remover the following day.
Tips for Success and Troubleshooting
Achieving optimal results with Bekron products involves careful attention to environmental conditions and common pitfalls. Maintain ambient and surface temperatures between 10°C and 21°C during installation and for at least 48 hours afterward, as cool temperatures and high humidity can significantly extend curing times for both adhesive and grout. Avoid common mistakes such as insufficient adhesive coverage, which can lead to loose or cracked tiles, or grouting too soon, which compromises the adhesive’s bond. Always allow the adhesive to cure completely before introducing moisture or foot traffic. Wearing gloves and ensuring good ventilation are also important safety considerations during the entire tiling process.