Wall tiling (rooms, kitchens and bathrooms)

The work, step by step

General guidance based on the manufacturer data sheets. Site conditions differ: confirm the system with MCT before you start. Where we do not name a product, ask us and we will confirm the right one.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check and prepare the wall

   The wall must be clean and free from grease, oil and loose particles, and as true and flat as possible. Fill blowholes with a SikaTop or MonoTop mortar. Wet absorbent concrete to a saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition before tiling (SikaCeram-90 PK p.2). Cement-based walls must be at least 28 days old, and plaster must be at least 10 mm thick with no more than 5 % moisture (SikaCeram-205 PK p.2).

2. 2

   Step 2: Waterproof wet walls first

   In the shower and splash zones, apply a waterproof coating listed for wet areas under tiling (SikaTop-550 Seal p.1). If you will tile on vertical surfaces over it, ask us first. The data sheet asks for Sika's advice (SikaTop-550 Seal p.2). The bathroom waterproofing guide gives the full build-up.

   SikaTop-550 Seal Sika

   As a waterproof lining for water retaining structures. (TDS p.1)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   +5°C min. / 40°C max (TDS p.2)

3. 3

   Step 3: Dry indoor walls: ceramic tiles

   SikaCeram-51 is for high-absorption ceramic tiles on concrete, cement mortar or brick, indoors (SikaCeram-51 p.1). Do not use it in wet areas, outside, over old tiles, for porcelain or stone, or for tiles over 60 cm (SikaCeram-51 p.2). SikaCeram-90 PK fixes wall tiles, mosaics, marble and terrazzo tiles, directly on cement screeds, concrete or lime mortar (SikaCeram-90 PK p.1).

   SikaCeram-51 Sika Request a quotation

   Suitable for bonding high absorption ceramic tiles Indoor application without primer over concrete, cement mortars, bricks Suitable for floor and wall applications (TDS p.1)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   +5 °C min. / +35 °C max (TDS p.2)

   Pack

   Grey color - 25 kg bag

   SikaCeram-90 PK Sika

   SikaCeram®-90 PK is suitable for fixing: Wall and floor tiles, Insulation and acoustic tiles, Marbles and terrazzo tiles, Mosaics. (TDS p.1)

   Pack

   20 kg & 40 kg bag

4. 4

   Step 4: Gypsum plaster or gypsum board walls

   Use SikaCeram-103 PK. Its data sheet lists gypsum substrates in dry indoor areas, as well as ceramic, porcelain and marble (SikaCeram-103 PK p.1). Do not use SikaCeram-90 PK directly on gypsum or gypsum board (SikaCeram-90 PK p.2).

   SikaCeram-103 PK Sika Request a quotation

   SikaCeram®-103 PK is suitable for bonding all kinds of ceramic tiles, porceline tile and marbel stones. (TDS p.1)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   +5 °C min. / +35 °C max (TDS p.2)

   Pack

   20 kg

5. 5

   Step 5: Wet walls, porcelain and bigger wall tiles

   SikaCeram-205 PK is a C2TE adhesive for indoor walls, including large porcelain (SikaCeram-205 PK p.1). It keeps more than 1.0 N/mm² adhesion after water immersion (SikaCeram-205 PK p.2). Back-butter tiles larger than 300 × 300 mm (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3).

   SikaCeram-205 PK Sika

   SikaCeram®-205 PK has following uses: Laying all kind of ceramic tiles, even grès porcelain in large size, Laying marbles and natural stone, provided not sensitive to water, Indoor walls and floors, outdoor floors, Laying on water-based heating floors, Indoor over-tiling application on old tiles,… (TDS p.1)

6. 6

   Step 6: Fix the tiles

   Spread only the area you can tile in 15–30 minutes. Press each tile in firmly with a twisting action. Use a V-notched trowel for small tiles and a square-notched trowel for bigger ones (SikaCeram-90 PK p.2). Wait at least 24 hours before grouting (SikaCeram-205 PK p.3).

7. 7

   Step 7: Grout and seal the edges

   Cement grout suits dry and wet walls. For wet areas, mix it with 0.3 litre of Sika Latex instead of plain water (SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK p.1, p.2). Use epoxy grout for showers and kitchens (SikaCeram-850 Design p.1). Seal wall-to-bath and worktop joints with a sanitary silicone (Sika Sanisil p.1).

   SikaCeram-600 Tile Grout PK Sika Request a quotation

   For filling the spaces of homogeneous tile, ceramic tile, marble, granite, mosaic, and natural stone, over a range of applications as below: Floor and wall, Interior and exterior, Dry and wet area, For dry area, mix SikaCeram®-600 Tile Grout PK with water, Do not mix the fresh material to previou… (TDS p.1,2)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   15 °C to 40 °C (TDS p.2)

   Pack

   1 kg Pouch

   SikaLatex PK Sika

   SikaLatex® PK is used as bonding agent and sitemix mortar admixture for the following applications: Grouts and screeds, Patch repair mortars, Mansonry mortars, Renders, Tile adhesives. (TDS p.1)

   Pack

   05 ltr jerry can 20 ltr plastic can 200 ltr drum 1000 ltr IBC Bulk supply in tanker is…

   SikaCeram-850 Design Sika

   Grouting tiles for the following interior residential and commercial building applications: Wet rooms, Shopping malls, Hospitals, Commercial / Industrial kitchens, Food industry, Swimming pools (indoors). (TDS p.1)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   +5 °C min. / +35 °C max (TDS p.2)

   Pack

   400 ml double side-by-side cartridge

   Sika Sanisil Sika Request a quotation

   Sanitary or other sealing applications where mildew and fungus resistance is required Domestic kitchens For interior and exterior use (TDS p.1)

   Temperature stated in TDS

   +5 °C min. / +40 °C max (TDS p.2)

   Pack

   300 ml cartridge: 12 cartridges per box

Steps and product facts are taken from the manufacturer data sheets (page cited). Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use; quantities follow a site visit or photos. General guidance: check the data sheet or ask us before you start.