DIY & Home Improvement

csziggy

(34,189 posts) Fri Aug 21, 2020, 09:04 PM Aug 2020

Can I use epoxy to put in a couple of tiles?

I need to put two tiles at my sink, and two or three on the window sill above the sink. At the sink the underlying material is the ceramic sink material and a strip of the cement board used for tile. On the window sill the underlying material is drywall.

The job is too small for any of the tile people I have contacted. Well, I did have one guy that was going to do it but he has not returned calls for a month and now his phone is disconnected. He had done a slightly larger project and I had planned for both to be done at the same time, but that did not work out. He promised to come back to do this part but now I have no way to locate him.

I know the small containers of pre-mixed tile adhesive are not appropriate for a wet or damp location. I also know that epoxy grout is sold, but not in the very small amount I need. So I am wondering if I can just use epoxy adhesive to glue the tile down. I figure epoxy is water proof (or at least resistant) and should hold up to being at the sink.

I'm looking at PC Products PC-11 Paste Epoxy - it can be used to reattach tile on swimming pools as well as repairs in a marine environment. https://www.pcepoxy.com/products/permanent-repair/pc-11-paste-epoxy/

One advantage is that it comes in smaller sizes than tile adhesive materials do, as small as 1/2 pound or even smaller. I'd need about one pound to do both projects.

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Can I use epoxy to put in a couple of tiles? (Original Post) csziggy Aug 2020 OP

I have experience with waterproof restorations. Zoonart Aug 2020 #1

I may wait and contact the manufacturer next week csziggy Aug 2020 #2

Sounds like you have it knocked. Zoonart Aug 2020 #3

I'll try to post pictures when I am done! Thank you. nt csziggy Aug 2020 #4

I have used silicone caulk- exterior liquid nails to replace a few tiles Wash. state Desk Jet Aug 2020 #5

Zoonart

(12,747 posts)

1. I have experience with waterproof restorations.

Reply to csziggy (Original post)

Fri Aug 21, 2020, 09:25 PM

Aug 2020

I think the PC paste epoxy will do the trick for you. My suggestion is that you apply it liberally to both surfaces so that you will have a suction bond. Apply pressure to make the excess squirt out a round the sides of the tiles which drives the air out.
Be prepared to clean the excess off of the surrounding surfaces. That should do it.

csziggy

(34,189 posts)

2. I may wait and contact the manufacturer next week

Reply to Zoonart (Reply #1)

Fri Aug 21, 2020, 10:00 PM

Aug 2020

But it certainly looks more practical than buying a large bag of the stuff usually recommended for adhering tile in damp locations or trying to find a tile guy to do such a small job. Back buttering the tile is a very good idea - they will be 18" x 9.5" once they are cut to fit on the sink area.

As for clean up, I figure I'll tape off the area, maybe use some drop cloth material. But I read that this stuff can be cleaned up with denatured alcohol so it might not be a huge problem.

Now the next problem - I was really hoping to get the two tiles bull nosed. There is one guy in the area that has the machine (?) to do it and all the tile guys that need it done hire him for that part. I have his name and phone number and I may try to see if I can carry the two tiles to him where ever he is working and have him do it. Maybe I can get him to notch the hole for the faucet, too.

The good news is that I have the grout to match the tiles, so I can do that part, no problem. I did a lot of tile work in my old house, a floor and a bunch of countertops.