Can I add more water to thinset?

If it's hot and dry where you're working, use COLD water to mix the thinset. If you add water to stiff thinset to make it workable, you break the microscopic Portland cement crystals and the thinset will NOT be as strong as it could be. This is why you only mix as much as you can use in a short time.

Besides, how much water do you add to Thinset?

Water Mixing Ratio Thinset is available in powder form in both 25- and 50-lb. bags. The ratio of water to mortar for thinset tile is 6:50 or 6 qts. of water per 50-lb.

Beside above, how long can you use thinset after mixing? The instructions clearly give a max pot life of 3 hours, saying that power remixing may be needed if the mortar starts to harden.

Similarly one may ask, what happens if you put too much water in Thinset?

If you put too much water in thinset several things happen. This can easily make the tile go too low, sending thinset up the grout lines causing an unnecessary mess, and then you have to peel the tile back up to add more thinset to bring it back up to the level of the other tiles. 2. It takes a very long time to cure.

Can you rewet Thinset?

There is no way to save mixed thinset. Thinset cointains portland cement, which chemically reacts with the water you add to harden. It does not dry by evaporation, so if you mix up a batch of thinset and pack it in an air-tight container, it will still harden in a few hours.

33 Related Question Answers Found

What happens if you mix Thinset too thin?

However, it does meet the minimum requirements of A118. 1 for unmodified thinsets, so, it should work. Since you mixed it too thin and spread it with the wrong trowel, it will take longer to set up. BUT, mixing it too thin also makes it weak.

How long does it take for Thinset to harden?

The humidity, temperature and air flow in a room affect how long it takes to dry, but thinset generally is cured and ready to walk on or grout in 24 to 48 hours. Some installers and home specialists recommend waiting 72 hours for tiles applied to floors.

How much thinset should I mix at a time?

But that's way too much thinset to use at once, so I decided to just start with 1 quart of water, which is about one fifth of the bag, which is an easily manageable amount. You never want to mix an entire bag on your first time because the thinset will likely harden before you have time to put it all on.

Is VersaBond a modified thinset?

The Custom Building Products VersaBond 50 lbs. Fortified Thin-Set Mortar is a professional formula, all-purpose mortar, polymer-modified to provide good bond strengths. VersaBond cures quickly and adheres to most surfaces.

Can I mix half bag of thinset?

Mixing thinset isn't rocket science and doesn't have to be mixed to exact proportions. If you eyeball a portion of a bag and it's too thin - add a little more thinset, if it's too stiff - add a little water.

Can Thinset be remixed?

If it's hot and dry where you're working, use COLD water to mix the thinset. If you add water to stiff thinset to make it workable, you break the microscopic Portland cement crystals and the thinset will NOT be as strong as it could be. This is why you only mix as much as you can use in a short time.

How thick should thinset mortar be?

The terms thinset cement, thinset mortar, dryset mortar, and drybond mortar are synonymous. This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer - typically not greater than 3/16th thick. For example, a 3/8" notch trowel will produce a 3/16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.

How do you know when thinset is dry?

You may notice that the edges of the thinset or the thinset showing through the grout lines looks dry. Don't be fooled by this. The thinset under the tiles isn't receiving as much air as the edges and is therefor not fully cured.

What is the working time for Thinset?

about 15-20 minutes

Is Thinset waterproof?

As Jason described, thinset itself isn't waterproof. It isn't degraded by water, and does resist the flow of water (somewhat), but definately does not "waterproof" any tile installation the way a membrane will.

How do you make mortar thicker?

Add the mortar to the water, mix, add more mortar or water as needed to reach a fairly thick consistency – about the creaminess of thick peanut butter.

Which is better thinset or mastic?

Mastic is a non-cementitious material that exhibits some pros and cons compared to thinset. Thinset is much stronger structurally than mastic and a waterproof product that will not lose strength when exposed to water. Thinset is the only product that I recommend be used in showers, bathrooms and even floors.

How long does Thinset need to dry before waterproofing?

Allow the RedGard membrane to cure for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The color will turn from pink to a solid red sheet with no pink spots when it is fully dry. It is most important that you wait for the color of the product to turn completely red as ambient conditions will make the dry time vary.

Can you mix Thinset with cement?

Portland cement is used in thinset to provide the bonding mechanism; sand is added to temper the cement; and a liquid latex mortar additive is added to give the thinset pliability, allowing the materials to expand and contract without cracking. This process will allow you to make more thinset for less money.

How wet should mortar be?

Mortar mixed to the right consistency should hold onto a trowel held at a 90 degree angle, but should also be wet enough to work easily and pour into and out of buckets.

Does Thinset stick to wood?

Specialty Thinset

Whatever type of plywood you are dealing with, you need to use a rated thinset mortar that is designed to be used with wood. Most thinsets are designed to only work with a concrete or fiber board underlayment, not with wood.

Is premixed thinset good?

Premixed thinset isnt thinset at all. Thinset is a portland cement based product and cannot be stored already mixed in a bucket. "Premixed thinset" is mastic with sand in it. Mastic is good for backsplashes and small format tile 8" or smaller.