Do I Need To Primer Before Laying Tiles: Tips And Tricks

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• What is a primer and why is it needed
• To prime or not
• Choosing a floor primer
• Primer Prospectors Universal
• Deep Penetration Primer
• Primer Prospectors Concrete Contact
• Using a primer
• Absorbent surfaces
• Non-absorbent bases
• Applying primer to tiles
• Cleaning tiles from primer
• Expert advice and recommendations

Before starting surface cladding, each person is interested in the question of the further life of the surface. Of course, everyone wants the coating to be as smooth and beautiful as possible, but at the same time, durable. With this question, a primer can to some extent help, which ensures a high level of adhesion of the material and the base. That is why the question often arises, is it worth priming before laying the tiles, or perhaps this process can be missed? In order to understand this issue, it is necessary to carefully study all the features of the primer, its properties and role in the repair.

What is a primer and why is it needed

First you need to understand what a primer is. In total, this is a kind of composition that must be applied to the base before finishing work.

The main task that the primer performs before laying the tiles is to increase adhesion (it promotes better bonding of materials and does not allow the base to absorb water strongly, which affects uniform drying). In addition, most of the compounds have antiseptic properties, which protects the surface from mold and fungus damage.

Themselves mixtures of this type are made from various components. In particular, substances are used that, when dried, form a kind of film. These are, for example, drying oil or resin. Considering the mixtures of the modern type, you can see that there are several types of them, each of which has its own characteristics. This necessitates the choice of which primer to treat the walls with before laying the tiles.

To prime or not

But let's still figure out whether the surface needs to be primed before laying the tiles or not. This question is controversial and incorrect for some specialists. Nevertheless, the answer is almost always “ Yes ”.

A primer is essential before laying the tiles, especially if porous or crumbling surfaces are being tiled. The only time a primer can be neglected is when facing a dense concrete base. Even so, a layer of primer won't hurt.

Let's talk a little about the general properties of all types of primer. In total, there are three advantages that the primer provides:

1. First of all, strengthening the surface and increasing adhesion. This effect is achieved due to the impregnation of the pore composition of the material, which strengthens the structure. Thus, the base becomes more resistant to various loads, in addition, the possibility of infection is significantly reduced.
2. The amount of materials required for work is also reduced. In particular, we are talking about further cladding. And this, accordingly, allows you to save money.
3. By increasing adhesion, the primer can significantly increase the quality of the future coating. Thus, you can be sure of the durability of the cladding.

Choosing a floor primer

Now it's time to decide which primer to use before laying the tiles. As you know, there are several types of such compositions, and therefore, in order to be clearly defined, it is necessary to consider each of them.

Before laying the tiles, the floor can be primed with various compounds, and the basic properties of the primer itself should be taken into account. Some are designed to increase adhesion, others to impregnate the base, which is why it is necessary to know the principle of operation of such mixtures and choose the right one.

On the modern market there are many manufacturers of primers. Therefore, even having decided on the type that will be used and is most suitable for you personally, it is very difficult to choose the right manufacturer without knowing anything about them.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with several types of primers, which, according to our experts, are of the highest quality, and are best suited for application before laying the tiles.

Knauf Tiefen Grund

This type of primer is a strengthening one, moreover, it is characterized by the ability to deeply penetrate, therefore it is often used for processing fine-pored substrates. The main goal of the composition is to strengthen the base, increase the level of adhesion and reduce the level of absorbency, which is important.

It is mainly used for the processing of gypsum and plasterboard materials, as well as cement screeds and plasters. In addition, it is used for both internal surfaces and external processing.

Among the advantages of this type of soil, it should be noted:

1. Helps to strengthen the surface of gypsum or chalk substrates.
2. Has a high level of penetrating power.
3. Improves adhesion and reduces absorbency.
4. Environmentally friendly, does not cause allergies during use and application, does not emit harmful vapors.
5. In addition, it dries quickly, which allows you to start finishing soon after application.

The cost of this type of soil varies from 700 to 1000 rubles for a five-liter container, depending on the region. At the same time, we note that this volume is sufficient for processing 50 square meters of surface.

Knauf Mittel Grund

A primer of this type is used for the treatment of aerated concrete and aerated concrete substrates, usually applied during the preparation of the surface for plastering. Due to its properties, it helps to uniformly set the mortar, in addition, it reduces and regulates the absorbency of the base.

Among the advantages of the material:

1. Low consumption (0.05 kg / m ²)
2. Fast drying.
3. It protects the plaster from dehydration by regulating the absorbency of the surface.
4. Increases the level of adhesion to the substrate for adhesive mortars, screeds and plasters.

The primer is sold in the form of a ready-made mixture of 10 liters. The cost of one package is one and a half to two thousand rubles. At the level of consumption of the composition, one container will be enough to treat 200 square meters of surface.

Knauf Multi Grund

In terms of scope and advantages, this primer is identical to the previous one, but technical characteristics become a significant difference, or rather:

1. The consumption of this type of soil is 4 times higher.
2. At the same time, the average cost, depending on the region, is 700 rubles per unit, volume is 10 liters.

This higher flow rate is the reason for the possibility of deeper penetration, respectively, the required amount of mixture per section increases.

Primer Prospectors Universal

This type of primer is presented in a universal version and can be used on any surface, while it does not lose its performance characteristics.

The primer is intended to increase the adhesion of any facing materials to gypsum and cement substrates, especially plaster.

Among the advantages of the material are:

1. Significant increase in adhesion.
2. Help in saving finishing materials, in particular glue mixtures, paints and varnishes and others. This is due to a decrease in surface absorbency.
3. Suitable for both interior decoration and exterior.

The cost of this type of material is 400-500 rubles for a canister with a volume of 10 liters, properly spending, which is enough to process 50 square meters of surface.

Deep Penetration Primer

The next type is intended not only to improve the adhesion of the material, but also to provide strength. Suitable for any surfaces, but along with this, it finds the most active use in the treatment of gypsum and cement bases, on which it is planned to apply plaster.

Among the advantages, apart from the exact match with the previous type, are:

1. Deeper penetration, which improves the quality of the base.
2. Additional protection, as well as giving strength to the base.

Considering the pricing policy of such soil, it can be noted that it is somewhat cheaper, the cost varies on average from 450 to 500 rubles. It should be noted that the consumption of the mixture remained the same.

Primer Prospectors Concrete Contact

In the case of smooth concrete or old tiles, a slightly different type of primer is required. In this case, not only is a deep penetration compound needed, but the presence of sand additives is also an important factor, which allows for increased adhesion. This requires concrete contact.

Among the advantages of such a primer is the increased adhesion of smooth substrates, in addition, it allows it to penetrate even into dense substrates and create effective adhesion. Unfortunately, only suitable for internal work.

And, of course, it is necessary to consider the cost of such material, which is 1400-1500 for a container of 20 kilograms. Taking into account the soil consumption, such a primer is enough for 100 square meters of surface.

Using a primer

Speaking about which primer is better for tiles, all the features of the base must be taken into account. It is depending on it that it is necessary to choose the composition, since in different situations, coatings from different materials may be incompatible with the primer.

Properly selected soil becomes an important factor. And do not try to save money, since cheap material may not justify itself. To check the quality, just look at the packaging. It contains instructions for use. Note that for a good primer one coat is enough, while the usual one should be applied in several coats. Thus, it is better to overpay a little than to get low-quality coverage.

Now, after we have answered the question whether the floor is primed before laying the tiles, it is worthwhile to figure it out directly in the process of applying the primer. In particular, several cases must be considered:

1. Application of the composition to the absorbent surface.
2. Primer on non-absorbent substrates.

In each case, the floor primer for laying tiles has its own characteristics that must be taken into account. Let's analyze each case separately.

Absorbent surfaces

In this case, before starting work, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of debris and dust, as well as remove the previous cladding and its remnants.

In the case of processing walls that have been painted, it is enough to remove only the areas that are swollen, which is done with a spatula.

For work we need the following tools:

1. Roller.
2. Brush.
3. Primer tray.

The application itself is carried out as follows:

1. The concentrated primer mix is diluted with water in accordance with the instructions (unless, of course, a ready-made composition is used). After that, the primer is poured in small portions into the flow tray.
2. A roller is taken and immersed in the mixture, after which it is wrung out. The primer itself should be applied to the surface smoothly, with light roller movements.
3. Next, you need to wait until the solution is completely dry, then provide another layer. Even when using a quality primer that allows one layer to be applied, it is necessary to provide for a second one to improve the quality of the coating.

In conclusion, it remains to wash the container from the remnants of the mixture, otherwise, after drying, it can be thrown away.

For faster application of the primer on the floor, it is possible to use sprayers and spray guns.

Non-absorbent bases

Tools in the case of such a coating will need the same. But, in this case, the soil is used special, with increased characteristics of penetration into the base.

The mixture itself is applied to the surface with a brush. Note that this kind of work is quite simple and does not require any preparation, so you can involve family members in the work.

At the end of the work, all tools and containers must be thoroughly washed.

A variety of this type of soil is used extremely rarely, due to the sale in large volumes with the condition of a large residue of material.

Applying primer to tiles

Many people care whether the tiles need to be primed before laying or not. And the answer to this question may be slightly different. A little clarification for this uncertainty:

1. The tile itself does not need to be primed, and in some cases even impossible. If the primer gets on the coating of the tiles, it must be removed, which we will talk about a little later.
2. But on the other hand, the primer can be used directly when laying tiles, or rather for preparing tile adhesive.

In this case, you should talk a little more about the glue mixture. As mentioned earlier, when using ready-made formulations, a lot of unused material remains. It is he who many experts use to prepare glue.

For such a composition, the usual glue mixture is not diluted with water, but with a high penetration soil until a creamy composition is formed. Then the mixture is applied with a brush to the surface and to the tiles as a regular glue. The only caveat is that the use of such a composition is allowed only when laying on a perfectly flat surface. But in terms of characteristics, such a solution will not be inferior even to expensive adhesives based on polymers with quartz additives.

In hot weather, we recommend soaking the highly absorbent tile with water - this will allow the glue to be absorbed evenly, and the master will have time to correct it.

Cleaning tiles from primer

As mentioned earlier, the application of a primer to the tiles is not necessary, and in some cases is prohibited. Therefore, it is often necessary to clean the material. Of course, the method for cleaning acrylic primer may differ slightly depending on which tile primer was used, but in general terms it will look like this:

1. If a small proportion of soil gets on the material, if it was detected immediately, it can be washed with warm soapy water.

   

2. Wipe the tiles thoroughly, the primer layer should come off, and you cannot hesitate, since the composition is absorbed quite quickly.
3. If this method does not help, and the soil has already been absorbed, it is necessary to soak the tiles, and then try to wash it again.
4. If the composition has time to set, then plain water will no longer help and for cleaning you will have to use a mixture for cleaning plumbing or a similar composition of household chemicals. You can also use a glass cleaner.

If you did not immediately notice the contamination and the time for cleaning in this way has already passed, then here you will need specialized tools, for example, a polyurethane foam cleaner, which will help soak the soil, after which it can be cleaned with a scraper.

In the event that such a device is not at hand, you can use any solvent, preferably alcohol-based. In the role of this can be acetone, turpentine, gasoline and many other options.

And the very last case, when the soil has been absorbed so much that no remedy helps, is sandpaper or another abrasive. Of course, this option is undesirable, but necessary. Therefore, try not to get the compounds on the tiles.

Expert advice and recommendations

And now you should consider a number of recommendations that it is desirable to follow, which will help prevent mistakes when working, as well as when choosing a primer.

1. It is necessary to prime the floor before laying the tiles in 2, or better in 3 layers. Only then will he be able to penetrate deeply into the base, in addition, it is better to apply the application without waiting for the previous layer to dry.
2. The order of application also becomes an important factor, if it is violated, the coating can be damaged, and as a result, the protection layer will be small, and the adhesion will practically not change, which simply entails an extra cost of time and money.
3. In addition, the preparation of the solution must be carried out strictly according to the instructions on the package. It is also important to pay attention to the specifics of the primer. Since each soil has different properties in different concentrations, and the floor primer before laying should not only improve the adhesion of the material, but also create additional protection for the base.
4. After the completion of the application and drying of the layer, it is necessary to check the quality of the work, if the primer smears the hand while holding, then it is necessary to apply another layer.
5. It is also important to understand which primer to use before laying tiles in individual cases, depending on the operating conditions. For example, for rooms with high humidity, you will need a composition with bactericidal protection, and ordinary soil is also suitable for a corridor.

Thus, after reading the material, you should clearly understand what a primer is and how to choose it in specific cases. But to consolidate the material, we suggest watching several videos about the choice of soil, its properties, etc.

We also recommend reading:

1. Laying tiles with your own hands.
2. How to choose the right primer depending on the substrate.
3. Do I need to prime the walls.