How to Prepare a Surface Before Tile Installation

Tile adhesive is designed to bond tile to a suitable substrate. Dust, laitance, oil, loose plaster and standing water break that bond. The surface should be sound, clean and within the flatness the tile size requires. Large formats show hollows that a small tile can hide.

Concrete and plaster should be cured and free of release agents. Plasterboard and other boards should be fixed firmly enough for the tile weight. Metal and glass are outside the cementitious adhesive applications and are listed for PU Adhesive.

CRIC CT-07 block adhesive notes that blocks do not need pre-wetting and that the joint can start from 3 mm, including undulated blocks. That instruction belongs to block laying, not to a tile bed. Follow the data sheet for the product in your hand.

Once the background is ready, select from tile size, internal or external use, and the classification. Wall Care Putty and Ready Mix Plaster are finishing and plastering products in the CRIC range. They are not a substitute for a tile adhesive, and putty is documented as an underlayer for decorative paints.

If you are unsure the substrate matches the product, send photographs and sizes with a technical enquiry before fixing starts.