Primers

A primer is a liquid product, which can be either latex, epoxy or polyurethane based, and is used to create better adhesion onto the substrate before tiling or screeding commences. The function of a primer is to prepare the surface and increase the bond of the adhesive, screed and waterproofing compounds onto the surface.

Substrates may be porous or impervious, smooth or rough, or dusty and powdery. Without applying a primer, the substrate may either draw the liquid from the adhesive or screed mix (porous surfaces), prevent the adhesive or screed from bonding onto the surface (dusty or powdery surfaces), or be too smooth or dense for the adhesive or screed to form an adequate bond onto the substrate (smooth, impervious surfaces).

Incorrect or inadequate surface preparation can adversely affect the integrity of the installation and may lead to an installation failure. The solution is to use a primer.

TAL provides a range of primers to prepare the surface prior to the application of tiling adhesives, screeding and waterproofing compounds. The TAL range of primers consists of TAL KEYCOAT, TAL FLOOR PRIMER, TAL FLOORKEY, TAL EPOXY PRIMER, TAL KEYMIX and TAL SUPERPRIME.

Additives

An additive is a liquid product made with latex and is designed to be used as a water substitute in the cement-based adhesive and grout mix when tiling or grouting external areas, wet areas, high traffic areas and areas where some flexibility is required. TAL’s  range of additives includes TAL BOND, TAL BOND POWDER and TAL SCREEDBINDER.

TAL BOND POWDER and TAL BOND additive improves the bond strength, flexibility and water-resistance when added to cement-based adhesives and grouts.

It is important to use an additive when installing tiles in wet areas, such as showers, and exterior applications. Additives make the tile installation less susceptible to water penetration and also increase the flexibility of the adhesive and grout.

When using an additive in the adhesive or grout mixture, it is important to use the full amount of additive as stipulated in the instructions on the packaging. Do not dilute the mix with water as diluting the latex will compromise the flexibility and water-resistance of the adhesive or grout. 

TAL SCREEDBINDER additive improves the bond strength and flexibility when added to TAL SUPERSCREED, which is used to level imperfections in flooring surfaces. When mixing TAL SCREEDBINDER with TAL SUPERSCREED, the screeding compound can be used as a protective barrier over ceramic tile heating elements.