Yellowing Mesh Behind Tile?

DKnafo

After installing a backsplash I noticed that the mesh behind the tiles that was keepig the 1x2" tiles together in a 12x12 pattern yellowed. Can anyone tell me what caused it and how to avoid it in the future. It was glass tile so the mesh can be seen from the front. This happened with just the adhesive before any grout.

rselectric1

I'm sure Angus will be along to clear up what might have happened, but is it possible the tiles were installed "right side in"???

I've seen people install mosaics paper side down, when it's supposed to be paper side out.

Just a thought.

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angus242

I smell mastic......

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Angus
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DKnafo

Have to double check but it was made/labeled and recommended by the tile place for glass tile. I was under the impression that mastic isn't.

angus242

Was it a powder mixed with a liquid or a premix in a bucket?

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DKnafo

Powder I mixed with water.

angus242

Hmm. What did the manufacturer of the glass recommend to use? Most of the time it's a modified white thinset.

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Angus
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fhueston

the glue used on this mesh is a polyester based glue and will yellow over time. Poly is known to yellow. no way to prevent it other than to try and remove the mesh prior to installation

Fred Hueston Phd
stone forensics

DKnafo

Angus -sorry for the late reply. It was a modified white thinset. Any other ideas or do you think fhueston is correct that it is the glue they used on the mesh?

sure would be impractical to remove the mesh with such small tiles.

The homeowner asked the tile store where he bought the tile and grout and they told him that not enough grout was floated into the joints of the tile, which is why you can see the mesh backer. Seems completely ridiculous to me but I thought I would put it out there to see the reaction that gets here.

Donewright

Ran into a similar kind of issue myself once. I had grout discolor in certain areas of a floor (I guess not so similar) anyways. I somehow got in touch with a local guy who told me it might have something to do with the water that was at the house that I used to mix it with. Something that there might have been to much iron or calcium or something like that. Might be the case. Watch out for that in the future. Maybe have a cheap throw away water tester or something.

angus242

Does this tile happen to be manufactured by AKDO?

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