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Expert Answers
Can I Install Tile on a Retaining Wall?
QUESTION
Can I install tile on a retaining wall? - I am planning to create a tile mosaic on a concrete retaining wall. How do I prep the wall? How do I ensure that the barrier I use on the wall to make it waterproof will still take the mastic for the tile? What mastic should I use? I plan on having students create the tiles so they will be glazed stoneware.... Is my project impossible? Any direction/advice you can offer would be most appreciated.ANSWER
ANSWER - It is possible to install your mosaic tiles on the retaining wall if it is properly prepared.Retaining walls should have a waterproof membrane on the back side where the dirt is up against it. Otherwise it is possible to have water migrate through the block wall causing a hydrostatic water pressure that could cause problems with the mosaic.
As long as you don't see any signs of hydrostatic water pressure coming through the retaining wall, then I would grind the surface of the concrete retaining wall as necessary to remove high spots, and fill in low spots with a mortar. Then I would apply a liquid applied tile waterproof membrane over the prepared wall. There are products such as Laticrete Hydro Ban, Custom Bldg Prod Redgard, Mapei Mapelastic, etc.
Then use a polymer modified thin-set mortar for adhering the mosaic tiles to the membrane. If you are installing glass mosaics then make sure the thin-set mortar is suitable for glass mosaics. Do not use an organic mastic as it will not last or perform well in an application such as this. Then grout the mosaics with a suitable grout from one of the referenced manufacturers.
If it will span more than 12 feet then you should install a soft movement joint between sections to allow for movement and fill it with an ASTM C920 silicone sealant.
Good Luck!
