Amongst both professional and DIY tilers, AcrylPro tile adhesive is the number one go-to option because of its unique formula and unrivaled bonding strength. That’s not all.
This tile adhesive from Custom Building Products is sag resistant and can be used to bond a wide range of tiles ranging from stone to small format tile.
It can also be used in areas that are exposed to intermittent water. It’s very easy to apply. However, there are instances when AcrylPro tile adhesive will not dry.
In this article, I will be digging into the reasons behind this and sharing professional solutions on how to deal with AcrylPro adhesive that’s not drying.
How Long Does AcrylPro Tile Adhesive Take to Dry?
According to the manufacturer, Custom Building Products, AcrylPro tile adhesive dries within 24 to 72 hours.
They also go on to mention that this drying period can be extended if AcrylPro is used to set larger tiles, the humidity levels are high or the temperatures are below 15 degrees C.
Before you rush to conclude that your AcrylPro tile adhesive isn’t drying. You need to familiarize yourself with the expected curing duration.
If the AcrylPro that you have used to set tiles isn’t drying after three days, that’s when you can conclude that there is a problem.
What Causes AcrylPro Tile Adhesive Not to Dry?
Several culprits can prevent AcrylPro tile adhesive from not drying. They include;
• Using AcrylPro on Tiles that are Bigger Than the Recommended 8×8 Size
Here at Build It Fine, we always encourage our readers to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for every product they use.
Custom Building Products recommends this adhesive to be used on tiles measuring 8×8 or less. If you use it on tiles that are bigger than the recommended size, there is a huge chance that it will take longer to dry, or it won’t even dry at all.
The Solution: If you’re dealing with more oversized tiles, find an adhesive that is specifically formulated for such.
• Using AcrylPro Over a Non-Porous Surface
On their data sheet, the manufacturer of AcrylPro also mentions that this adhesive should never be used on a non-porous surface such as a water membrane or a vinyl floor.
A non-porous surface makes it hard for the adhesive to bond and as a result, it won’t dry.
The Solution: Only use AcrylPro on approved porous substrates.
• Applying AcrylPro Over Moist Substrates
If there is moisture over the substrate, the water can prolong the drying period of the AcrylPro tile adhesive. In cases where the water is in excess, the AcrylPro may fail to dry completely.
The Solution: Always ensure that the substrate is dry before applying the AcrylPro tile adhesive.
• Applying Thicker Coats of the Adhesive
Some people assume that applying AcrylPro in thicker layers will guarantee a stronger bond. But on the contrary, it often leads to issues such as preventing it from drying properly and on time.
The Solution: Please stick to thin coats of AcrylPro.
• Using Old or Expired AcrylPro
AcrylPro ceramic tile adhesive has a shelf life of 18 months. If you had stored some and it has exceeded the above-mentioned shelf life.
When you use it, you may notice issues such as failing to dry even under the right conditions. Like all other building products, AcrylPro has an expiry date and when that occurs, it loses some of its key properties.
The Solution: Discard expired bags of AcrylPro and replace them with new ones.
• Forgetting to Mix the Adhesive Before Use
Just because AcrylPro is a premixed tile adhesive, that doesn’t mean you should pop the lid and start spreading it right away.
During storage, some of the ingredients in AcrylPro settle at the bottom. So, when you apply it directly, the top layer will lack essential ingredients that might affect its curing process.
The Solution: Always mix the adhesive thoroughly before use to be safe.
• Using It on the Wrong Substrates
Still, on Custom Building Product’s datasheet, you’ll notice that there are some substrates listed that you should not use AcrylPro on.
Examples include particle board, vinyl flooring, hardwood, OSB, and fiberglass. When you use AcrylPro over these substrates, there is a higher risk of failure which may result in it not drying.
The Solution: Carefully read through the list of approved substrates you can use AcrylPro on.
• Exposing Fresh Adhesive to Excessive Weight or Pressure
In case you place heavy objects over a freshly applied AcrylPro tile adhesive or exert extra pressure, you may disrupt the adhesive’s drying process.
The Solutions: Freshly applied adhesive should be left interrupted for at least three days.
• The Presence of Dirt, Dust, or Chemicals on the Substrate
Any foreign substance on the substrate can react with AcrylPro and affect the drying process. This includes dirt, dust, chemicals, and even another type of adhesive.
The Solution: The surface of a substrate that’s about to be layered with this adhesive needs to be cleaned thoroughly.
What Can I Do If AcrylPro Tile Adhesive is Not Drying?
There are two ways you can approach this problem;
1. Adjust the Conditions – If the reason your AcrylPro tile adhesive isn’t drying is due to humidity or temperature.
You can adjust these conditions by opening up the ventilation or increasing the temperatures with the help of a heater. That should speed up the drying process.
2. Start Over – If the above doesn’t work, then I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you’ll need to start over again.
If you have made some of the mistakes mentioned above such as using bigger tiles, or applying on a non-porous or moist surface, then you have no option but to start afresh.
This time around, you’ll be aware of the dos and don’ts. So, you can be 100% sure that the AcrylPro tile adhesive will dry within two to three days.
How Can You Tell AcrylPro Tile Adhesive is Not Drying?
A visual inspection is usually enough to diagnose AcrylPro tile adhesive that’s not drying. If it still looks cloudy or milky, then it’s not yet dry. Besides this, if you touch the adhesive and it’s still tacky then it hasn’t dried.
You can go the extra mile of running a finger over the adhesive and if it pulls off some residue, you can confirm that the adhesive is still wet.
Please note that such tests should be performed from day 4 after application.
Is It Okay If AcrylPro Adhesive Dries Too Quickly?
Before I wrap up this guide, it’s also a good idea to explore both sides of this issue. So, to answer the above, it’s not okay for AcrylPro adhesive to dry very quickly.
If that happens, the bond created may be weak and the tiles can fall off prematurely. AcrylPro can dry too quickly if the environmental conditions are too favorable. That is the humidity levels are very low and the temperatures are high.
Should you find yourself in such an environment, please consider using a retarder which is an ingredient that slows down the drying period of AcrylPro tile adhesive.
All adhesives need to cure under the recommended time frame. If it happens too slowly, that’s a problem. And the same can be said if it dries too quickly.