Can You Use No More Nails On Bathroom Tiles? (8 Tips!)
Advertised as an alternative to screws and nails, ‘no more nails’ are increasingly becoming popular by the day. Now, homeowners are considering them for bathroom DIY repairs and installations. But can you use no more nails on bathroom tiles?
Generally, you can use no more nails on bathroom tiles if it’s a minor fix, such as replacing a tile, covering a bad one, or reattaching one or two loose ones. That means no more nails is not best for bathroom tile installation and other big projects.
Overall, it’s essential that you apply no more nails on a dust-free and grease-free surface to hold the bathroom tiles better. You also have to give it enough time to dry and avoid using it in excess.
But again, you must pick the proper no-more nails for a successful bathroom tiling DIY project. That means you have to select no more nails according to your bathroom tiles.
To help you understand what I mean, I’ll share the dos and don’ts of using no more nails for bathroom tiling. But before we can get to that, you must be wondering what no more nails is, right?
Well, let’s answer that now.
What Are No More Nails?
No more nails are a type of heavy-duty polymer adhesive for performing DIY fixes all around the home. So, yes, I’ve been talking about an adhesive all along.
From the name, this adhesive replaces nails and screws in the same capacity. So, if you wish to do a nail-free fix, get no more nails today.
Overall, no more nails enjoy the following properties:
- Strong Adhesion – No more nails attach to most materials owing to their strong adhesion. You can use it to mount different fixtures to concrete, ceramic, wood, metal, vinyl, plastic, to name a few.
- Solvent-Free – No more nails don’t contain water or any other solvent. That allows them to hold firmly onto things.
- Water-Resistance – No more nails are water-resistant, enabling them to hold things together in wet clothes.
- Versatility – No more nails allow you to do a variety of fixes around the house and bathroom. That includes attaching fixtures onto surfaces and covering up defects on the walls and floors.
- Immediate Grip – No more nails bond tiles to the floor or wall almost immediately, thanks to its high adhesion power.
So, Can You Use No More Nails On Bathroom Tiles? Do’s and Don’ts
Yes, you can use no more nails on bathroom tiles for the reasons (properties) I’ve shared above. It’s, however, not as straightforward as it sounds.
There are a few precautionary measures you’ve to take to use the adhesive correctly on tiles. Now, let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of using no more nails on bathroom tiles.
The Dos of Using No More Nails On Bathroom Tiles
They include the following:
1. Only Use No More Nails On Small Bathroom Tiling Projects
You shouldn’t use no more nails to install bathroom tiles. It’s as simple as that!
Though the adhesive has a strong bonding and adhesion properties, it’s not designed to hold over a large area. So, using it to install tiles on a large area in your bathroom only risks the adhesive detaching sooner.
Instead, use it for minor DIY fixes. That includes:
- Replacing one or two tiles
- Covering cracks and holes on the tiles
- Reattaching loose tiles
2. Confirm That the No More Nails Is for Tiling
It’s worth noting that not all no more nails are for tiling. So, you’ve to go through the product description to confirm this fact.
And while at it, confirm the nature of the material that the adhesive is best for. On that note, here are the commonest tile materials that no more nails work on:
- Ceramic
- Vinyl
- Stone
- Wood
- Glass
- Metal
- Cement
Some tile materials have non-stick surfaces, making it hard for no more nails to stick. As a result, you shouldn’t use no more nails on them.
They include:
- Teflon
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
3. Use it Indoors Unless States Otherwise
No more nails adhesives are mainly intended for indoor use. That shouldn’t be a big deal since we are talking about the bathroom. That’s unless you have an outdoor bathroom that you intend to fix its tiling.
Overall, you should confirm if the manufacturer recommends the adhesive for outdoor use if it’s an outdoor bathroom.
The reason is that the outdoor weather is a little rough, so the glue is likely to fall apart.
But again, there are exceptions, which are typically waterproof, and a perfect example is the UniBond No More Nails Waterproof Adhesive. This heavy-duty adhesive also works indoor and outdoor.
Another fantastic choice is the Pattex No More Nails.
Other than allowing you to use it outdoors and indoors, its advantage is that it works on porous and non-porous material. That makes it perfect for bathroom floor tiles.
4. Give No More Nails Enough Time to Cure
Though no more nails enjoy high adhesion and immediate grip properties, it’s only effective when allowed enough time to dry.
Usually, the adhesive needs 24-48 hours to cure. So, only use the bathroom after the timeline expires. That’ll prevent it from falling apart after a short while.
The Don’ts of Using No More Nails On Bathroom Tiles
Now, here are things to avoid when using this adhesive for bathroom tiling:
1. Don’t Use No More Nails for Bathroom Tiles Installation
Don’t use no more nails for tile installation unless you only need to replace a small section of your bathroom tiles. Like I mentioned, this adhesive is more effective when bonding a small area.
So, you cannot use it to install all your bathroom tiles or do it over a large surface. Besides, it can be too expensive to bond all the bathroom tiles using no more nails.
2. Don’t Use No More Nails On Greasy or Dusty Surface
You want no more nails to stick the tiles firmly onto the bathroom floor or wall. So, you have to get rid of grease and dust from the surface for that to happen.
After all, it’s easier to apply and thinly spread when the surface is free from dust and grease.
3. Don’t Use No More Nails Strips or Rolls
While strips and rolls may have the name ‘no more nails’ before them, they are not reliable in fixing tiles. Overall, no more nails strip and rolls are best for attaching lighter fixtures.
So, avoid them! Instead, use no more nails cartridges, and here are top recommendations:
- UniBond No More Nails Waterproof
- UniBond No More Nails Original
- HENKEL No More Nails INTRR Mini
- UniBond No More Nails Invisible
- Pattex No More Nails
4. Don’t Apply Excess
Naturally, it’s tempting to apply excess no more nails to strengthen the bonding. Well, that’s not the case. If you do it, you’ll likely form a thick coat around the tiles, which may interfere with their uniformity.
Also, it may take longer than 48 hours for the adhesive to cure. So, instead of taking the risk, apply only a thin layer onto the surface and ensure you press the tiles gently but firmly until they hold.
But in case you apply excess no more nails, you should wipe it using clean water.
But How Do You Cover Up Bad Bathroom Tiles?
Ideally, you can use no more nails to cover up a bad tile. The adhesive allows you to fill the gaps and cracks on the bathroom tiles for a smooth and clean look.
In its absence, you can apply any of these approaches:
a) Painting
You can paint the area to cover up the defects. This is usually a cheaper way to fix a damaged tile. However, it’s essential to pick a bathroom paint that matches the tiles.
If not, you can paint all the tiles to give them a uniform look. Ensure, nonetheless, that you obtain a smooth finish around the tile edges.
b) Bathroom Wallpapers
Wallpapers are an excellent choice for covering bad wall tiles. The wallpaper themselves are a work of art, which means they’ll look like decorations in your bathroom.
Though you can use stickers in place of wallpapers, wallpapers are more extensive, making them best for larger tiles. Furthermore, wallpapers have a more modern feel, thus perfect for the contemporary bathroom.
c) Tile-Effect Panels
Tile-effect panels are also effective against defects on wall tiles. They are 100% waterproof and come in various dimensions and styles, thus perfect for bathroom walls.
The panels are also cheaper and almost seamless to fit. So, you’ll be saving both money and effort if you opt for them than replacing the tiles.
d) Liquid Nail
Other than no more nails, there are other forms of liquid nails that you can use to fix your bad bathroom tiles. These sealants create an airtight seal around the tiles to protect them against water damage and provide insulation.
Even better, liquid nail allows you to repaint your tiles after application to improve their look.
Check out the best liquid nail for bathrooms on Amazon!
People Also Ask
1. Can You Use No More Nails in Bathrooms?
You can use no more nails almost everywhere in the bathroom. That includes fitting fixtures on the bathroom walls, covering up bad tiles, and doing basic repairs.
2. Can You Use No More Nails for Tiles?
Provided no more nails are recommended for tiles by the manufacturer, and you apply it on a dust-free surface, you can use it to fix tiles. That includes replacing tiles or covering bad ones.
3. Will No More Nails Stick to Ceramic Tiles?
No more nails will stick on ceramic tiles as long as you use cartridge form and not strips or rolls. You must also wipe off the surface to get rid of dust and grease before applying the adhesive. Plus, you should give it 1-2 days to cure.
Can You Use No More Nails On Bathroom Tiles? Closing Remarks!
As shared, you can use no more nails on bathroom tiles if it’s only a small project and you use the right adhesive. Remember to avoid dust and grease and give the adhesive enough time to cure, promoting a better job.
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