Advice need for tile fixing outdoors

No idea ... but I hope someone else can help you.

 

I don't think silicone is strong enough, but google things like gripfill, no more nails etc

 

The first thing that I thought when I saw the photos is that they appear to have been fixed incorrectly from the start.

First: The substrate is not good enough.

Second. the "comb" used was far too coarse. If the adhesive used has similar properties to the one I do, then the maximum thickness should be 5mm.

Third: judging from the tile photo, primer has not been used. If it had, then there would be more adhesive remaining on the tile. This makes me wonder if primer has been used on the substrate also?

Fourth: For outdoor use, adhesive must be used on both the substrate and the tile. Another reason for using a finer comb, to keep under the 5mm I mentioned above.

Fifth: Has an outdoor grout been used? If not, that will also be a contributory factor to the problems.

Sixth: From the photos, it appears that the vertical tiles overlap the horizontal ones. It should be the other way round.

Seventh: Are the tiles specifically made for outdoor use? ie, are they non porous?

Sorry to be so negative to the way the work appears to have been carried out.

 

I did wonder about those.

The background appears too far away from the rear of the tiles, meaning a very thick layer of adhesive is required, but only enough has been used to be in contact with a small area of the tile. There is no bond on there rear of the tile. Not having the horizontal tiles oversail the top vertical course is asking for trouble.

We were once involved in works to a swimming pool, using divers to replace broken tiles underwater after hours (to avoid draining the pool), the task of sitting on the poolside counting the tiles replaced and locking up when they'd finished for the night was extremely lucrative overtime.

But if swimming pool resin tile adhesive/grout designed for underwater repairs were used then it should suffice for a garden water feature. Perhaps an angle grinder could be used to roughen the rear tile surface to create a better bond?

 

I just think that water probably seeped behind the tile during the winter and the frost loosened it.

 

Thats a nice feature you have there. I hope the adhesive you bought works.

Did you by any chance use concrete behind the tiles? Its a bit difficult to see from the first photos.

 

The only reason I asked was that I know concrete has to "mature" for at least two months before it can be tiled. No experience of blocks though.

I must say though, I do like the feature.