Why You Should Use MASTIC for Subway Tile Backsplash

Mastic is an organic adhesive used to install tile. There are some drawbacks to using mastic but used in the right application it can be faster, easier, and more economical to use than thinset mortar to adhere tiles. The extended open time, the non-sag properties, and the ready to use feature can lead to a more successful installation especially for a DIY'er who doesn't have experience mixing and applying thinset mortar. The best areas to use mastic as a tile adhesive would be in interior dry areas such as kitchen backsplashes and walls. Although mastic can be used to install porcelain tiles, it is best used for installing ceramic wall tiles.
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[@Seanmmvi]

I took the recommendation of this video to use mastic for the subway tile backsplash in my kitchen and it turned out awesome. I took my time and just back buttered each tile individually to work slow and carefully - I was going for good and cheap (so the law of physics says it cant be fast). It turned out fantastic, I really enjoyed working with the mastic, long working time, didn't need to mix it, easy to clean the tools. Very happy.

[@uniquehandymanservicesllc.6873]

I own a handyman business in Georgia. I've used your videos countless times. I really appreciate you sharing your experience it's helped shape my business over the last few years.

[@nevinkuser9892]

How is your business going?

[@devin2bievin]

Love me some mastic! Training under an old school " Master" , I learned so much , and I'm so grateful to know how to float around outlets LOL, but he never used mastic.... ever. He's set in his ways and I'll never question or fault him for that. After all, A servant is never greater than his Master. But nowadays, with the never ending subway, and glass mosaic backsplash installs, I use mastic all day long. Great video. Great info. Thanks for helping remove the stigma and shame some of us old timers still carry. You're top notch! Love Ya.

[@jcmase72]

Multimax lite is the mastic of thinsets. When I was a finisher back in the day my mechanic used mastic to install porcelain sheet 2"x 2" (1'x 2') all through out this rec center over painted floors. 25 years later it's still there.. blows my mind every time I think about that. That's a practice you'll never see from me.

[@pughbear9145]

I used Mastic on 18x18 porcelain floor tiles in my living room and my tub surround walls that were just green sheet rock not cement boards. The one bathroom was done in 2004 and my other bathroom and high traffic living room area was done in 2009. All holding up to this very day with no problems other than being a little bit out dated. I think the problem may be if you use it where the tile spends a lot of time submerged underwater like a shower floor. Love the stuff.

[@SuperVPro]

Great video great info I agree I literally have 20 buckets at home ready to go at all times. Especially with all the 3 by 6 backsplash we do in downtown..

[@leannegoolsbythompson]

I’m doing a subway backsplash next week and was just popping over to your channel to see what you recommend! Thanks for this timely video - your advice is always appreciated!

[@integralsun]

His works is impeccably clean.

[@berto316life4]

“I love you, I love being your tile coach” ❤️

[@victorcardona1752]

I have learned a lot with you Isaac, thank you for sharing your experiences

[@dwinstead734]

Getting ready to stack some 4x8 ceramic vertically for a kitchen backsplash DIY & your videos have been invaluable! Thank you so so much!

[@chrismachado193]

Mastic gives a tenacious bond, great for backsplashes with ceramic tiles :) great video and editing Isaac! Luke gave you a shout out at the end of his video on TISE

[@brothersrosado5237]

Thank you so much!! You hit all the solid points and all the possible issues that you can have with mastic my bathroom floors previous owner use mastic for the floors I noticed a foul smell long story short tons and tons of mold tiles came up rather quickly with no effort whatsoever because these floors were constantly wet because my children think they’re in a water park when they take a shower anyways thank you so much keep doing the videos

[@xuser9980]

I did a kitchen subway backsplash from countertop to ceiling using Mapei Type 1 mastic (back-buttered on 3 x 6 ceramic subway tiles) about two years ago. I live in a tropic climate. Solid installation. 👌🏼

[@patriotsforegolf9859]

Was this over painted drywall? Heard you shouldn’t - just asking

[@nevinkuser9892]

​@@patriotsforegolf9859You'd need to sand that down a bit with 120 grit.

[@cotyspraggs7139]

You're the man! Love your videos. I'll be using mastic today on our backsplash with some subway tiles. Perfect video at the perfect time. Thanks.

[@AnthonyFloresCPA]

Thanks Issac! This is gonna save me so much time and money, and I know I can trust your advice!

[@williamscalzo5098]

THANKYOU I’ll let you know how it turns out ! First time lol tiling bathroom walls

[@CharlesJamesdesign]

So good!! I have made some mistakes in the past and have had questions about when to use which one. This was very thorough and specific. Thank you Isaac.!!!

[@chriswilcox6482]

Thanks for sharing your information on mastic. I learned something by watching.

[@camshaflober3691]

I use Pro Lite on back splashes. It dries so much faster can grout same day

[@kwangpark9472]

Thank you for the information. You are a great instructor! 👍

[@wolfdude71]

Oops I just used mastic to put up ceramic tiles in bathtub wall ugh. I did let them sit and dry for two weeks before grouting. Hopefully they will be ok... wish I could have seen this video a few weeks ago lol. Good info regardless thank you

[@tspfull]

This is bad news. I’m sorry.

[@Edyth_Hedd]

If it makes you feel any better, my idiot contractor used mastic for the subway tiles in our shower surround 4 years ago and nothing's fallen off yet.

[@scorpio6587]

Great information. Thank you! We love you, too.

[@patrickmckowen2999]

I guess I got lucky, used mastic on my shower walls over ten years ago and no problems. I just hung some porcelain on a none shower wall and will give it extra dry time before grouting. Just about to tile a shower with porcelain so i will go back to thinset. Cheers

[@Heb101922]

I have done lots of backsplashes over the years and have commercial experience with tile in public restrooms. I have never had a problem installing any type of tile to drywall or cement backer board using mastic. I do NOT recommend it on for floors, wet areas, or for installing large wall tiles. Large wall tiles even in a dry area should be installed with a quality thin set.

[@Heb101922]

@fartpoobox ohyeah Mastic in a shower or wet area is a bad idea.

[@randy12382]

Thank you for taking the time to share this information.

[@cmlouie4398]

Appreciate the excellent tips, detailed explanations of why and why not, very valuable. TY

[@Justin_Smith_1]

As always great information thanks Isaac.!.!.!

[@calebcastano9126]

Isaac you're the s*** brother. Love watching your videos and thank you so much for sharing your great information with us. I'm doing a backsplash in my kitchen not sure what type of tile yet but can I tile directly on to my sheetrock or do I have to get some type of concrete board? Thanks Isaac have a great day....

[@viking515066]

AcrylPro may be used in areas with intermittent water exposure such as tub surrounds and shower walls. as per manufacture

[@notsosilentmajority1]

I was wondering if it could be used in a tub surround with no shower? The store where I purchased the tile said that as long as it's not in a shower or somewhere in which it would get direct water it would be fine. This is in a master bath with a separate shower. Have you tried it?

[@msimbo93]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, experience and opinion. You are a good man for encouraging others to learn a trade. Cheers!

[@nicotello9622]

thank U, Isaac, sharing your knowledge to us!!!!

[@vzgsxr]

Hi Isaac, do you have guys have any mastics that are suitable for wet area apply in America? We have them here in Australia, Abamastic (owned by Ardex) is one that is specifically suitable for wet area applications.

[@jasongallardo9279]

Great video Isaac!

[@toddnester5743]

Good, clear, useful explanation. Thank you

[@LOUIEbsm]

Very knowledgeable young man!!!

[@jeffbryda5789]

If you're doing a backsplash on an existing painted wall do you do any prep? Rough sand, knife slice, even a wallpaper perforater...

[@tuubiewuubie]

I have the same question.

[@tarvify]

Excellent information!

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

This IS a question that’s been on my mind! I’m eventually going to do my kitchen and have only heard horror stories about mastic, just like you said! 😂 And in only ever hearing horror stories, I can’t have imagined what application its even good for anymore. Thanks for this! What about the backslash behind the sink, where there is ordinarily a bit of a water build up sometimes? Mastic still alright to use there too? Or if I’m now intimately familiar with thinset should I just use that instead to be on the safe side? I’ve become a pro at mixing thinset and making sure I’m FULLY prepared to use it when I do mix it. That preparation is KEY when working with Thinset! Get all your tiles planned out, cut and in close proximity to the room they’re going in, ready to be installed. THEN it’s safe to mix your thinset. Otherwise you’re really not ready to mix your thinset or you’re going to risk wasting it because you’re going to run out of time!

[@Midman1972]

Thinset is available premixed as well.

[@Stevesbe]

I installed a bunch of bathroom partitions in a warehouse office bathrooms in Miami . The 18x18 porcelain tile was run halfway up the wall. We had drill through and anchor to the till and the installers used mastic and they floated it out with the mastic more then 3/4"in Some places . When we attempted to drill the tile would just crack or sink into the mastic

[@IsmaelByrd]

1. any issue with mastic over painted dry wall 2. what's the largest tile you'd put on a wall with mastic?

[@paulkoss6401]

Great information Isaac. Thanks so much.

[@TheBruunz]

Thanks for your time to prepare such a great video for us 🥰

[@icttile7648]

good video, ill show some of my General contractors. you would be shocked how many general contractors think you can use mastic anywhere. as i tile guy i have to constantly tell them mastic wont work for large format tile and shower walls. And honestly as a tile contractor, i dont like mastic, i dont like how it spreads, i dont like anything about it other than its pre mixed, i usually always opt for the thinset.

[@spikeconley]

I think it's a little misleading to lump an acrylic like AcrylPro in with "mastics", because it's not really a mastic - it didn't come from a tree. Also it passed ANSI 136.1 6.4 so it doesn't promote mold growth. Most modern premixed adhesives like this are not really mastics. In fact I doubt actual mastic is used anywhere anymore. The term seems to have stuck though. But again mold growth should not be an issue with the modern acrylics. So the reason to not use it in a wet area is not mold, but the fact that the adhesion breaks down when it re-emulsifies. There is also the drying issue you mentioned - it would basically be impossible to use a premixed with large format tiles and Kerdi membrane, for example. That goes for premixed "thinset" as well as acrylic mastic. Even if you read the literature for adhesives such as AcrylPro and Mapei Type 1, they do not even refer to them in their literature as mastics - just as tile adhesives. And if you read the tech sheet for Type 1 it also says mold resistant, and also not to use it over waterproofing or uncoupling membranes.

[@dwaynenero535]

Excellent video. Thanks buddy.

[@hectorm5717]

Is using mastic good on veneer stone for fireplace? There is no heat around this area. Insert fireplace

[@Erated78]

Excellent explanation thank you kindly, much appreciated cheers

[@lifechanges4097]

How can you tell the difference from porcelain tile and other tiles

[@oceanumiliao6706]

Thanks, good info

[@BLackCobraPictures]

Do you always use spacers doing brick-bond subway tiles? I just use mastic (which is awesome) and go by eye, takes 10-20 minutes to do a splash back and returns and it looks awesome.

[@aaronsmith6022]

Thank you for your insight. Very helpful

[@dido1803]

great information!!

[@marcspencer800]

I use it anytime I set tile to sheetrock

[@MelvinDlaCruz]

W you tink about the MusselBound Adhesive Tile Mat?

[@garya2223]

So what is the best mastic for kitchen backsplash, without regard to cost? Mapei Type 1, Acrylpro?

[@mattmason7554]

More then adequate. Spit would work on a backsplash.

[@kumamakanui1514]

Mastic also is flammable

[@racecarrr]

Does the choice of an epoxy or cementious grout have an influence on mastic?

[@sladeoriginal]

I used mastic for a fireplace surround with tiny marble herringbone mosaic, turned out great. I never use the fireplace but I wonder if I did, how would the mastic hold up overtime to increased heat.

[@aleksm6216]

I was going to ask the same question, interested to know

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

Thanks for the advise

[@AndyTanguay]

Thank you for sharing this great information

[@maesterdoctor]

Great information

[@kitaro9336]

Thanks a lot!

[@andrewcelestini7726]

Super helpful!!

[@jhscolombianito7598]

Hi my friend , thank you for your videos. Can I use mastick on durock with this same kind of tile that you are using in the video ?

[@MrStonedgolem]

It's good but it gets wet you get the black mold and they bond suits the bed. Usually standard sheet rock

[@nelsonnelson8961]

Your the best!

[@vdoundakov]

Thank you: great video!

[@JohnGallagher-i8m]

Can mastic be used with 3x6 travertine tiles for a backsplash?

[@fuegoman45]

Thanks coach!!

[@lyonanddebanderson4418]

very helpful, thank you

[@patriotsforegolf9859]

Isaac, My question is can you use mastic like mapei type 1 over painted drywall? I read that I should sand the paint off and then prime it before using mastic - but that was from the company and of course they recommend using their primer too 😂 What is your thought about this

[@williammorris3303]

I did a floor with premix mortar and porcelain tile, it took forever for the floor to cure because the homeowner was running ac off the hook.

[@tb2324]

Can you use mastic for the area above a shower surround? So no direct water, but obviously humidity in the bathroom.

[@notsosilentmajority1]

I was wondering if it could be used in a tub surround with no shower? The store where I purchased the tile recommended the AcrylPro and said that as long as it's not in a shower or somewhere in which it would get direct water it would be fine. This is in a master bath with a separate shower. It's a standard 5' tub, with only 2 1/2 ' of tile going up the wall, what do you recommend? Thanks in advance.

[@anthonymaniacimusic2336]

Very helpful

[@williamantonio3042]

Can you use mastic on polished subway tile? Thankyou

[@benjaminbunny99]

I have a client who wants a subway backsplash. They currently have adhesive tiles now and apparently they’re stuck to hardboard. It’s the hardboard with a melamine surface. Can I tile on this or should I replace it with drywall?

[@bethdawson7958]

Can mastic be used successfully on recycled glass tiles?

[@jwalk4491]

What is your take on double-sided tile tape?

[@CrimeConspiraciesandCoffee4118]

Hey Isaac i have a job this up coming week ..... The home owner removed cabinets from the wall and the whole house is skip trialed lol its not real drastic at all but you can def tell that it has a texture but a laid down skiptrial texture..... So would you skim coat (with drywallmud)that before using mastic and setting them?

[@krystinthaboss7816]

thank you. ☺️

[@kimmy7ify]

Using this set is still adequate though yea?

[@deeruckussolutions8772]

Can mastic be used outdoors?

[@AdventurousMagic]

What about mastic with 8x8 ceramic? I noticed you mentioned subway tile or 6x6 is 8x8 too big?

[@Maverick-kf7is]

Thank you

[@alexcloyd9620]

Unsure why it isn’t an option here, but if you see this, can you enable CC on your video for the hearing impaired? Thanks!

[@poepflater]

I've only known mastic as the white stuff you seal the seams between roof gutter pieces.

[@pleasingsnail7048]

They make pre mixed thinset in buckets too

[@alexanderjamieson7971]

Is mastic good for glass tile with decorative backing? Been using glass tile thinset from mapei and specifically states not to use on glass tile with decorative backing

[@repropcbs218]

Hi, Can i use mastic (mapei type 1 ) on plywood backsplash ? The tile would be set on plywood

[@ericmccarty5066]

Hey man how fast you suggest grouting subway tile after using the mastic for adhesive

[@rymichael7203]

Thanks

[@kathrinwalsch3356]

Can you use mastic to tile the ledge of a baywindow?

[@scottr22]

Isaac. In my experience you can NOT use mastic with hardie backer. It never dries out or sets properly.

[@mattjudy6780]

Correct. Do not use mastic on Hardie. Thin Set is cheaper anyway. Much cheaper in most cases.

[@calebcastano9126]

@@mattjudy6780 thanks.

[@dustinnewsom7261]

Also delaminates after 10 years

[@jenjabba6210]

This comment should be pinned!

[@Thetileguy]

I always skin coat my backsplash with thin set before use mastic is the the tile I use is bigger then 2x6

[@leviledbetter]

Double duty type 2 for life baby

[@mattjudy6780]

I think a good video to do would be to show the DIYers on your channel how to make cuts. Show them L cuts, miters etc. All the different cuts

[@micahrobinson1626]

He has one bro

[@MrTooTechnical]

awesome.