Choosing Brick Slip Adhesive for Your Wall

Write down the material at the fixing surface, not just the construction behind it. “Brick wall” could mean exposed masonry, painted plaster over masonry or a new board fixed to it. These are different bonding surfaces. Include the condition of old coatings and any repairs in the information you give the adhesive manufacturer.

For a board, record the manufacturer, product name, thickness and fixing specification. For existing work, photographs of edges and damaged areas can help an installer identify the layers. Use the wall preparation guide to organise the survey before asking which bag to buy.

A useful enquiry says whether the wall is inside or outside, whether it receives splashes, and whether heat is involved. Add the size of the area and details of corners or openings. These facts help the supplier answer the actual question rather than give a broad recommendation based on a product name.

An adhesive described for external use does not on its own approve an external façade. Likewise, a material classification is not approval for a fireplace chamber. Follow the separate external-use and fireplace checks where relevant. Ask for written clarification if the proposed combination is outside the published instructions.

We list INSTARMAC UltraScape Slipbond Vertical Brick Adhesive 20kg in our brick slips and accessories range. Instarmac’s current technical sheet describes internal and external applications and names sand/cement render, brick and blockwork among its substrates. It gives a 3–20mm application thickness range.

Treat that information as a starting point for specification. It is not blanket approval for every painted wall, plasterboard, insulation panel or proprietary backing. Send the complete proposed build-up to the relevant manufacturers where compatibility is unclear, including the slip product and any primer. A supplier’s confirmation should describe your combination, rather than merely repeat that the adhesive is flexible.

The site calculator uses a planning allowance of one 20kg bag per 2.5m². Slipbond’s technical sheet quotes approximately 5m² per 20kg bag at 3mm depth, with no wastage. These describe different assumptions; neither figure guarantees coverage on your wall.

For an illustrative 10m² area, the calculator allowance gives four bags. Dividing the same area by the sheet’s nominal 3mm coverage gives two bags before waste. The difference is a reason to confirm the specified bed and real consumption, not to halve an order automatically. Surface variation, the approved application method and losses affect what is needed. Do not reduce the required adhesive bed to reach a favourable coverage figure.

Slipbond’s sheet requires removal of contaminants including loose material, paint and grease, and describes preparation for its stated substrates. Follow the applicable instructions for the complete system. A generic primer should not be added just because another installation used one.

Ask who is responsible for confirming the surface is ready: the person preparing the wall, the installer or the system supplier. Resolve that before work starts. If the wall needs levelling or repair, get the repair method agreed rather than assuming adhesive can compensate for any defect. Include that work when comparing quotations.

Working time in the bucket, time available after spreading and readiness for later work describe different stages. Ask the installer how the specified product will be managed on your wall, especially around numerous cuts or awkward access. Have materials and the agreed layout ready so these details are not decided while adhesive is already spread.

Use the current bag instructions, technical sheet and safety information together. If their instructions conflict, ask the manufacturer to resolve the discrepancy before application. Avoid copying a mixing recipe, trowel size or waiting period from a video featuring a different product. The overall installation guide shows where adhesive selection fits into the sequence.

Send a compact specification: slip name and dimensions; support and coatings; preparation or board system; location and exposure; wall area; proposed adhesive bed; and intended pointing product. Include a sketch where the wall changes direction or meets other materials.

Ask the supplier to confirm suitability, preparation requirements, estimated quantity under those assumptions and any limitations. Then check the supplied bags match the agreed product and remain within their stated storage life. Keep the answer with the order so everyone working on the wall has the same reference.