The construction chemicals sector in Turkey has grown rapidly over the last 15 years. Product variety has increased, from ceramic adhesives and waterproofing to epoxy products and acoustic plasters; technology has advanced, and production has become localized. However, one thing remains unchanged when you look at the field: there are many products, but a lack of knowledge .
Today, a large portion of the problems encountered on construction sites stem not from product quality, but incorrect product selection, wrong combinations, and inadequate surface preparation . This article addresses the most common mistakes in construction chemicals, covering every product group, and offers clear solutions for manufacturers, distributors, and applicators.
1. Ceramic – Granite – Marble Adhesives: Saying "It Holds" Isn't Enough
In Turkey, the most common approach is still: "This adhesive will go anywhere."
However, large-sized ceramics, low-absorbency granites, and natural stones do not accept the same adhesive .
The Unseen Cost of Faulty Practices and Solutions
The most common mistakes on the field:
Standard C1 adhesive is used for large-format ceramics
Ignoring the need for flexibility in granite applications
Selecting products unsuitable for freeze-thaw cycles on the exterior facade
The right approach:
C2 S1 / S2 class adhesive if the substrate is mobile.
High adhesion and flexibility are essential for outdoor use
Special formulations that prevent discoloration in marble
Here, the manufacturer's job is not just to sell the product, but also to explain where the product should not be used .
2. Grout Products: The Smallest Detail, the Biggest Complaint
Joints are usually done at the very end of the job and in a hurry. But the majority of customer complaints from the joints .
The most common problems are:
Color variation
Mold
Cracking and dusting
From where?
Choosing the wrong type of grout for the environment
Failure to consider resistance to water, chemicals, or movement
In wet areas, industrial spaces, or outdoor environments, standard cement-based joints are insufficient . This is where epoxy or specially formulated joint systems come into play.
3. Waterproofing and Thermal Insulation: Still the Most Misunderstood Area
In Turkey, the area with the most incorrect application in the construction chemicals sector is waterproofing .
Common misconception: "One coat is enough."
However, waterproofing is a systems process :
Correct lining
Correct coefficient
Correct detail solutions
Similarly, when it comes to thermal insulation, only the thickness of the insulation panels is discussed; the quality of the adhesive, plaster, and mesh is often overlooked. The result: cracked facades and peeling plaster within a few years.
4. Flooring Products and Technical Mortars: Load-Bearing Surfaces Silently Give Alarm Signals
Flooring products are generally invisible, but they are the most critical layer of a structure.
Self-leveling alums
Industrial floor coverings
Repair and leveling fees
A small mistake in using these products can render the entire top coating useless. Especially in damp environments , applications without a moisture barrier can lead to significant costs in the future.
5. Primers and Preservatives: The Most Overlooked, Most Critical Product Group
Many craftsmen view lining as an "unnecessary expense." However, lining is the insurance of the entire system.
It balances surface absorption
Increases adhesion
It multiplies the performance of the top product
In applications without primers, problems don't appear immediately; they manifest months later . That's why primers are the most difficult product line to sell, yet the most vital one, for manufacturers.
6. Epoxy, Polyurethane, and Acoustic Plasters: A Growing Market, Increasing Need for Knowledge
Industrial facilities, parking lots, hospitals, hotels…
Demand for epoxy and polyurethane products is increasing. However, these products require skilled workmanship
Using the wrong mixing ratio, incorrect curing time, or neglecting environmental conditions can render the entire application useless.
Acoustic plasters are still beginning to be understood in Türkiye. As noise regulations increase, this product group will become one of the important areas of the sector in the coming years.
Conclusion: In Türkiye's construction chemicals industry, the real competition will be won not with the product, but with knowledge
Today, the quality gap in the construction chemicals sector is closing. Now, what makes the difference is:
Correct guidance
A solution suitable for the field
The manufacturer's approach of training the practitioner
In Turkey, long-term success in this sector will be possible not by "selling the same product to everyone," but
"describing the right product for each project."
Construction chemicals are invisible, but they determine the fate of buildings.
And that fate is written with the right information.
