Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage.
How to lay tile on plywood wall.
The preferred method for tile installations is to use a sheet of underlayment.
Do not install glass tile over particleboard chipboard masonite press wood plywood or asbestos surfaces.
Center your tile in the bathroom.
Use long sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations.
To install the concrete board apply tile adhesive to the back then press it down against the plywood.
Step 4 center.
Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go.
Never install new tiles over existing tiles or onto an unprotected wood or plywood floor.
Laying tile to veneer plywood risks loosening and unbonding the veneer creating an unstable base for the tile.
For the best results when tiling onto plywood floors follow these instructions.
For wall installations plywood is overkill beneath the concrete or fiber board which is designed in five eighths inch material for wall settings.
If you put tile directly on top of plywood it will chip and break.
Use your drill to make this job simpler.
Space the field and edge fasteners correctly the top layer of plywood should be screwed down every 8 inches on the edge and every 6 inches in the field or interior section.
If possible you should always use concrete board underlayments rather than plywood.
Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water.
Under british standards bs 5385 part 1 plywood has now been excluded as a suitable substrate material for the direct fixing of wall tiles therefore when tiling on to walls a tile backer board is required however tiling onto plywood floors is still acceptable under british standards.
Wall preparation keep the installation surface clean and dry.
Then you want to install screws into the concrete board in each of the holes.
Clean and heavily score area to where tiles are to be fixed it sounds like the adhesive does not have a rough surface in which to secure itself to.