Hi guys, I need some advice please- we had a shower installed above the bath where around the bath the walls are tiled but not as high as where the show was installed. Basically the walls (plasterboard I think) where the shower is installed are painted with 4 layers of steam and water resistant Dulux bathroom paint . The area does get splashes when someone is having a shower. I was told if I put laiminate sheeting on the painted wall would be good to ensure waterproofing. Is that right or must I tile the wall? Thanks and hope someone can get back to me soon.

hi

there's no law that says you have to tile, but the 4 layers of paint are only water resistant and not waterproof. eventually the paint could start to break down after continuous use of the shower and you could find the water will seep into the plasterboard and start to ruin the boards both inside the bathroom and the other side if a room adjoins. And when plasterboard gets wet and cannot dry out thoroughly, it will start to go mouldy. I had this problem within my shower cubicle (which was tiled, very badly) and the plasterboard was crumbling and the tiles were almost dropping off the walls because water was ingressing into the plasterboard. Also the insulation and adjoining plasterboard from the next room were turning mouldy.

There are other options on the market that are an alternative to tiles, however I would suggest you do your research as these can prove just as expensive as tiles.

my recommendation would be to strip back the existing tiles, check the existing plasterboard is sound, tank it (either a paintable waterproofing gum or sheets of tanking material by any of the big tile adhesive manufacturers), re-tile full height from bath to ceiling using the right adhesives and grouts.

nothing is impermeable forever. Eventually tiles and grouts will break down, but modern manufacturers have this high on their agendas and are working to produce the most technologically advanced materials that they can so people don't have to replace tiles/adhesives/grout for years and years.

Thanks very much GirlRacerRed. I must check around and for lasting materials. Can I just ask is the price usually a precise reflection of quality? I had been to a tiling shoping and some 6'x6' plain tiles are just 10pence each while some other are £1 each. In a case like this (say for tiles), does it mean the cheaper one will disintegrate much quicker or are there guideance of how long they should survive? Moc

spot on advice,the only thing i will add is if tiled/tanked properly the work should almost outlive yourself and is the most practible and long term solution

Generally speaking Mocha, price is reflected in the quality of tiles, most pro's would like to ban DIY sheds stocking tiles as the quality is usually pretty bad! You get anything from differing sizes in the same box, to blurry patterns on the glaze, and poor quality clay used in the manufacture.

Hello, I am not sure if I should start a new thread- I have called a number of tilers (some I just left message) and a couple I spoke to said the job is too small and it is not worth their time (most found on yellow page and a few online). Is there a tiler directory I could go onto for those who doesn't mind doing a small job??

One guy I spoke to said I should buy the adhesive and tiles myself (I knew I had to buy tiles myself but didn't know about adhesive. Does it mean generally I am expected to supply grout and stuffl for the tilers?)

Also, the guy said if I go for ceramic tiles since they are non-porous it is all down to the quality of the adhesive and grout to ensure the tiling last. Please let me know what you think. Thanks a bunch.

Mocha