Good morning.

The scenario...Long lounge wall with central chimney breast. House is 60s style bungalow. I would like to cover walls either side of chimney with 600 x 400 travertine tiles. One wall had loose plaster and has been cleaned back to brick. Other wall has good plaster on brick. I've been told by Topps that neither wall is suitable for direct mounting of t/tine without prior strapping and drywall. This is not acceptable. I can understand heavy tiles pulling plaster off but not solid brick surely?
Is it not possible to tile directly to the clean brick using some suitable adhesive and if so which one? Alternatively, would it be acceptable to ensure the plaster is sound using hammer in fixings through to the brick?

Lotsa questions.

Many thanks.

Derek. (dead keen DIYer)

you should be able to tile on to the brick, but i would strip the plaster on the other side back so you have a better fixing and they are the same level. Adisive choice depends on which manufacturer you use, if BAL I would use SPF if mapei then keraflex maxi. Mind seal your tiles prior to fixing,

Just for ref max wieght for plaster is 20kg p/m2

OK. Thanks for that. What seal, how and why please?

Hi Derek,
Travertine marble is porous and will need an impregnator sealer. If you are purchasing from Topps Fila travertine impregnator sealer is the one for you.
Bal single part or Natural stone adhesive is fine for your tiles, but you need white adhesive to stop bleed through of colour. Prior to fixing the tiles with a solid bed of adhesive , prime the brick with Bal bond SBR.....Gaz

Thanks. Keep thinking up new questions...........Can I get away with minimal gap between tiles -I'm thinking 1mm or less- cos it (I think) would look better with little or even no grout at all.

Originally Posted by Druk

Thanks. Keep thinking up new questions...........Can I get away with minimal gap between tiles -I'm thinking 1mm or less- cos it (I think) would look better with little or even no grout at all.

Derek I wouldn't recommend anything less than 2mm joint, there has to be some expansion within the joint, so make your grout flexible as well......Gaz

Hi Druk

If you're fixing directly to brick, it needs to be fairfaced brickwork.
In other words, brickwork in good condition. Neatly built, nice and flat.
Cement based tile adhesive can only be used upto a 6mm bed, 10mm in isolated areas. If your brickwork is all over the shop, then it's not suitable to tile to.
I'd go with rendering the walls, then tiling.

Originally Posted by Druk

Thanks. Keep thinking up new questions...........Can I get away with minimal gap between tiles -I'm thinking 1mm or less- cos it (I think) would look better with little or even no grout at all.

As Gaz said, 2mm minimum, but I would go with 3 or even 4mm with Trav. For no other reason than it looks better, IMO.

Re - rendering...does that mean a skim of cement? as opposed to plaster.

ta.

Or glue and screw hardibacker......then tile direct onto that

If you can get hold of mapei Keraflex maxi it will give 3-15 mm bed

I'm with branty,
sand & cement render,wood (plastic these days) float with half a dozen panel pins to create a key,then tile onto this. If you know exactly where the top of your travertine finishes,fix a temporary lathe and skim above prior to tiling.If you're having an open fire it'll be worthwhile adding hydrated lime to your render mix. Ratio 4.5 (plastering sand) 1 (cement) 0.5 (hydrated lime).Can you tell I served my time as a plasterer!

All great stuff guys. Thanks for taking the time.