help needed - tiling gyprock - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

DNL · 08-07-2008

Hi there Tilers Forum UK - hopefully you guys over there can help with my current predicament in Australia (and I promise not to talk about cricket if you guys leave the rugby alone!)

I am renovating the kitchen and have sealed the gyprock walls with a one step primer/sealer/undercoat. I am going to install glass mosaic tiles for the splashback - but now I am receiving advice that I should not have sealed the walls but tiled straight onto the gyprock - after using a water based multi-sealer only on the wall.

So to avoid tiles falling off the wall - what do I do?

I've just read I should be able to sand over the sealed/undercoated wall and this will allow for the adhesive to hold. Should I do this or fit another sheet of cement fibre board over the wall and tile direct onto that?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

cheers
Dave

**MICK the Tiler** · 08-07-2008

Hi Dave,

and welcome to the forums

If you have used a sealer/ primer /undercoat you should be fine just give the surface a good sand first and wipe any dust off with a damp sponge.

Have you ever laid glass before? Tricky stuff

DNL · 08-07-2008

hey Mick. Thanks for the response mate. I will give the wall a good sanding - but I take it not to the point where all the primer is removed?

no I have not laid glass before. I was intending to use a number of spacers to stop the smaller mosaics sagging.

I've tiled the bathroom previously - albeit 12 years ago, and I intend to take my time and get the prep right.

I will be using a Davco cement based colorgrout with the Glass Mosaic additive to use it as the adhesive/grout. This is on advice from the tile supplies.

Once again thanks.
Dave

**MICK the Tiler** · 08-07-2008

Just sand enough to scuff the surface, this will be enough to get a good bond. Make sure the walls are very flat and smooth prep is everything when it comes to mosaic work. If you intend to use the adhesive/grout combination to fix your tiles it can be easier to lay the sheets on something flat and glue the actual sheet back instead of the wall then pick the sheets up and lay them over a soft rubber float a gently press them onto the wall filling in any hollow joints as you go.

Cheers Mick

**Dave** · 08-07-2008

Hi DNL ( Dave).......don't forget to post us some pics of the finished job......please!!!..

....we love pics...

DNL · 09-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MICK the Tiler

Just sand enough to scuff the surface, this will be enough to get a good bond. Make sure the walls are very flat and smooth prep is everything when it comes to mosaic work. If you intend to use the adhesive/grout combination to fix your tiles it can be easier to lay the sheets on something flat and glue the actual sheet back instead of the wall then pick the sheets up and lay them over a soft rubber float a gently press them onto the wall filling in any hollow joints as you go.

Cheers Mick

Thanks for that Mick. I do have a couple of issues. One is there are slight indentations where I moved and patched powerpoints - I was going to use an extra amount of adhesive into those areas to fill out flush with the wall.

Other issue is there is a bow in a section of the wall. It is about 10mm at its maximum point, so i was thinking the mosaic sheet will just follow the imperfection.

Thanks for the tip on putting adhesive on the back of the sheet first. how thick would you recommend?

The tiling place indicated to put the grout on the wall and when pushing the tile on, the grout will come through from the back of the tile to fill the gaps, then only a wipe over and maybe a little touch up grouting to be done from the front. I would imagine I need to have at least 4-5mm of adhesive on the back of the tile to achieve this.

Anyway, short of getting someone in to tile, I think this will be good learning curve. The other thing I am doing is tile first and fit the s/steel splash back afterwards.

Cheers - and photos will be uploaded once finished.

**MICK the Tiler** · 09-07-2008

Hi Dave,

By all means try fixing the tiles both ways, glueing the wall first and bedding tiles in then try the way I suggested. The reason I trowel the back of the sheets first is that I find I can get more of the Glue/grout to push through the mesh at first so once i bed them onto the wall there is less filling while I'm wiping down. This technique is also messy so don't panick if you make a mess. just clean as you go.

Make sure all holes and patches are filled with plaster and sanded smooth before appling your tiles. Any bows should be ok as long as you are not sighting the tiles down the lenght of the wall which will show up the bow. If the are to be veiwed from the front only them you should be fine.

Cheers Mick

DNL · 09-07-2008

Mick - thanks - once again mate. After mulling over your last post I decided (while walking the dog tonight) that I would patch those powerpoint holes a tad better.

Also, I need to fill some of the recess on the edge of a sheet that runs under the window. In hindsight I would have used a 1350 sheet instead of 1200 and then I wouldn't have the issue.

Basically mate, I've got more from you over the last couple of nights than numerous discussions with teh tile shop - which sometimes conflicts depending on who you talk to.

So - prep prep prep and all should go well.

The bowing in the wall will be ok as you can only look at this wall from the front, so it is unlikely to be noticeable.

thanks mate
Dave

**MICK the Tiler** · 09-07-2008

Yes the recess joints will have to be filled and sanded smooth.

When it comes time to fixing the mosaics do any cut-outs dry first. as an example if you have to cut around a power point mark out the hole 5mm smaller than the point. Down here power point holes are usually 100mm x 60mm mark this on the sheet with a fine point felt tip pen and cut it out on the sheet. Don't try and make holes bigger then try and fill the tiles in around the point or whatever your cutting around, you'll just make a mess. Keep the sheets together as much as possible.

DNL · 11-07-2008

Cheers Mick

I'm now up to the stage of putting the tiles on the wall. I've sanded the area, bogged the areas that needed it, filled the sheet edge recesss, cut the tiles to slide in behind power point housing and have just finished spakfilling the gap between the wall and bench top.

I'm preparing to leave around 3mm - the width of a spacer - from the bottom of the tile and the bench top. Instead of grouting this, I will seal with black silicone.

I thought I would have the first row of mosaic sheets on today, but I must admit it is has taken most of the day doing the prep, letting base coat dry and now I feel more comfortable that I will end up with a good finished product.

The photos are of the kitchen pull down. from Left to Right - the old kitchen, the kitchen getting ready to come out, tiles coming off, cupboards being taken out and finally - the wall gone

DNL · 11-07-2008

Some more photos for you to enjoy,

From left to right

My mate and I re-sheeting walls (got the mate up the wall working!), kitchen delivered; kitchen installed and waiting for bench tops; bench top installed and range hood on.

More photos to follow when I start laying the tiles.

Thanks for all the advice - I feel much more confident now! Just about to let things set a tad from today, enjoy a nice hot lamb curry and beer or two and then lay the first course of tile sheets.

**MICK the Tiler** · 11-07-2008

Nice looking Kitchen Dave,

That's a big wall to do in glass mosaics m8. are you ssure your confident enough? It will take you a while.

I'd be tempted to ditch the adhesive/grout combo and glue and grout seperate M8 now I've seen how big a splash it is.

Where abouts are you I might be able to pop round for a look and some advice for YA?