Chipboard floor - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

Tulett · 26-04-2007

Hi all, I'm a DIYer looking for some advice! Apologies if this has been asked before but I'm getting confused with conflicting info.

I'm in the process of decorating my en-suite and my query is with floor tiling. I've got 18mm chipboard nailed to the joists and am unsure how to proceed. From searching the net it seems there are conflicting views between using a special flexi adhesive like BAL fastflex to tile straight over the chipboard, or laying down ply or tile backing board the tiling over using something like BAL Rapidset Flexible.

Can anyone help please?????? Ideally I don't want to raise the floor level to high.

Thanks in advance

26-04-2007

It should be 18mm thick at least for the fixing to be correct. Make sure the joints are well glued together and secured well to the floor.

If you find the floor is not solid to the joists or is 'bouncy' after the fixing, then you need to ply out with at least 15mm plywood.

In any case, you will need to prime the surface with acrylic primer (as directed by the brand on the label) and use a corresponding brand of flexible adhesive & grout.

Use a bead of colour corresponding silicone around the floor edge to act as a movement joint

tony TLC · 26-04-2007

very good advice screws are better than nails,nails can work loose

**Varley** · 26-04-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony TLC

very good advice screws are better than nails,nails can work loose

I always use screws as well, turbo gold 25mm screws for 12mm ply and 30mm for 18mm ply from screwfix, long enough to go through into floor boards but not too long as to come out the other end and burst a pipe. Bloody good quality screws

trevortine · 26-04-2007

Hi tullet, in my opinion your situation is straightforward, as concept said make sure your subfloor is well fixed with no movement. Now this plywood thing, yes there is british standards but unless you want to access your bathroom with step ladders then i would leave it out. As a general rule i always ply out but if you dont want the step then bal fast flex is your answer. This is a two part flexible adhesive which is ideally suited to tiling onto chipboard. Once down providing you follow instructions, its there for life, its probably the most flexible gear out there and the worst to clean up after so wear latex gloves mate

Tulett · 27-04-2007

Thanks for all the advice.

Definitely gonna screw the chipboard aswell to ensure it's secure. If I lay a 6mm ply or backerboard over the chipboard, ensuring it's securely fixed again, then use BAL fastflex, will this do the job whilst reducing the end height floor? The guys at BAL seemed to agree this would be sufficient

Cheers again

**wivers** · 27-04-2007

If your gonna ply out mate then fast flex aint a must. You can use BAL rapidset flexi on ply thats screwed down correctly, just remeber to slap the BAL bond all over it first.

tjsmiler · 13-07-2007

Tulett...how did this job go in the end?

There are probably many new comers to this forum who would appreciate you explaining how you got on.

TJ

**Dave** · 13-07-2007

PRIMER NOT REQUIRED ON PLY when using bal rapid flexi-set..... already built in to adhesive...

GazTech · 13-07-2007

[quote=dhceramics;17173]PRIMER NOT REQUIRED ON PLY when using bal rapid flexi-set..... already built in to adhesive...[/quote]If in doubt prime it out,thats my advice to newcomers,priming a surface that needs no primer won't do it any harm[IMG]http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/images/icons/icon14.gif[/IMG]