DIY Tiling - Kitchen, Bathroom, Floors etc

**Dan** · 30-07-2008

If you're doing a spot of DIY Tiling then please feel free to post your questions in the main tiling forum and use the prefix 'DIY Related'.

All questions get answered.

**smacko** · 11-08-2008

here's a couple of questions,
would you recommend that i tile the complete floor then place WC and
washbasin ped on top of them, then secure down, or would you leave them in place and tile around them, i was going to do it the first way but then seen some photos on a training site website that seemed to suggest that tiling round them was the way to go.

I know that (almost) everyone on here recommends a min of 18mm ply
to cover exsiting timber floor but ther is no way i can use that thickness,
the most i can do is 9mm...just how high a risk is there of them cracking
(assuming i screw/ringshank nail every 6" and use correct flex cement).

really appreciate the feedback guys....

**deanotile** · 11-08-2008

Tile the floor first and put the WC on top
If the floor is good you can use 6mm baker board.

**whitebeam** · 11-08-2008

I would tile the whole floor then put toilet and pedastal on tiles, The toilet floor is'nt that big so would use 3mm ditra or durabase C1. If your've got bounce on the floor then ply

**cacran** · 29-08-2008

I could not find where to start a new thread, so hope you don't mind me posting here.
We are going to tile the bathroom walls. Just a few questions.
We want to do away with the skirting board, would this look okay tiled to the floor?
We have a very small bathroom so are doing away with the bath and putting in a shower cubicle. I have heard say that the bigger the tiles, the bigger it makes the room look. What do you think?
I am going for pure white gloss tiles and was going to use a border as relief but wondered if it would be better without to make the space look bigger?

GazTech · 29-08-2008

Originally Posted by deanotile

Tile the floor first and put the WC on top
If the floor is good you can use 6mm baker board.

And what type of adhesive are you recommending with 6mm backerboard ?

**ressull** · 18-09-2008

I'm going to tile my bathroom (walls & floor) shortly with porcelain tile which are roughly 60cm x 30cm. The walls are plasterboard and the floor is wooden, which I will cover with 18mm board.

From what i've read on here i'd be far better buying bags of powder adhesive and mix myself rather that pre-mixed tubs. I've only ever used ceramic tiles before and have used pre-mixed but think bags would be better for this job, does that sound right? if so, can anyone recommend what brand/type to buy and roughly how much to expect to pay?

thanks in advance

Russell

**grumpygrouter** · 18-09-2008

Originally Posted by ressull

I'm going to tile my bathroom (walls & floor) shortly with porcelain tile which are roughly 60cm x 30cm. The walls are plasterboard and the floor is wooden, which I will cover with 18mm board.

From what i've read on here i'd be far better buying bags of powder adhesive and mix myself rather that pre-mixed tubs. I've only ever used ceramic tiles before and have used pre-mixed but think bags would be better for this job, does that sound right? if so, can anyone recommend what brand/type to buy and roughly how much to expect to pay?

thanks in advance

Russell

Pre mixed adhesive is not suitable for those particular tiles. You need to use a powdered adhesive that is sutable for porcelain, also a flexible grout. There are many different brands to choose from but you won't go wrong if you choose BAL Single Part Flexible adhesives or the rapid set equivalent if you have some tiling skills. prices can vary widely depending on where you are and if you have independant retailers near you. For BAL SPF expect to pay around £30-35 retail I would imagine.

For your ply overlay, it is best to seal the back and sides first before laying. What you seal it with will depend on the make of adhesive you end up using.

**jonash** · 27-09-2008

Hi,
Doing exactly the same job as Russell, do i have to prime the plasterboard? think yes but would like to know for sure.
thanks

**grumpygrouter** · 27-09-2008

Originally Posted by jonash

Hi,
Doing exactly the same job as Russell, do i have to prime the plasterboard? think yes but would like to know for sure.
thanks

If you are using BAL cement based adhesive, then yes you do. Some adhesive manufacturers say it is not necessary but in any case it would not hurt to do so. priming gives you protection from the possibility of Ettringite Crystalisation forming as the gypsum of the plasterboard can react with the chemicals in the cement based addy.

**Daz** · 27-09-2008

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

If you are using BAL cement based adhesive, then yes you do. Some adhesive manufacturers say it is not necessary but in any case it would not hurt to do so. priming gives you protection from the possibility of Ettringite Crystalisation forming as the gypsum of the plasterboard can react with the chemicals in the cement based addy.

Make sure you use an acrylic primer and not PVA, too.

**Dave** · 27-09-2008

Originally Posted by GazTech

And what type of adhesive are you recommending with 6mm backerboard ?

Did you know that mapei recommend there single part flexi onto hardi backer 6mm on timber floors and not 2 part.....this i was told yesterday by mapei rep info at CTD...

**deanotile** · 27-09-2008

Originally Posted by Dave

Did you know that mapei recommend there single part flexi onto hardi backer 6mm on timber floors and not 2 part.....this i was told yesterday by mapei rep info at CTD...

Yes m8 the hardy rep told me the same thing