Floor Strengthening

[graybags]

Just wondering if my bathroom floor needs strengthening before tiling. It's new build, chipboard on joists at the correct centres, no noticeable flex approximately 2.0 x 2.5m, with the joists spanning the shortest width. If the general consensus is that it does, would you recommend 9.5,12 or (hopefully not!) 18mm ?. Also should I extend the ply (or wedi if better) under the bath ?

Thanks

[garretridge]

you should over ply with at least 12mm at 150mm centres to be on the save side and prime the ply as well before you tile i no some people have tiled directly onto chipboard and its worked fine but not good practice!

[garretridge]

sorry forgot to say wedi if possible it comes in 10mm thickness and 12.5mm better option a little dearer but keeps everything watertight for your peace of mind!

[2Balls]

Hi, If your going to go the Wedi route for the floor, consider using Wedi to make the Bath pannel.2600x600x20, you´ll have enough left over to do any boxing in ect.You can easily make a inspections hole near the plumbing using magnetic catches(schlüter Rema) for example.The bath should be supported with wall anchors and feet, not the Wedi!2Balls

[graybags]

Thanks for that, but any point extending the wedi under the bath (could be too late by now if the plumber has called today already !). The bath is being firmly attached to the wall/floor with appropriate battens/framework etc

[2Balls]

When the frame work is already there then no.2Balls

[Dave]

what type of bath panel is going on...has the plumber allowed the extra height for this....?

As for the floor the hardi-backer 250 is the way to go..

[tile55]

Personally I would go the Schluter Ditra-matting route
Schlüter-DITRA - Schlüter-Systems
check it out, easier and cheaper than ply with less weight issues.

[Dave]

But ditra isn't for deflection uses....

[Leatherface]

Or if depth is an issue, then use No More Ply boards,
only 6mm thick but expensive No more ply, water resistant tile backer board

[graybags]

I'll be making (and tiling) the bath panel, so no issue with heights on that fortunately.

No more ply sounds like a good shout,although is it designed more for water resistance rather than strengthening ? any idea of any suppliers in Hertfordshire ?

Ta

[grumpygrouter]

I'll be making (and tiling) the bath panel, so no issue with heights on that fortunately.

No more ply sounds like a good shout,although is it designed more for water resistance rather than strengthening ? any idea of any suppliers in Hertfordshire ?

Ta

If you are looking to strengthen the floor then there really isn't much alternative to ply of an appropriate thickness. Neither Wedi, hardie or Ditra will add strength to the floor according to manufactures spec. They all say the floor should be suitably load bearing before laying board/sheets and tiles!

Only No More Ply claim to be as strong as ply in their brochure but as yet none of the reps of the company has shown written evidence that it does so.

[graybags]

Sounds like back to the simplicity of ply then, but still wonder if the floor needs strengthening seeing as it is new build...............any advance ?!

[grumpygrouter]

Sounds like back to the simplicity of ply then, but still wonder if the floor needs strengthening seeing as it is new build...............any advance ?!

fill a glass of water right up to the brim, carefully place in the centre of the floor and walk around it, then try jumping up and down. If the water stays in the glass it is strong enough! In which case, take you pick of what you want to do. You can use a good adhesive designed to go straight down or, as I am tending to favour now, 6mm hardiebacker.

[Leatherface]

I'll be making (and tiling) the bath panel, so no issue with heights on that fortunately.

No more ply sounds like a good shout,although is it designed more for water resistance rather than strengthening ? any idea of any suppliers in Hertfordshire ?

Ta

Very strong, cement based board !

[LM Ceramics]

id go with 18mm ply on the floor then prime the sides and back of the ply