Tumbled Marble Mosaic in shower enclosure - pitfalls?

[Stefmcdef]

Hullo tilers - I need to pick your collective brains so thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

I have some tumbled marble mosaic tiles that I plan to use to cover two walls of a quadrant-shaped shower enclosure. A plumber has already fitted the shower tray and plumbing for the shower. The area involved is 800cm x 800cm x 1800cm. One wall is plaster on top of brickwork, the other is plasterboard. Would either of these surfaces to be "tanked" or waterproofed in some way? Also, would you fit the shower enclosure and tile up to it, or tile first and then fit the shower enclosure?

Are there any particular pitfalls involved in using these tiles in that situation? What is the best way to seal them? How often do they have to be resealed? Or are they simply too porous for this application?

Here's a pic of the tiles:



Also, what special measures need to be taken when applying adhesive and grout to them?

I have tiled round baths, kitchen splashbacks, chimney breasts etc before and achieved satisfactory, decent results, albeit with bigger tiles, never with mosaic, and always with a more "shiny" finish to the tiles involved.

On the face of it this seems less complicated than previous tiling jobs I've attempted but because of the porosity of the materials and the amount of grout involved I suspect it might be more difficult.

If I do decide to hand the job over to a pro tiler, what should I insist upon in terms of sealing, grouting etc? Is this going to be more labour intensive - and hence more expensive - than using more "normal" tiles?

Thanks in advance for any advice offered.

[Leatherface]

Hi
definately tank all wet areas, regardless of which tiles you are using.
If this is done correctly with the proper joint tape and adhesive then you should have no problems.
Tiles should be sealed at least twice before grouting and once after. Making sure that any excess sealer is removed before it oxidises on the surface of the tiles.
Many manufacturers of sealers also supply a cleaner, which when used in conjunction with the sealer, helps to maintain its sealing properties.
Would be an idea to seal every 12 months in the shower area.
When grouting, the grout should be allowed to harden sufficiently enough so that it does not wipe out of the joints when it is cleaned off.
Make sure you change your water regularily when cleaning off grout

Yes - more expensive because of extra labour for sealing, grouting, cleaning, cutting etc

[whitebeam]

I tend to grout first then seal, plenty of clean water though when cleaning the haze off

[faithhealer]

Always takes a bit extra time to get them 'flat' and 'in line' the mesh doesn't hold them square all the time

[wetdec]

I tend to grout first then seal, plenty of clean water though when cleaning the haze off

Especially with unfilled trav


..

[Stefmcdef]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Can I just ask again about tiling up to the inside of the shower enclosure - is that OK, or do I have to tile past it and then fix the shower enclosure to the tiles? If so, what is the best way to get a straight edge to the bit of the mosaic panels that goes past the edge of the shower enclosure?

Also can you recommend a tanking product?

And a sealant/cleaner combo?

Thanks again in advance for your advice...

[wetdec]

Thanks for the replies guys,

Can I just ask again about tiling up to the inside of the shower enclosure - is that OK, or do I have to tile past it and then fix the shower enclosure to the tiles? If so, what is the best way to get a straight edge to the bit of the mosaic panels that goes past the edge of the shower enclosure?

No you tile past the shower, use a 10mm plus tile trim in a metal say chrome as th plastic ones dont really go with stone

Also can you recommend a tanking product?

Wetdecs are now doing a tanking kit specifically for showers.

The kit comprises of a pre made corner, corner tape, waterproofing product and a membrane to go under the base ensuring no tanking problems with the floor.

And a sealant/cleaner combo?

Look to lithofin products for this

Thanks again in advance for your advice...

Hope this is of some help

..