B&Q Select Marble Wall Tiles

[cgadmin23]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading some posts about marble tiles and what sort of preparation you need before tiling.

I have bought some B&Q Select Marble Wall Tiles which are 305mm x 305mm x 10mm. I don't know the weight yet as they haven't arrived.

I will be removing the existing tiles from the wall and then tiling the new marble ones.

Of course as a rookie I never gave any thought to the requirements needed!

I expect that the wall has a plaster covering of sorts and would like to know my options.

This is my first tiling job so any advice would be appreciated.

Regards

Chris

[wivers]

If its a plaster wall mate there shouldn't be too much trouble with the walls after you take the tiles off. You may have to chip offf some of the old addy or bond over some holes if the tiles have clung well.

If the walls turn out to be skimmed plasterboard though, you may find that you'll need to replace the boards coz removing the tiles can ripp the hell outa them

Whats the tiling like on the walls now is it sound?

[cgadmin23]

Thanks Wivers,

Yes the current tiling looks very solid. There appears to be no faults whatsoever.

The only wall that may be an issue maybe the front wall as this is a stud wall. (front wall of the dormer) However, the tiling will only go to a height of 1 metre due to a sloping roof.

Do you think I need to prepare this wall specially?

Regards

Chris

[wivers]

The only prob u may get m8 is that the plasterbard ripps to bits as u remove the tiles.

It's not too difficult to replace new board to the studs if its too bigger mess.

[cgadmin23]

Thanks mate,

I'll find out more when I start ripping things out!

Best regards

Chris

[grumpygrouter]

You might want to consider the weight limitations for a plaster wall - 20kg/m2 max, including adhesive and grout.

[cgadmin23]

If the weight is greater than 20 kg/m2 and I need to strengthen the wall, what do I need to do?

Do I need to strip the walls back to the brick and have then covered or are there alternative options?

I have never plastered or anything like that before so wouldn't know where to begin.

Regards

Chris

[grumpygrouter]

If you have plaster walls, you may be easier to have a cermaic tile and not natural stone. Try getting a ceramic marbel lookalike. otherwise, yes you would need to do additional work to make the walls suitable.

[wivers]

Theres no way those tiles are gonna be too heavy.

[grumpygrouter]

Theres no way those tiles are gonna be too heavy.

You don't think 30kg/m2 is too heavy for a plaster finish Wivs?

[wivers]

Do you think they will fall off or ripp the plaster away?

[grumpygrouter]

Wouldn't like to say but the potential is there for them to do so.

[cgadmin23]

Ok.

I'm not sure what to try here. I've read about hardibacker boards and the fact that they can definately withstand the weight of marble tiles. However, I'm not sure how to install these.

Can these be fixed onto brick? or an existing plaster wall? and if so how are they fixed in place?

Any advice appreciated.

Regards

Chris