Problem wall?

**rts1234** · 25-01-2011

Hi, I need some help. I intend to have a new kitchen fitted soon and am removing old tiles in preparation for the new ones. The plaster has come off in places on the solid walls and I have patched the holes up. The walls are now level and hopefully ready to tile. Do I need to do any further preparation? In addition, one of the walls is a stud wall and the plasterboard is falling apart as the tiles are removed. It was suggested to me that I remove the plasterboard which is behind the cooker and between the worktop and cupboards and replace with plywood and tile directy to this. It this a good idea or is there a better way? I appreciate any ideas or guidance. Thanks.

**GirlRacerRed** · 25-01-2011

hi rts

avoid plywood. go for plasterboard. if that is what is there now, replace like for like and the plasterboard will be a lovely surface to tile straight on to without having to plaster over the top of it first. plus you'll find plasterboard is probably the same price as ply or there's very little difference in the cost.

as soon as the holes are patched, and you've put in your new sections of plasterboard, make sure you get the most suitable adhesive for your tiles (both size and composition of tiles) and prime the walls before you start tiling.

hope this helps
GRR

**rts1234** · 25-01-2011

Thanks for the fast reply. I have done some diy tiling in the past but have never used a primer. Do I prime the plasterboard as well as the solid walls? Is a particular primer that you could recommend? Thanks again for the advice.

**GirlRacerRed** · 25-01-2011

yes, prime everything that you're going to be tiling over. do you have a Tile Giant store anywhere near you? they will stock Mapei adhesives, grouts and primers and their staff will help you to figure out which products are best for the job you're doing.

Personally, I've only ever used BAL primer myself but you will find all the big manufacturers like Mapei, BAL and so on will all do their own primer product somewhere in their range.

Try to get the same manufacturer for the adhesives, grouts and primer you will use as this will help for the products to work with each other, whereas products from different manufacturers may not work so well together.