Setting Out The last Hurdle

[bakerloo]

Howdy folks,

In the process of refurbing my shower thanks to all the advice I've found on this forum so firstly a big thanks to all posters. Secondly I'd like some advice with the tiling as i've only ever done small floored area's before.

So far, walls prepped/ rendered (Appropriate drying time given)/ Plasterboard replaced with aqua panel (Correct Tape/ ceramic screws/ gear etc). Tray and internal wall angles silconed/ tiling upstand fitted/ tanked (I know aquapanel doesn't need tanking but shower is x1 wall render, x1 wall sound plaster, x1 stud wall so wanted continuity and 'belt & braces').

Only the tiling remains and here is where i'm stuck.

I want to avoid fill-in pieces where the tile adjoins the tray (Probably a name for that in the trade) particlulary when this is one of the many area's it was leaking from originally. Unneccesarily putting a grout line in a leak-prone area of the shower is just asking for it surely, or am I missing something? If I follow the method, I secure a baton across and tile using that as a base. When this is removed, I in-fill. Can I not just tile straight onto the tray upstand thus avoiding the fill-in pieces moving up the wall as I go. In addition, attaching a baton across would puncture the tanking coat or is it a case of filling screw / nail holes with silicone?
I'm guessing its a visual thing? Or is it more simply that its easier to get the first row on level?


The shower is floor to ceiling, has two internal corners, is open to the front with a hinged door spanning the alcove, to be refitted once tiled.
I decide which wall is going to overlap which and don't tile right into the internal corner but leave an expansion gap of about a tile spacer width against the wall edge. The same applies with each ajoining wall. Similarly I don't grout into the corner but silcone the join, colour matched with the grout. Am I right?

Any advice greatfully received.

B.

[Dave]

On the corners you are right, do the same where tiles meet the tray...

[Stewart]

Sounds good for the internals where the tiles meet. If it works with the layout and the tray is level, them you can tile directly from the tray leaving a couple of mm gap to allow for silicone and expansion.

[bakerloo]

Thanks Dave just wanted to make sure, all that gear wasn't cheap!

[Dave]

I bet but better to overkill than fail hey!!

[bakerloo]

Not wrong. Lasted 18 months before leaking, re-silconed again and again, fitted quadrant etc etc. Ended up ripping the whole thing out. Found out all that would never of worked anyway as there were several culprits, and not just the builder. I just ended up chasing the leak around (Not a bizarre Max Boyce fantasy you understand). I'll have replaced the ceiling below twice by the time it's all finished so she ain't gonna leak, she can't leak, I command it not to leak. Amen