Help... is this the right way to tile my bathroom?

[bunnycd]

Would really like some advice peeps xxx

I had an unfortunate experience with a tiler (I dont think he was one really) I employed this guy to tile my bathroom, he put the tiles on with unibond with 5 dabs and it never bonded after 48 hours the tiles started to fall off from a great height, one even smashed near my babies head so after that I was scared and sacked him and I took the decision to find someone else.

Now, the new guy has said he has 30 years experience and I have followed up his reference but I am a bit worried, he said that my walls are not good enough to tile straight onto and recommended that he puts plasterboard on the walls prior to tiling, is this the right thing to do? I have included photos of my bathroom below but wanted to know what you think? Is there anything I should look out for, is putting plasterboard all over the walls before tiling the right way to go? He also said the wall above bathroom needs plasterboard but this looks ok to me, what do you think?:

[Bri]

They aren't in the best condition. The paint on the bath wall needs removing and quite alot of repair work needs doing in other areas, in fairness to this guy it would probably be cheaper and quicker to reboard the walls than sand the paint off and patch the other areas.

[whitebeam]

What tiles are you having fixed, ceramic etc.

[Del W]

Has he tried to tile on tile aswell. if so strip wall back and plasterboard.

[bunnycd]

They are Laura Ashley porcelain tiles that are 24.5cm x 39cm, this is the bit by the shower:

[Bri]

The last pic does look like tiles Del, that wasn't there when I posted!

[Bri]

They are Laura Ashley porcelain tiles that are 24.5cm x 39cm, this is the bit by the shower:

That need taking off bunny, and I would give some serious thought to tanking the new plasterboard in the shower area.

[doug boardley]

welcome back bunny, my advice would be to rip off the existing plasterboard and reboard it.

[whitebeam]

Plaster will take 20kg in weight, plasterboard will take 32kg, your tiles will be about 24kg at 10mm thick which why your tiler has suggested plasterboard.

[bunnycd]

Thanks for your responses boy your quick...The guy who came today said he will remove the shower unit in the picture above and the plasterboard and reboard all around the shower. Is this the way to go?

[bunnycd]

Has he tried to tile on tile aswell. if so strip wall back and plasterboard.

Yes there are still tiles on the wall as the other tiles were on top of the tiles, does he need to remove these before putting on the plasterboard.

[doug boardley]

Thanks for your responses boy your quick...The guy who came today said he will remove the shower unit in the picture above and the plasterboard and reboard all around the shower. Is this the way to go?

yes bunny, that's the way to go. Ask about tanking too

[whitebeam]

Yes there are still tiles on the wall as the other tiles were on top of the tiles, does he need to remove these before putting on the plasterboard.

The existing tiles need to be removed.

[diamondtiling]

It is the way to go, your plasterboard is shot and needs replacing. You should give serious thought to tanking or aqua panels.


It seems your new tiler wants to get the preperation right and that can only be a good thing.

[Del W]

For piece of mind...strip every thing back and start again. youll sleep better.

[bunnycd]

Yes it is positive that he wants to get the prep right, what is tanking or aqua panels?

[RWM]

They are waterproofing systems you WILL need for your shower area!!

[bunnycd]

Thanks please can you expand, what do I need to make sure he does around the shower area, I think he was going to put plasterboard on followed by tiles.

[kilty55]

he can plasterboard and tile no probs,its better to have a tanking/waterproofing kit aplied first however its a better job

maybe mention to him that you would like this

[bunnycd]

Great thanks so much so he can just plasterboard and tile but it is better to have a tanking kit

[kilty55]

yes he can just tile it but the better job is to tank it first

[easyt]

If enough water is sprayed onto tiles it will get through the grout. Tanking will prevent this from affecting the plasterboard.

Also powdered adhesive that is mixed with water before use will not be affected by any water that does get through the grout. Ready mixed adhesive softens and therefore best not used.

[TTT]

If it was me doing this job id want to take off all tiles (tiling on top of tiles on a wall isn't a good thing could end up being over the weight limit for the plaster plus the old tiles might not take the weight) replace all damaged plasterboard and plasterboard that has alot of old adhesive stuck to it, score all painted walls and scrape off anything that is loose (i would be checking the weight of the tiles though as plaster is only meant to take 20kg per m2 that includes tile adhesive and grout if its over weight knock the plaster off back to the brick and dot and dab new plasterboard to it or build a stud wall and plasterboard it, with the stud wall you can put more insulation in behind the plasterboard). Might seem abit much but stripping back and rebuilding gives you a perfect substrate to tile to. I would also tank any shower area to make it 100% waterproof. Ive also tiled those tiles but the smaller ones and it looked brilliant the grout we used was bals brilliant white to go with the brilliant white tile! Hope this helps.

[TTT]

Easyt I agree with the size tile id be using powdered adhesive like mapei keraquick bal single part flexible or ulta proflex sp es. Tubbed adhesive if a D2 wont go soft like a D1 adhesive when water gets to it though(ie bal grip/white star D2 green star D1 i wouldnt use green star in a shower even though it says it on the tub!). The other thing with tubbed adhesive is if you use over tanking some say that you have to wait three days before you can grout if your just tiling a shower then why would you use tubbed adhesive!

[easyt]

Thanks for the info TTT. I would use the tubbed addy for a small area in a dry location for convenience. I used it on a 1sqm of 'splash back' in a utility room at daughters. It didn't need a splash back - just cosmetic.

[kilty55]

If he decides to just plasterboard and tile,at least use the green water resistant plasterboard.

feel free

[bunnycd]

Silly me gave the tiler money for materials yesterday and did not show up today, so still no bathroom tiled! I have posted this job here if anyone would like to quote Worcester - looking for a tiler

[timeless john]

Did you get a receipt!
Name, address, telephone no.
No reply - then I'd report him to the police asap.

[easyt]

I take it you have called him?

[kilty55]

oh my god,have you called him bunny?

do you have his contact details i assume