DIY Related: Shower Floor Revamp

[gb3]

Hi there,

My first post on here

Let me start by saying I'm not a professional tradesman of any kind but a mere keen DIYer.

I moved into a new place a couple of years ago. The bathroom was a stated and needed gutting / re plastering / tiling etc etc. A local plumbing company did the work for us.

As you should be able to see from the pictures we had a walk in shower constructed.

Recently however I noticed the grout in the shower floor area was breaking up. I believe - correct me if im wrong - this is due to a cement based grout rather than a more suitable epoxy grout being used?

I was originally going to just regrout the existing tiles in the shower area with kerapoxy, however I thought to myself this might be an ideal time for a little revamp.

So my question is:

Can I take up the porcelin tiles just in the shower area ( just the ones with the diagonal cuts, which i think are ugly as hell) and replace them with a blue mosaic which matches the mosiac running down the wall. I think it'll look pretty cool ( but thats just me). I was hoping aswell that using a mosaic I would avoid making diagonal cuts to match the sloping of the blue tray underneath. (The existing tiles are tile directly onto a sloped underfloor tray).

If I can do the above...is there an epoxy grout anyone can recommend for use with ceramic mosiac.

Cheers, any tips / advice appreciated.

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[jay]

If your grout is breaking up then you have a problem
more than likely movement of some sort does the base flex at all

[gb3]

Cheers for replying.

If my memory serves me correctly the tiler tiled directly onto the sloped plastic tray, which is a plastic i think, so I guess although rigid it might flex.

I will get a better pic asap. There are only a couple of small areas which are broken (around the grate in the middle), however most of the grouting in the shower area is showing wear.

[Sir Ramic]

I would say the tiling was done all wrong in the 1st place. The grout should have been fine and there is no real need for Epoxy....but it can be used.
The setting out on the floor is worse than poor and that is what makes it all look worse.

The grout has cracked for a reason, what was the sub floor ?
Your idea of a mosaic floor is viable but you will need to prepare the sub floor in such a way that this is possible.
We need more info but its a reasonably easy job to do.

Ok so I see its a preformer shower base so it should just be a case of removing the tiles and replacing with mosaic.....The only problem will be the thickness of the mosaic against the floor tile.

[gb3]

Yeah, I had my doubts about the tiling - I guess you get what you pay for.

The bathroom is on the first floor directly above the kitchen. I believe the bathroom floor is a wooden type board on beams (I think). I think the tiler, cut out the wooden board in the shower area and slotted in the plastic tray in so it was flush with the board. He then tiled directly onto the tray and board. I do remember him phoning up the tray company for advice and they told him you could tile directly onto the tray without a problem (apparently).

I try and find out a bit more info.

Cheers.

[Sir Ramic]

There are certain restrictions with some boards to the smallest size tile that can be used on these preformers....mainly Marmox foam type .

[gb3]

Im pretty sure something like this was used:

Impey Wet Rooms Aqua-Dec 6 Shower Tray, 1400x900mm

Had a look at the Marmox website and dont think its any of their trays.

[Sir Ramic]

Was it waterproofed with tilesafe membrane as instructed in the fitting instructions. ?

[gb3]

Hmm, I'm not 100% sure to be honest. I was busy doing bits and pieces elsewhere in the property and just let him get on with it.

I'll see if i can find any pictures of the bathroom during the construction, I'm pretty sure I took a couple.

Cheers.

[akinsontiles]

Impey trays are awkward in so much that the only thing I know that stick sto them properly is their own products. Its a bitumin based sheeting which is applied to the walls and floor after a primer and then a flexible adhesive to apply the tiles to.

If this hasn't been done then Mapei may suggest their epoxy adhesive as suitable but I'm not 100% on this and would suggest speaking to their technical department for advice.

Mosaic in the tray should look good and would reduce the need to have the diagonal cuts however you still must make sure that the mosaics are fully bedded to get the water to flow into the drain correctly.

[gb3]

Cant find any pictures of the original installation. I think he may have fitted a membrane to the shower area.

Would the membrane cause an issue when removing the tiles? I have removed ceramic tiles before, to be honest Im not too sure of the best way to remove the porcelain tiles, they are quite large and i dont want to damage the aquadec...any tips?

[akinsontiles]

If they are loose then they may just need levering up with a small chisel. Other than that werar gloves and goggles and try to chip away at the tile with a hammer working from the centre toward the edge. The impact of the hammer will cause the tile to disintegrate and you can then remove it in small sections. Be warned - you need to control the level of impact you use just enough to damage the tile but not to go through the tray. I suggest building up the strength of the hits you do from light up to one that causes the required destruction but not over doing it.

Keep the doors shut so that shards of tile don't fly off too far and beware for sharp edges on the tiles. PPE is a must!! Good luck

[gb3]

Oh!

Sorry guys, I got it wrong. Its not an Impey former. Im almost sure its a Tuff 2 shower former.

Does that change anything?

[Sir Ramic]

"If" theres is a membrane then the chances are it will become damaged in the tile removal process. The actual base "could" get damaged too and I would remove the shower screens for safety while removing the tiles.

[gb3]

No worries, Cheers guys. Really appreciate the advice. I will order all the bits and pieces and have a WORD REMOVED. Just going back to grout, is the general consensus not to bother with epoxy grout or what?

ta

[Sir Ramic]

I wouldn't bother with Epoxy and please mind your language.

[jay]

No worries, Cheers guys. Really appreciate the advice. I will order all the bits and pieces and have a WORD REMOVED. Just going back to grout, is the general consensus not to bother with epoxy grout or what?
ta

does that mean the same over there as it does here

typo i think crack

[gb3]

OMG, what did I write? It wasnt meant to be offensive lol.

[jay]

its okay you made me laugh just a typo

[Mike]

does that mean the same over there as it does here

typo i think crack

i didn't think that was swearing saying it in that context?

[jay]

i didn't think that was swearing saying it in that context?

no that's what i think he meant to say
I will order all the bits and pieces and have a cr--
it should of read ..I will order all the bits and pieces and have a crack at it


funny at the time

[jay]

the missing letters are ...ap

[gb3]

ahaha!

[jay]

were all human we make mistakes the moderators on here run a strict forum (witch is good)

back on topic i think your former is flexing and may need attention if you remove tiles it may damage the waterproofing (if it goes over former) so try to be careful if you do damage it it needs to be fixed you can try the re grout but i don't hold much hope of that working

good luck

[gb3]

hmm, ok. I think it really does need sorting. I guess if I damage the membrane removing the tiles I can replace it.

Cheers

[Dave]

The tuffdec2 trays need sanding to key them ready for sticking the tanking membrane down with flexible adhesive...as these trays are screwed down and need to be tanked.

If you have grout cracking then ye.. it sonds like some deflection and maybe the tray is not supported properly.. these trays can span 450 centred on joists etc no problem if the joists are all flat and level.. but now and again they will flex if not screwed down properly

[Dave]

PHG Wetrooms sell the Tuffdec2 trays along with the Marmox showerstone, both trays sit directly on the joists but they also sell the Marmox shower tray that needs boarding between the joists or can inset into a screed.

PHG Wetrooms - The Perfect choice for all your wetroom supplies

[whitebeam]

I found the tuff2 is a strong material but still needs support.

[gb3]

Cheers,

I think I'm gonna give it a go. Will remove the porcelain tiles ontop of the tray, repair the membrane (if required) then lay the mosaic ontop.

Obviously if i find the tray is busted or not lying correctly I will look at resetting / replacing it.

Ta

[jay]

let us know how it goes and maybe some pics would be good