Tiling Tips: Is there a weight limit when tiling a wall?

[Dan]

When undertaking any tiling project one of the key considerations must be whether the wall can take the weight of the tiles.

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Tiling Tips by TTA.

 

[ythan]

please can you explain the reasoning behind the weight limit? What happens if the limit is exceeded?

 

[AliGage]

Gravity

 

[swanman]

gravity /
/ More info pls

 

[ythan]

so, no-one has any explanation of the reasoning behind the weight limit 'rules'?
some folk should surely know.
the single word answer given so far (ie gravity) is rather trivial......1 out of 10.

 

[Gazzer]

Not sure what you mean about explanation ?

Weight limits for skimmed walls is what British Gypsum say is the max weight that should be fastened to the wall in surface contact before the skim could pull away from the backing plaster or board.

 

[Bubblecraft]

As Neale said above. You exceed that weight limit, gravity takes over. Down comes your tiles along with the wall! Bit self explanatory.

 

[AliGage]

Sorry, i thought "gravity" was a fairly self-explanatory answer. but i've found you a few links:

HowStuffWorks "How does gravity work?"
Gravitation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gravity | Define Gravity at Dictionary.com

Hope this helps.

 

[ythan]

thanks to all for coming back. Just to try to take it a bit further....

Consider the situation where the tiles are first laid on the wall and the adhesive is still 'wet'. If you remove the spacers too early the tiles slide down under gravity to close the gaps but they don't fall off. And the wall doesn't fall down.

So assuming the wall is vertical and tiling is started at the bottom of the wall (i.e. tiles supported on the floor), I'm thinking that most of the weight ( the effect of gravity) will be transferred down through the tiles. The adhesion of the skim is then necessary just to keep the tiles vertical.....i.e. provide side support..... rather than supporting all their weight.

I can see poor quality skim, and poor bedding (& vertical alignment) of the tiles would be important, the heavier the tiles......is this maybe what British gypsum are guarding against?

The current rules are very restrictive, ruling out the usage of most modern larger format tiles, and requiring replacement of the skimed wall?

So what would you do faced with skimed kitchen walls and task of installing 300*600 porcelain tiles?

 

[AliGage]

I personally wouldn't be putting that size/format of tile on a kitchen splashback. However, what is the weight per square metre of the tiles you are considering.