wall preparation?

mr bosch · Post by **mr bosch** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:02 pm

Hi,
i've removed the wall tiles in the bathroom and had a few dings in the plasterboard which i have filled with a ready mix plaster skim.
most of the original white surface paper on the plasterboard has come off with the old tiles.
what i intend to do next is to lightly sand the walls down to get rid of any high spots and feather in the strips of surface paper that have been left on the plasterboard.
is it best then to PVA the walls or is there a recommended sealing agent required to coat the wall before i start tiling.

any advice will be greatly recieved

regards

marc1106 · Post by **marc1106** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 9:29 pm

Personally id remove plasterboard and refit new, then you wont need to seal it (unless its in a shower cubicle)

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 10:25 pm

You only need to use a primer on absorbant surfaces, your tile adhesive will specify which primer to use ( if any)

PVA is not recommended for tiling unless it has been specified by the tile adhesive manufacturers.

mr bosch · Post by **mr bosch** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:12 pm

thanks for the replies.
i don't want to take the plasterboard off as there's about 6m of wall to do, some from floor to ceiling and some from floor to window height.
would the tile adhesive incur any problems sticking to the plasterboard without most of the white backing on it, if it had somekind of sealing on it.
i assume that without the white backing , the plasterboard is absorbant?
there is no shower involved.

regards

Mooncat · Post by **Mooncat** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:12 am

With the white paper gone, so has some of the strength, and there's little enough of that anyway. Plasterboard is cheap and quick to fix, a lot cheaper than the tiles you're putting on.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:52 am

mr bosch wrote:thanks for the replies.
i don't want to take the plasterboard off as there's about 6m of wall to do, some from floor to ceiling and some from floor to window height.
would the tile adhesive incur any problems sticking to the plasterboard without most of the white backing on it, if it had somekind of sealing on it.
i assume that without the white backing , the plasterboard is absorbant?
there is no shower involved.

regards

What type of tiles are you using?

mr bosch · Post by **mr bosch** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:00 am

i'll be fitting 250mmx200mm ceramics.

jozeffo · Post by **jozeffo** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 12:11 pm

If the plasterboard has no paper on it, is it strong enough to tile?

I would replace it but if you really can't, it might serve to strengthen what is there with Crack Mat. Can't find a link to it but it is essentially plasterers scrim tape in large sheets. Last saw some in Platform but am sure builders merchant will advise.

mr bosch · Post by **mr bosch** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:38 pm

is crack mat a brand name?

jozeffo · Post by **jozeffo** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:51 pm

Exactly as you suggest Mr Bosch

mr bosch · Post by **mr bosch** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:16 pm

sorry jozeffo, i hadn't read your post properly and you'd already answered my query....... doh