Tiling advise - i am confused!

mcody · Post by **mcody** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:49 pm

Hi there, I have recently stripped out my bathroom in preparation of a new suite being installed at the weekend. I have had a couple of quotes from tilers and need to make a decision as to which one to choose. I am having 300x600 porcelian tiles fitted (around 18-20m in total)

The tiles have been stripped from the walls and there is old adhesive, some bonding and old exposed plaster left now - it looks a bit rough but is pretty solid. (see attachment)

One of the tilers has advised that the walls need totally re-plastering before he can tile. The other has advised that as the tiles are large, he can make up the uneven surface of the wall with the tile adhesive.

I don't know what to do - they have both priced similar, but one will involve paying for the room to be re-plastered...what would you do?

Also - would you put aquaboard or similar on the floorboard prior to tiling or just use 12mm plywood?

many thanks!

Mark

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:57 pm

I think the 1st tiler is after the easy life!. If I was tiling this (I'm not a pro) I'd just get most of the high points off (the low points can be filled with thicker adhesive) and make sure it really is sound. It would probably mean thicker spead of adhesive but apart from that I can't see a major problem from the photo you've supplied

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:01 pm

Hi Mark,

that tile adhesive looks weird, it is like someone has trowelled the adhesive on and then dabbed each tile with adhesive as well

I'm sure it is possible to tile over that surface with the correct depth of notched trowel.

If you are having porcelain tiles on the floor then 12mm plywood should be ok, but if you are having something heavier like natural stone on the floor then aquapanel would be best.

Have you seen any examples of the two tilers work or do you have any references?

skiking · Post by **skiking** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:06 pm

I bet whats happened is that the previous tiler has used a coat of adhesive to get a level surface then dabbed each of the tiles as you can clearly see the ridged application of the adhesive. I think you just need to get the dabs off

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:19 pm

Check the weight of each tile before you decide what to do, that skim coat looks ready to fall off.

A skimmed wall should only hold 20kg per square metre, this includes the tile adhesive so yoiu'll be close to that if not over it

mcody · Post by **mcody** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:39 pm

the 300x600 tiles weigh 3.9kg each - is that good?

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:10 pm

It does exceed the weight limit for your wall but not by too much, personally I would try to get the walls as flat as you can, scrape all the old tile adhesive off the wall and then either re skim or patch up the wall.

Then check with a straight edge in all directions to see how flat the wall is.

600 x 300mm tiles will be a real pain to fit if the walls are out, so the flatter you get the walls, the easier the tiles will be to fit and the better the finished job will be.

Why not scan the Quotes onto your PC and post them on here, we can decide who comes across the most propfessional, my instant reaction is that the guy that wants the re skim seems better.

Only-Me · Post by **Only-Me** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:16 pm

You could try steaming of the old tile adhesive, and then see the overall state of the wall

Jaeger_S2k · Post by **Jaeger_S2k** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 10:32 pm

Yeah steam it, it'll probably pull the rest of that poor skim off so will save you labour.

As bathstyle says BIG tiles will exasperate any depth changes and I'd be careful sticking big lumps of adhesive onto that wall and that big a tile.

The best adhesion will be gained by the maximum contact with minimum depth of adhesive.

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 11:10 pm

By the way, make sure the tiler doesn't use ready mixed adhesive and uses something suitable for Porc

give it a try · Post by **give it a try** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:19 am

steamings good for getting any loose stuff off aswell, worked well when i got the mess off my bathroom wall, try and get the longest straight edge you can aswell to hold against the wall to try and see any hi or low points, might help give you an idea of how much adhesive you may need to build out or areas to hack off - just make sure the wall is solid as the others say

Terry The Tiler · Post by **Terry The Tiler** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 4:51 pm

top advice all round!!!