Aquapanel or 'Tanking'

keyz · Post by **keyz** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 12:54 pm

I am refurbishhing my small bathroom, and the old sandy, crumbly plaster is uneven and blown in places, so I will be stripping it all off. I am putting in a shower tray and enclosure and found this site when looking for 'how to' on dot and dab plastering. I'm glad I did, as my original plan to dot and dab pasterboard and tile directly on it evidently would have given me problems in the longer term.

But can you clarify for me, please:

1) is the choice for the shower area to use Aquapanel OR plasterboard and a 'tanking kit', or would you still use a tanking kit with Aquapanel.

2) I read the thread that said dry wall adhesive won't work with Aquapanel, but can Aquapanel be dot and dabbed, but then supported wiith screws into the blockwork its mounted on? (this option was suggested on another forum)

Thanks.

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 3:54 pm

Hi Keyz,

You will get a mix of opinions and advice - all valid and all reasonable ways, so I will throw my 2 cents worth as well

In an area that will be subject to water, I personally would use Aquapanel instead of plasterboard irrespective if I were going to tank or not. Reason being if the surface that was over the aquapanel or the plasterboard failed and water got through, plasterboard will not survice for long, so even after fixed the dodgy grout or loose tile or whatever, it may be too late.
Aquapanel can be submerged in water and will keep its integrity, so in the same scenario,will dry out and be good as new again.

Worth spending the extra money on, I think.

On tanking, never used it, but the pros seem to swear by it as it means they don't have to go back for remedial work.

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:03 pm

Hi Keyz,

welcome to the forum.

In answer to your questions-

1). I think bathstyle uses normal plasterboard and a tanking kit in some shower areas and so this must be ok. Personally I would still use aquapanel and a tanking kit to be on the safe side.

2). I would not personally dot and dab aquapanel as Knauf do not recommend this way of fixing. They recommend the use of battens for ventillation. I think I know which post you are talking about on the other forum and if I am right Jason B said that you can do this. I have high regard for Jason B and so doing as he suggests must be ok

It's up to you now

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:10 pm

If you go ahead with the Aquapanel then this needs to be stuck to the wall using rapidset tile adhesive and as said plugged and screwed in after which can be done two to three hours later. The Aquapanel then needs a skim coat of rapidest flexible or single part flexible Tile adhesive. The corner joint(s) and board joints need to be covered with Aquapanel scrim before skimming. Wait overnight and then the wall is ready for Tanking.

Alternatively dot and dab plasterboard then tank.

handyman · Post by **handyman** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:22 pm

bathstyle wrote: The Aquapanel then needs a skim coat of rapidest flexible or single part flexible Tile adhesive.

I tanked straight onto panel last time

???

bathstyle · Post by **bathstyle** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:30 pm

So have I, many times.

Next they'll be telling you that it can only be put up on the first Tuesday of every month and tanking can only be done at room temperatures below 15 deg, provided the installer is wearing steel toe caps and a bobble hat in red

handyman · Post by **handyman** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:49 pm

I'm confused now.............which is easily done

Hoovie · Post by **Hoovie** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:52 pm

screw it to battens and tile over (that's what I do and it seems to work) - KISS !

keyz · Post by **keyz** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:49 pm

Thanks all for the welcome and your advice. I shall put it in the melting pot and see what I decide after sleeping on it. However, I don't have a red bobble hat. Is that a show stopper?