Eeeek Advice appreciated please

[DangerMouse]

Hi

I've had a leak from the shower to the room below. I thought it was likely the Silicon seal first, so redid all Silicon and removed and refitted shower enlosure.

The leak came back, so I cut out the ceiling below to see what the problem was. The drips were coming though the bottom of the plaster. So I taped a plastic sheet over the offending shower wall as a temporary measure and it was bone dry since. I tested the Silicon seal again and that was fine too. I've now removed the sheet and its leaking again. So even though the grout was rock solid (could barely scratch it wiht a stanley knife) I'm pretty sure its the grout. No cracks in the tiles either.

I bought a multi-tool today with grout attachment and some Kerakoll Fugabella, with the intention of removing and re-grouting.

The bottom few tiles came away as I removed the grout. I kind of expected that but as I've raked the grout further up the walls the tiles are simply coming away. It's also taken what looks like a 1mm plaster skim away from the original plaster.

The house was renovated just before I moved in, and bathroom completely new 14 years ago. I don't think it's tanked at all (sorry I am not a tiler so have not much clue with this - be gentle!)

I'm concerned I'm going further down the rabbit hole, but want to repair if I can rather thna give up at the first hurdle and call in the pro's. I don't want to bodge it though.

My questions...

1) Shall I carry on removing the grout, removing any loose tiles with a view to fixing them back?

2) What should be under those tiles? It looks at the moment to be a very thin skim on top of the solid old wall

3) The tiles are 147mm x 147mm 5mm thick. I can't find any of these online, just lots of 150mm and these are all 147mm. Any ideas? Removing the adhesive on these will be a ballache.

All good advice greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Dave]

You can see where you have the most ingression. This needs to be removed and allow the substrate to dry. It could also be behind the tray. The last thing you want is mould growing. Personally i would remove the tray and sort the substrate out and remove all the tiles. Tank the walls and retile , you can get some cheap enough tiles if cost is an issue. I think the installation you have is passed its life span.

 

[DangerMouse]

You can see where you have the most ingression. This needs to be removed and allow the substrate to dry. It could also be behind the tray. The last thing you want is mould growing. Personally i would remove the tray and sort the substrate out and remove all the tiles. Tank the walls and retile , you can get some cheap enough tiles if cost is an issue. I think the installation you have is passed its life span.

Thanks Dave
Are these Mapei shower waterproofing kits any good? Mapei Shower Waterproofing Kit - https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-shower-waterproofing-kit/78484

 

[Dave]

Thanks Dave
Are these Mapei shower waterproofing kits any good? Mapei Shower Waterproofing Kit - https://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-shower-waterproofing-kit/78484

Yes they are good kits.

 

[DangerMouse]

Last question! 🙂
Buying new tiles is not really a big deal but I cannot find 147mm x 147mm gloss white tiles anywhere. Lots of 150mm but these are definitely 147mm.
Anyone have any ideas? I'd rather keep them the same to join up with the tiles outside of the shower.

 

[DangerMouse]

scrap that. seems the devil is in the detail! Utopia White Gloss Plain Ceramic Wall tile, Pack of 44, (L)150mm (W)150mm | DIY at B&Q - https://www.diy.com/departments/utopia-white-gloss-plain-ceramic-wall-tile-pack-of-44-l-150mm-w-150mm/194750_BQ.prd
Listed as 150mm x 150mm but scrolling through the pics on the website shows the size is 147 x 147 and some unhappy reviews confirm that 😀

 

[Cris]

tiles have failed because the skimmed wall wasnt sealed prior to tiling. hack off tiles and board with jackoboard or similar and mechanicaly fix.

 

[DangerMouse]

Thanks Cris.
Was going to hack off all the tiles, get plaster reskimmed, then go with a Mapei showerproof kit.
Adding board might mean I need to move the tray? and therefore floor tiles.
I'm no trying to bodge it, but would rather not rip out the other bits which aren't a problem.
Would re-skim the low spots, prime/cover with the Mapegum tanking stuff work too?

 

[angrypirate]

Don't worry about the reskim, Remove the loose/affected skim, prime the wall. stick some 6mm backer boards to the wall and mechanically fix then tank the joins & fixings. A proper skim would be 3/4mm and you would need to let it dry for at least a week before even thinking about tiling, so your only really losing another 2mm using backer board and you've got plenty of room on the tray and could tile as soon as the tanking is dry.

 

[DangerMouse]

Sounds very sensible, and yes much less wait time. Any recommendations for easy to get backerboard? (sorry, I've never dealt with shower area tiling before)