Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates etc.

[djahawes]

Hi there,

I'm DIYing a shower cubicle.

Have Marble tiles, 600/300 and the shower cubicle is stud wall. In its previous use it has only been plasterboarded and skimmed although I have replaced one wall with Marine ply now.

I've read various threads on adhesive, primer vs PVA, sealers and most worryingly suitability of substrate.

So questions:
1. If my plasterboard walls are not up to taking the marble tiles would replacing these with marine ply as well be suitable -I've read about aqaupanels but I happen to have several sheets of ply available...

2. would ply board need a particular type of primer as opposed to PVA?

3. The tile shop warned me of adhesive soaking through the tiles and showing patches if I didnt seal them first... Presumably I have to seal all faces before fixing the tiles to the wall or will different adhesives prevent this happening?

4. I have some Lithofin sealer left over from the slate floor -is this a suitable sealer in a shower situation? I'm aware of other recommendations on products on this forum but as I have some Lithofin I may aswell use it up -its pricey stuff!

Any other general advice on stone tiling appreciated... I've done several bathrroms but not with this size tile or material before.

Thanks
David

 

[White Room]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

My concern would be the ply on walls also the skim coat which far to weak.

12.5mm hardie would be suitible for your marble

 

[djahawes]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

does hardie or aquapanel not need tanking aswell as not waterproof or is this only necessary in wet rooms?

 

[White Room]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

It all depends how often the shower gets used, high usage and tanking would be advised

 

[heavytrevy]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

Use aqua panel or cement sheeting and tank it, last thing u want is water damage , its expensive to repair.
Also you need the right adhesive for your marble, somebody here should recomend a brand thats available in your area.

Also seal marble after you have fixed them but before grouting , ur lithofin should be suitable.

Trev

 

[mbtshoes]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

my concern would be the ply on walls also the skim coat which far to weak.

12.5mm hardie would be suitible for your marble

yes. I agree with you.

 

[djahawes]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

Ok, cheers everyone. I think I'm getting the picture now. Ply is easy enough to take down so I'm thinking aquapanel throughout, tanked and I think the mapei keraflex is the right adhesive, then seal before and after grouting.

Going out to investigate tanking products, any recommendations?

David

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

You have loads of choices with tanking, paint on or membrane. Check out Mapei, Bal, Ardex etc. the list is endless. Good luck

 

[peckers]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

Hi there,

I'm DIYing a shower cubicle.

Have Marble tiles, 600/300 and the shower cubicle is stud wall. In its previous use it has only been plasterboarded and skimmed although I have replaced one wall with Marine ply now.

I've read various threads on adhesive, primer vs PVA, sealers and most worryingly suitability of substrate.

So questions:
1. If my plasterboard walls are not up to taking the marble tiles would replacing these with marine ply as well be suitable -I've read about aqaupanels but I happen to have several sheets of ply available...
I would remove plasterboard and ply, and replace with a tile backer board such as marmox or wedi or hardi backer etc.

2. would ply board need a particular type of primer as opposed to PVA?
I wouldnt use ply!

3. The tile shop warned me of adhesive soaking through the tiles and showing patches if I didnt seal them first... Presumably I have to seal all faces before fixing the tiles to the wall or will different adhesives prevent this happening?
You will need to use a white single part flexible adhesive for these tiles such as mapei keraflex white. Be sure to clean dust from back of tile using a damp sponge, I would do them first and then when the backs are dry back skim the tiles with a skim of adhesive and apply the tiles to the adhesive that has been combed onto the walls. No need to seal before you install as long as you work clean, cleaning tile faces as you go removing adhesive from them! when they have dried you can then apply sealer when this has dried you can then grout. remove all grout haze before applying second coat of sealer to tiles and grout.

4. I have some Lithofin sealer left over from the slate floor -is this a suitable sealer in a shower situation? I'm aware of other recommendations on products on this forum but as I have some Lithofin I may aswell use it up -its pricey stuff!
You need to check the sealer you have is suitable for the marble tile you have not all sealers are suitable for all tiles!!!! Some are not suitable for calcerous stone!!!!

Any other general advice on stone tiling appreciated... I've done several bathrroms but not with this size tile or material before.
Take your time work cleanly and allow tiles to dry before each process and you will be fine. A wet cutter will be needed to cut the tiles.


Thanks
David

Hope this helps

 

[djahawes]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

Fantastic help, thanks. many things i hadnt thought of!

With marmox or wedi, is there still the need to tank like with aquapanel or hardie?
If yes, why would you select on of these more expensive products and still have to fork out and tank it? Are there other benefits to these boards which i'm missing here?

David

 

[peckers]

Re: Advice on marble tiling a shower enclosure, adhesive, sealer, primer, substrates

Fantastic help, thanks. many things i hadnt thought of!

With marmox or wedi, is there still the need to tank like with aquapanel or hardie?
If yes, why would you select on of these more expensive products and still have to fork out and tank it? Are there other benefits to these boards which i'm missing here?

David

Marmox supply a waterproof tape which you use on the joints of the board which seals the joints or you can use a polyurethane sealant, this will waterproof the joints in the weyt areas, and in the dry areas you apply a scrim tape over the joints in a dry area. there is no need to tank the walls or floors in a domestic shower imo, I would do in a commercial shower such as swimming pools etc.

take a look for yourself all the info here. Construction board, heat insulation, underfloor heating UK - Marmox UK Ltd

not saying this is the product you should use it is up to you, there all good!