Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower area

[beneldred]

Hi all,

Just wanting some advice on tilling onto a plaster boarded stud wall around a shower and bath area.

I have just pulled all the existing tiles off the wall and over boarded the exiting plasterboard as it has become weak and floppy. I’m just using standard 10mm white boards.

I am about to fit 600 x 300 porcelain tiles around the shower and my question is….can I tile straight onto the plaster boarded wall without tanking first? I heard if I’m using large tiles with a good waterproof adhesive and grout then water penetration should be minimal?

Also do I need to seal the tiles prior to grouting?

Any advice would be appreciated?

Ben

 

[Rookery]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

I assume your over-boarding (10mm?) is well fixed as these tiles are heavy. You do not have to tank but its advisable to protect water sensitive backgrounds such as gypsum/plasterboard. Unless you're using epoxy, the adhesive & grout will be water resistant rather than waterproof which means that water can pass through it without damaging it, hence the reason for tanking. I would use Mapei Adesilex P9 or Keraflex and a 10mm notch trowel on the walls plus a skim on the back of each tile to achieve 100% adhesive coverage. If the tiles are glazed there's no need to seal though you may wish to seal the grout once its dried. If unglazed then seal before grouting. Make sure the corners and junction of tiles and shower tray are sealed with Silicon not grout as these are movement joints.

 

[peteablard]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

I'd tank it, it doesn't cost much in the scheme of things and for piece of mind it's well worth it

 

[nybor62]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

defo tank imo ,as for sealing are they polished porc as some require sealing also check for transit wax , as this will need removing

good luck

 

[nybor62]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

if your unsure get a pro to do your tiling , its not as straight forward as most think

 

[beneldred]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

ok thanks guys, yes the boards are 10mm think and will be secuerd tightly to the stud work underneath. The reason im debating whether to tank or not is time!!!! Its my only bath/shower in the house and Im guessing if I prepare the walls (tank) leave to dry and then tile I wont be able to do it all the same day!?!?!

Also I have some ready mix floor and wall adhesive from tilling my kitchen....would this be ok to use or due to size of tiles would you stick with the Mapei Adesilex P9 or Keraflex products as Rookery stated?

Thanks

 

[peteablard]

Re: Advice on tilling with porcelain and tanking a bath and shower are

Definitely use a flexible cement based adhesive as advised, the ready mixed is not suitable