Bathroom Prep Help - Skimmed Walls

[Nic B]

Hi All,

I have spent all day reading the forum but thought it best to ask the question direct for some feedback.

We have an ensuite in our new extension which we are tiling, however, the builder has skimmed the entire room and did so before I knew the weight limits on skimmed walls etc. Needless to say I am in a catch 22 at the moment and need some advice really.

2 of the 4 walls are stud walls, one is dot and dab plasterboard onto the original house wall and the 4th wall is insulated plasterboard, so a real mix!

I wanted to get peoples thoughts on the best solution as I have already bought porcelain tiles, which I know are over the 20Kg/m2 limit, but would it be cheaper to

A - Just buy new tiles that fall within the weight limit
B - Rip out the plasterboard and reboard (Hard to do with the insulated plasterboard wall and has to be insulated for building regs)
C - reboard with new plasterboard over the 3 walls using mechanical fixings (Which doesnt solve the problem with the insulated plasterboard??!)

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,

Nic

 

[Waluigi]

Stud walls will be easy enough to take down and replace with a Tile backer board. Or perhaps bare plasterboard. Or even overboard the existing skimmed plasterboard with new plasterboard and screw into the studs.

The insulated plasterboard actually might be Fine to overboard with a thin XPS board, glued and screwed but using some nylon hollow wall fixings. Something like the Fischer Duopower plugs. These should bite into the insulated plasterboard. You should already have at least two mechanical fixings on the insulated board for the Fire Regs. I’d try to pop a few more in.

Dot and dabbed wall again can be overboarded and screwed.

Whether you use an XPS board or plaster board You’ll need the Metal washers. If using the washers on plasterboard then it’s best to use a large spade bit to remove a small amount of the paper face and core so that the washer sits flush.

 

[Nic B]

Stud walls will be easy enough to take down and replace with a Tile backer board. Or perhaps bare plasterboard. Or even overboard the existing skimmed plasterboard with new plasterboard and screw into the studs.

The insulated plasterboard actually might be Fine to overboard with a thin XPS board, glued and screwed but using some nylon hollow wall fixings. Something like the Fischer Duopower plugs. These should bite into the insulated plasterboard. You should already have at least two mechanical fixings on the insulated board for the Fire Regs. I’d try to pop a few more in.

Dot and dabbed wall again can be overboarded and screwed.

Whether you use an XPS board or plaster board You’ll need the Metal washers. If using the washers on plasterboard then it’s best to use a large spade bit to remove a small amount of the paper face and core so that the washer sits flush.

Thanks for the response, all makes sense. The insulated plasterboard has about a dozen mechanical fixings in it already so over boarding shouldn't be an issue the way you describe.

To be honest I am going to have to do the work myself and weighing up the time and new materials against the cost of new tiles is something I'll have to check out as although I already have tiles I could always shift them, got them on clearance at Wickes so didn't cost the earth!

Wish I'd read up about max weights before he plastered but you win some and lose some I guess. I would have thought a builder should know these things, but maybe that's expecting too much!!

 

[One Day]

I would have thought a builder should know these things, but maybe that's expecting too much!!

You certainly win this century's prize for optimism! 😉

 

[Nic B]

You certainly win this century's prize for optimism! 😉

It does amaze me that some trades don't consider the other, life would be so much easier and in this instance cheaper too.

Not sure what's wound me up more, the time and material I have already paid for to have it skimmed or the fact I'm going to have to fix the issue myself!

 

[One Day]

It does amaze me that some trades don't consider the other, life would be so much easier and in this instance cheaper too.

Not sure what's wound me up more, the time and material I have already paid for to have it skimmed or the fact I'm going to have to fix the issue myself!

Me too. For years I've wondered why we don't have more inspection and sign-off before completing work ready for the next trade.
I've decided that the reason is that it would begin to eliminate the stupids and the world is run by stupids so that would never do!

 

[Waluigi]

We are decades behind other countries.

Unfortunately it’s down to the consumer to do their homework.

 

[Nic B]

Me too. For years I've wondered why we don't have more inspection and sign-off before completing work ready for the next trade.
I've decided that the reason is that it would begin to eliminate the stupids and the world is run by stupids so that would never do!

It would definitely get rid of the cowboys and the stupid and make customers happier, but that would be far too much to ask!

 

[Nic B]

We are decades behind other countries.

Unfortunately it’s down to the consumer to do their homework.

Which is a shame really. As consumers we should be able to trust and rely on trades for the right info and expect a decent quality job, if you pay decent money of course!

Pay peanuts and you get Monkies they say!!

 

[One Day]

Sadly you can pay monkeys and get peanuts too!