Bathroom Walls - Prep Advice before tiling

[Deleted member 9966]

After the relative success of tiling my kitchen floor and the tremendous advice and expertise from all you guys and gals on here, I thought I would be selfish again and ask for more help! :smash:

Right, in my main bathroom, there is part tiling around the bath and one row of tiles around the sink unit. I want to install an electric shower in the bathroom but as the tiles only go up by 3 tiles (unsure of size of tiles) I need to tile up to the ceiling at the tap-end.
Pics attached below.

I want to take all the old tiles off and start again. I shall delicately knock the old tiles off so as not to damage the plasterboard behind. But I need advice about the prep work needed to successfully tile over the paint.

The paint is almost definitely silk or bathroom emulsion and I know there's a layer of blue paint underneath too. Beyond that, probably just the thin magnolia splashed on by the builders. However I am just guessing as it was this way when we moved in.

So guys, what's the best idea with the paint?

When the tiles are off and the paint is dealt with, we'll be getting our plumber in to sort out the pipework for the shower and reset the bath as the bath is not level.

It is my intention to use similar sized tiles or slightly larger than what is already there, nothing flash, just simple white tiles and perhaps a thin black border tile around the middle of the room too. I realise I'll have to tile the entire tap-end of the bath, and think it would make sense to tile up to the window recess too but not necessarily inside it.

GRR

 

[david campbell]

try and remove all the paint before tiling!hard job!

 

[Deleted member 9966]

try and remove all the paint before tiling!hard job!

How? Paint stripper, sander?

 

[bigandy]

Hi GRR first your paint issues, ideally take the paint back to plaster easiest/fastest way to me is by sander (belt and then detail for corners). Yes it's a bit messy but at least you are giving your addy something to adhere too.You can can just score through the paint but this will only give it partial adhesion to the substrate.

Why not consider tanking the wall? then you will have peice of mind that your job is done properly and you can show off too your fella.

RE where to tile, if you are tiling the window wall why not do the reveals it would finish the look off.

have i missed anything?

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Dear bigandy,

In my haste to write a comprehensive post I forgot to mention that I would tank prior to tiling. What's the best way to approach this? Plumber to do the pipework, plaster over, tank, tile and then get the shower unti fitted?

I might have to get the plumber in to take a look at how he would pipe it prior to settling on tanking etc....

I had a feeling you might say "sand it" and thankfully the only power tool in the house that belongs to me is the sander! Hubby doesn't have the patience to sand anything and he broke my last sander.

Advertising my tiling ignorance now - what's a Reveal?

Thank you! :yes:

 

[bigandy]

Dear bigandy,

In my haste to write a comprehensive post I forgot to mention that I would tank prior to tiling. What's the best way to approach this? Plumber to do the pipework, plaster over, tank, tile and then get the shower unti fitted?

I might have to get the plumber in to take a look at how he would pipe it prior to settling on tanking etc....

I had a feeling you might say "sand it" and thankfully the only power tool in the house that belongs to me is the sander! Hubby doesn't have the patience to sand anything and he broke my last sander.

Advertising my tiling ignorance now - what's a Reveal?

Thank you! :yes:

thats the correct sequence although the shower can normally be fitted and left loose, tiles slid in and tightened.(but do it the way you stated it will be much easier for you).

reveal is the inside of your window(sills,sides and top).

 

[Deleted member 9966]

Thanks for that bigandy!

I shall consider whether to tile the reveal once I've got to the stage of tiling.

I have become of big fan of tiles since tiling my kitchen floor as to me it looks more posh and expensive than simply laying wood-look or tile-look laminate. I'm not knocking laminate but I do think it's overused in homes nowadays and I prefer to be different

Oh and I know where my nearest CTD store is too! Might be paying them a visit soon...:hurray:

 

[bigandy]

good luck and hope all goes well

 

[user123]

sounds quite similar to my bathroom to be finished yet! We can swap pictures later! Just that in the middle of my white tiles and simple borders there will be an apple tree....I think you should have a handmade mosaic picture inserted in yours, too - hopefully made and supplied by me on mesh, ready to be tiled up along with the other tiles...easy peasy....palmtree? red racer car? Sundeck chair? Smilie??? no limits to possibilties....dare to be different indeed :yes::yes::yes:

 

[Deleted member 9966]

sounds quite similar to my bathroom to be finished yet! We can swap pictures later! Just that in the middle of my white tiles and simple borders there will be an apple tree....I think you should have a handmade mosaic picture inserted in yours, too - hopefully made and supplied by me on mesh, ready to be tiled up along with the other tiles...easy peasy....palmtree? red racer car? Sundeck chair? Smilie??? no limits to possibilties....dare to be different indeed :yes::yes::yes:

Now I really do like the sound of that MG! But I shall save something like that for my en-suite. (what can I say, I'm selfish!)

The main bathroom is to be functional but quality, the en-suite I want to be functional, quality and a hint of luxury, and when I eventually get round to building the east wing on my house (or as everybody else will see it, build on the side on top of the garage), I will be going for all out pure luxury with a big dollop of hotel style class!

Hubby wants to east wing to be quite open plan with big bedroom, largish dressing area/wardrobes/storage and then en-suite with roll top bath. Gonna have light issues as the room will be long and narrow, bedroom window overlooking back garden, with en-suite window overlooking front and the dressing area in between. But still, that's all for another project about 5 years from now....