Lifting tiles over wet UFH

[elgropo]

We are just about to rip out a travertine bathroom. Breaks my heart as the wall tiles look great and there's a 1700x1000mm travertine shower tray. The floor tiles aren't so great. There's clearly been an issue at some stage and half the floor tiles had to be lifted. They've not been able to get exact size, so some grout lines are thicker than others and some of the tiles slightly chipped. Anyway, on to my question....the entire floor of the house has a wet UFH system and I am a little nervous about lifting the tiles. Any advice? I'm not going to be doing it personally, I have a contractor in. They don't seem to think it will be too much of an issue, but I want to know what to look for in order to judge whether they are going to inadvertently cause me a bigger issue? He did say there should be a min 35mm screed over it, so he'd just be careful. I am just wary because they are not specialist tilers, but multi-trade guys.

They are doing another bathroom for me and the wall tiles are 1200x450mm, can they attach these to normal plasterboard or will that not take the weight?

If I know the right questions to ask, I can ascertain whether they are the right guys for the job or not.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave]

We are just about to rip out a travertine bathroom. Breaks my heart as the wall tiles look great and there's a 1700x1000mm travertine shower tray. The floor tiles aren't so great. There's clearly been an issue at some stage and half the floor tiles had to be lifted. They've not been able to get exact size, so some grout lines are thicker than others and some of the tiles slightly chipped. Anyway, on to my question....the entire floor of the house has a wet UFH system and I am a little nervous about lifting the tiles. Any advice? I'm not going to be doing it personally, I have a contractor in. They don't seem to think it will be too much of an issue, but I want to know what to look for in order to judge whether they are going to inadvertently cause me a bigger issue? He did say there should be a min 35mm screed over it, so he'd just be careful. I am just wary because they are not specialist tilers, but multi-trade guys.

They are doing another bathroom for me and the wall tiles are 1200x450mm, can they attach these to normal plasterboard or will that not take the weight?

If I know the right questions to ask, I can ascertain whether they are the right guys for the job or not.

Thanks in advance.

Hi.
what was the issue as to why the tiles had to be removed ? And what screed type is it. The bathroom walls .. are they skimmed etc.

 

[elgropo]

I don't know the history, just moved into the property two years ago. Quite a large area of the floor was listed by the looks of things, maybe 4m2 (room is 12.5m2, pretty big ensuite). I can only assume it was an issue with the UFH as the room is in the basement.

Don't know much about screeds Im afraid, but I've attached a pic from the boiler cupboard inside the utility room. Thats where the UFH manifold is and the floor in there is hot, so I assume it's the same screed that's been used throughout.

 

[Dave]

Could be a number of issues tbh. From priming of the screed and commissioning process to incorrect installation. Hopefully it will be ok this time.
What about the walls ?

 

[elgropo]

Walls are all fine and completely tiled in travertine, but wife wants a change, so going to have to rip it all out.

 

[elgropo]

Had planned on changing the layout, but just realised the ufh is going to make that a much bigger job. Will have to stick with existing layout methinks

 

[Dave]

Walls are all fine and completely tiled in travertine, but wife wants a change, so going to have to rip it all out.

Just you said “

They are doing another bathroom for me and the wall tiles are 1200x450mm, can they attach these to normal plasterboard or will that not take the weight?”

hence asking about the walls lol.