My bathroom project

[Impossible]

My first time tiling is coming up and it starts with my GF's 1.7x1.8m bathroom.
The place is a c1950's maisonette where all the walls are solid (no plasterboard)
I'm taking on the bathroom as part of a refresh of the place. Previously the bathroom was fitted with a iron bath, porcelain sink and toilet. Previous decor was half tiles then top half painted with a retrofitted shower.
Here are some images, this is what im working with.
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4748
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4751
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4753
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4756
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4759

As you can see, its the original suite with a iron bath.
Shes already bought the tiles (from B&Q....... yuk) These are plane white tiles with a ripple effect on its surface (200x250x7mm) and then a boreder with these tiles...
http://gallery.cowbox.net/main.php?g...g2_itemId=4762
More images to follow.
Any suggestions on how to embed the images instead of them being links (is this due to the site they are hosted on?)

Imp​

 

[Droopy]

Personaly, i would board out the entire room with some nice new 12mm greenboard.
Give yourself a better chance of a first class finish, by giving yourself first class prep work, mate.

 

[wayne]

when you start tiling beware of the tiles they will have chalk on the back at both ends. make sure this is washed off first. if the tiles are 7mm the border will probably sit proud of the tiles as they are normally 10mm. just something to think about before you start. good luck mate

 

[Impossible]

Thanks for the tip Wayne, sounds like a nugget of info. As for the different thickness of tiles, yes you are correct. I have a 7mm and a 10mm height, i think i may chase the wall slightly to match to two depths, how does this sound?

I have just finished cleaning up after bonding two sheets of plaster board to the wall, It went as expected...pics to upload tomorrow.

In regard to number of tiles to fill the wall vertically, Im assuming from what’s been previously posted that having half tiles around the floor of the bathroom is more desirable than the top? Im expecting to start a “new” tile row from the top of the bath, which may leave a half tile at the bottom and the top...does this sound usual?

I have a good few more questions and ideas i would like to run past you experts, but enough for tonight!

Thanks for the comments lads, they are really appreciated to know the in’s and outs of your game!


Imp

 

[macten]

If full tile off bath leaves 1/2 tiles at top and bottom and nice cuts around obstacles and features (eg top + bottom of window) then that would be ideal because if the floor or ceiling run out (which they always do) then you wont end up with sliver cuts.

 

[Impossible]

What counts as a sliver, less than 1/2 tile height?
Im also planning on placing the sink and toilet onto the tiles, instead of tiling around.

On a side note, I assume that horizontaly, half tiles would be on the wall nearer to the entrance and not in sight as you walk into the room?

Imp

 

[macten]

What counts as a sliver, less than 1/2 tile height?
Im also planning on placing the sink and toilet onto the tiles, instead of tiling around.

On a side note, I assume that horizontaly, half tiles would be on the wall nearer to the entrance and not in sight as you walk into the room?

Imp

Less than 1/2 is fine - but no less than 1/5.
Sink + toilet on top of tiles like you're planning is best thing to do.

Horizontally - treat each wall individually and center it (largest cut in each corner)
This changes a little if you have a feature wall eg window as it is best to center the window rather than the wall. ie you will have nice even cuts around window but possibly unequal cuts in the corners of the wall. (If centering window gives silly cuts in the corner then don't be afraid to knock the feature out of center a tiny bit and get the best compromise)

Most tilers try and avoid full tile in corners as it only works if the walls are perfectly plumb (never are) or if the full tile goes at the furthest away point.
Imagine if the adjacent wall you are tiling leans out at the top slightly - as you tile your way up using full tile in corner you will suddenly have a gap appearing which will obviously look bad.

Good luck with the project and keep those photos coming!

 

[Impossible]

Right, Toilet is working well......first try at plumbing

Heres the wall under the shower..

I have used a fair bit of adhesive to fill the board joins and the step that was inbetween the boards and the original wall. I found the adhesive very gloopy and sticky altho I was wacking a fair bit on to try and prep for tiling.

The other walls boards went up fine.

Any idea if i should use adhesive to fill in the joins between the two boards or use silicon? I assume I would use adhesive, as thats what will cover what ever is used to fill the gaps once the tiles go on.

Also, the tub of adhesive I have used, its not all used up yet. Any tips of keeping it moist and prevent it from drying up (apart from keeping the lid on tight )

I really need to get a crack on with the tiles as the GF is really getting annoyed with taking baths!

Imp

 

[Impossible]

Onto my next problem!

As the shower wall totaly collapsed I fixed it up with an aqua panel. This has caused the wall to become flat, which would usualy be ideal!

The problem I face is with the mosaic boarder im placing in. Im using the current step to bring the two types of tile level. Now on my only flat wall, im looking at the mosaics protruding by 3mm (the tiles are 7mm depth and the mosaics are 10mm)

Seams like I have the same problem as before! Do I pad out with adhesive to 3mm or stick up some 3mm marine ply?!

Im leaning towards the ahesive pad,even tho its probably going to take me half a tub extra to pad out that much for the area....If I padded out around 1mm let that dry and then use a 2mm base when adding tiles, would this work?

I ccould always chase the wall but half is plaster and half is cement board......

Inexperience has caught me out!

Imp