New member looking for advise

[tommy harry]

Hi,

We are just starting out having our bathroom refitted and would like some advise on the wall tiling.

We are to supply materials and are thinking of 500 x 200 crematic tiles with some 300 x 300 feature mosaic vertical bands.

The issue is the adhesive, waterproofing and grout as the tiler will have a number of surfaces he has to work on...

1 wall is an existing skimmed and painted block wall.
1 wall is a exisitng skimmed painted plasterboard wall
2 walls will be new = just plasterboarded - the junction of these 2 walls will be where the shower is to go.

The shower will need waterproofing - so a tanking kit needed...
What do i need to do to the existing walls before work starts and is there one adhesive out there that will work on all of the above surfaces or do I need to get him different adhesives for each surface.

Many thanks

 

[andy8758]

If the tiles are more than 8mm thick I would recommend removing the plaster and putting up tile backer boards. Thats not a massive job to do - about 1 days work in most bathrooms, and costs about £11 per square meter to buy the 12.5mm tile backer board. Otherwise, if tiles 8mm or less, fine to tile on walls, but recommend scraping paint off and sealing plaster with acrylic primer.

The new plasterboard can take tiles up to about 12mm thick, but not the "skimmed" boards - the plaster falls off

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome, also it would be wise to remove the paint.

 

[tommy harry]

I'm not sure on the thickness - i havent bought them yet... but if they are 8mm thick is there any particular brand of acrylic primer to use or are they all the same?

Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

Use one to match the brand of adhesive..

 

[nybor62]

also go for a powdered adhesive, not a ready mixed adhesive

 

[Barry bp]

Mapie have everything in there range you will need

 

[Colour Republic]

I would ask your tiler what his preference and advice would be.

I understand you have agreed to buy the materials but if your tiler just said 'you get the adhesive and grout' without any sort of further guidence on what products to buy and how much, I would be worried!

The members here are more than willing to advise you but I think most will tell you they prefer to supply the materials, as it means we can select products we have faith in and know they work rather than let the customer supply the adhesive and grouts and run the risk of them picking some of the many poor products out there.

Of course it seems you are doing your research and want to supply the best to ensure a good job but it seems your tiler doesn't want any input??

Or have I got this wrong and you plan on getting all the materials then find a tiler?

 

[Scott]

What he said ^^^

Most tilers like to use certain adhesives as they trus tthem and know there capabilities so you really should have a chat with the tiler if you have one or when you have one

 

[Max@ableskills]

Hi and welcome to the forum. Great advice already given here. Taking into account the tile size selected Defo powdered adhesive NOT ready mixed.

Hope your walls are fairly flat as you have selected a fairly large format tile

 

[aph257]

TBO i'd doubt your "tiler" is a tiler as we all have our fav addy, grout etc and can get them at trade prices.

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome

 

[karlm98]

maybe the tiler is lazy and not really a tiler lol you should get a few prices and that way you can see who is the real tiler by the advice and options they give you to do the job.

 

[Derry]

Hi, welcome to the forums

 

[Rich]

All good advice above. Powder adhesive all the way. Your Tiler should be telling you what adhesive/grout you will need. If however you dont have a tiler yet, would be a good idea to get a recommended tiler from this site, that way you know that you are getting an expert to do the work.