Plywood Walls

[simonb43]

Obviously I tiled it. My main concern is that neither the adhesive or grout has stuck to the ply, which may indicate the ply has been sealed, which I wouldnt have done anyway, but apparently many would do.

 

[simonb43]

Obviously I tiled it. My main concern is that neither the adhesive or grout has stuck to the ply, which may indicate the ply has been sealed, which I wouldnt have done anyway, but apparently many would do.

 

[aussie tiling]

The only way you are going to get over this is either removing ply/or over boarding with 6mm hardie backer if you have the room.

 

[simonb43]

Not sure if either of these are an option.
The general opinion seems to be the wrong adhesive has been used, even though BAL state it is suitable.

 

[aussie tiling]

Hey ho you will know for next time ply on walls in bathrooms unless used for strength and over boarded is not really a good substrate. I can't understand why people still do this when there so many readily available options and cheaper than ply good luck hope it works out for you.

 

[Andy Allen]

If it was sealed or not imo its just pot luck tiling on to ply......even worse using a non flexible dispersion adhesive. .

 

[simonb43]

But BAL state the adhesive is suitable, so why not use it ?? And seal or no seal ?? Getting conflicting advice on the sealing issue. Maybe it is just potluck

 

[John Benton]

Did you also tank out the shower like it tells you to do in wet areas?

 

[Brian the Tile]

No problem using the tubbed adhesive at all ,but i would never have used green star on ply

 

[simonb43]

John, no didn't tank as said previously, I had no input the prep. If I had I would have offered other options
Brian, Greenstar is suitable, so why not use.

but going back to the main issue regarding the adhesive and grout not sticking to the ply. Suggestions please

 

[Concrete guy]

Brian, Greenstar is suitable, so why not use.

Give BAL a call on their technical line and have a chat with them about this, they are quite helpful.

You may be surprised at their interpretation of what can be tiled on and how you interpret their technical advice sheet.

It's worth getting this information from the horses mouth.

Examples are:-

BAL's interpretation of a domestic shower is a handset over a bath that runs off the taps. They consider a shower cubical with an Aqualisa Quartz fitted a "commercial shower".

You'll notice in the small print that it refers to Easypoxy grout being used in conjunction with Greenstar so it's compliant.

Whilst Greenstar can be used to tile on ply, you'll find it can't be used to tile on ply that is used in a bathroom, even if it's not in a wet area. This is where the tech sheet become ambiguous so it's worth 20 minutes of your time to have a chat with them and get a few of the specs clear in your own head so situations like this can be avoided in future.

 

[Brian the Tile]

Three questions for you simonb53 ,how long have you been tiling ?
Who said it was ok to fix tiles on ply with green star ?
And why did you fix the tiles in the first place without tanking the walls?

 

[Brian the Tile]

Sorry simonb43

 

[simonb43]

Brian, how long I've been tiling is irrelevant.
Tanking was not provided or not wanted, as said, I had no input on any of the prep.
Assumed, now possibly wrongly, that Greenstar was suitable as per tech data sheet.
Would also like to mention that the bathroom hasn't been used yet, and tiling was done about 5months ago.
The end result is that I will be re-tiling, using a different adhesive, but still hoping that no PVA/sealer has been applied.

 

[Andy Allen]

Can you not replace the ply with something else or overboard it?