Shower problem

[dscoll]

Hi guys
Here's my problem.
The grouting in the tiled wall of my shower cracked , the water got in and eventually came through my kitchen ceiling. When the builder, removed the tiles they came off the wall very easilly, the wall was virtually clean, all the adhesive was stuck to the tiles. I can't find an exact match for the tile 13" square. I think the gypsum render may have been over polished but im not sure, im going to try a wire brush to see if this helps adhesion.
Problem 1:
The tiles also came slightly away from the ajoining wall outside the shower, the builder says he will simply pour some pva down the back of the tiles and push them back on. Is this the best solution? Would a slurry mix be better or is there a better idea?
Problem 2:
The old tiles are 8mm floor tiles (I know they shoudn't be on the wall but its too late now) and the adhesive is 10mm. Thats 18mm total, which looks suspiciously high. I want to use better gripping adhesive so im looking at nicobond glass tile flexible adhesive ,hopefully it won't crack. Problem is the max recomended thickness is 12mm and the new wall tiles are 5mm. That means i would need 13mm of adhesive, so is it ok to exceed the 12mm max limit by 1mm or would it be better to put on a tile backing board or is there a 3rd way.
Im no expert so feel free to dispute my analysis.
Thanks in advance.
DS

 

[Brinkley]

ds your builder doesnt know what hes on about sorry but pouring a pva mix down the back of the tiles is ludicrus a there shouldnt be a a gap to pour it down and b if there is they gotta come off before they fall off

 

[White Room]

You say gypsum render, is that a finish on a render coat or a gypsum full bodied undercoat

As above, not going to work

 

[nybor62]

builder says he will pour pva down the back of the tiles :lol::lol:

well that takes the biscuit

 

[DHTiling]

Well i am lost for words at that builders advice..


I really think you have a problem and needs sorting asap.

 

[Alan.P]

As above, your builder is a joker, get a tiler for tiling, if you need a recommendation for your area contact Dave or Dan ( forum admin ) then you can at least get a qualified opinion from a few tilers and not some fly by night.

EDIT: must type faster

 

[dscoll]

Whitebeam
It's a gypsum finish on a cement undercoat.
The plaster get very wet when the shower leaked but it is undamaged, therefore it must be waterproof.
I think it's been tanked.

 

[dscoll]

All
The builder says he's successfully done the pva trick before but I suspected professional tilers wouldn't be happy with it. My problem is the whole bathroom is done in the same 330mm square floor tiles (floor and half way up the walls, all the way up the shower walls ) which I cannot find replacements for, that's why I cannot remove the loose tiles. The ones I have taken off from the shower have the waterproof adhesive stuck like glue to their backs which I cannot get off so I can't reuse these tiles, several were chipped when he removed them. I could try and remove it with a bolster but it's rock hard and id probably chip most of the tiles. I stuck 3 tiles in water for 2 weeks to try to soften the adhesive but no luck.
The loose tiles outside the shower have come away from the wall slightly (2-3mm). The whole sheet is intact and the grout is unbroken. This area does not need to be waterproof so (reluctantly) I would except some method of just sticking them back down by carefully opening the gap and pouring down some type of adhesive. I know this is not ideal and im open to better ideas.
Regards
DS

 

[kilty55]

i have a better idea,rip it off the wall and start again

,the pva trick from the builder is not a trick its a complete and utter yahoo merchants bodge job

also pouring something down the back of it adhesive wise is exactly the same im afraid and i wouldnt advise it

if you have had water damage in your bathroom i would suggest contacting your insurance and trying to get some compensation or id that fails re tiling that area your talking about from scratch,there are many offers on tiles out there at the moment if you hunt about

 

[kilty55]

Whitebeam
It's a gypsum finish on a cement undercoat.
The plaster get very wet when the shower leaked but it is undamaged, therefore it must be waterproof.
I think it's been tanked.

hi dscoll,im not sure it sounds like its been tanked,is there a coloured plasticy looking finish to the wall or is it just a gypsum finish

 

[Rich]

Step 1 would be kick that monkey who calls himself a builder out the door and throw his tools at him as he goes. Cant put into words how sick I am of hearing about people like this, he will do the "PVA trick lol", he will be paid and leave then every tile falls off the wall and he is long gone.

Get a tiler, this builder hasnt a clue what he is talking about.

 

[dscoll]

Kitty
Yes , it looks a bit plasticy.
Regards
DS

 

[dscoll]

All
I understand why everyone is so annoyed by the builders suggestion, but he's doing the work for free, since he is the one who employed the professional tiler to do the job in the first place. The professional tiler has washed his hands of it.
I simply cannot afford to have the whole bathroom retiled.
Regards
DS

 

[Saltire69]

Tilers maybe pva 'd the wall then. Try roughing it up and see if the skin peels off the plaster.

 

[dscoll]

Ok, i'll try that tonight, thanks

Tilers maybe pva 'd the wall then. Try roughing it up and see if the skin peels off the plaster.