Solid bed or dot n dab in shower area

[TSJ]

Hi there, this is my 1st post. I'm a plumber by trade and sometimes do my own tiling, and though I'm quite proficient at tiling, I'm nowhere as quick as you's guys.

Lately however I've been using a tiler, (he's done about half a dozen jobs for me over the past year or so) who I have noticed almost always dot n dabs adhesive onto back of tiles, even in shower areas. When I asked him if that was ok, he said that in over twenty years of tiling he's never had any problems with tiles coming off, as long as the walls are are tanked/water-proofed prior to tiling.

Is it ok to tile this way in wet areas ? Whenever I did my tiling I always covered the walls with a solid bed, even though as you's experienced guys will know is sometimes a pain in the neck with large tiles and uneven walls.

He does a first class job with regards to finish, looks of job etc, but I'm wondering if I'll have problems in future with tiles coming loose etc. in the wet areas ?

Any advice would be much appreciated,

thanks

 

[Gazzer]

No, BS states solid bed fixing. I am sure others will elaborate more ...off to work now !

 

[Bubblecraft]

Hi & welcome to TF. As Neale above has stated, BS states that a solid bed is required.

 

[Andy Allen]

i would be looking for another tiler if i was you..!!

 

[Del W]

Try to avoid dot & dabbing. You may never have a problem,but if you do,you wont have a leg to stand on.

 

[Martyn Leeds]

Find another tiler.
Does he also dot'n'dab on the floor as well?? Probably

 

[TSJ]

thanks to all who have replied, it's appreciated.

As I thought, solid bed is the way to go in wet areas. I suppose it's acceptable in other areas of walls where there's no splashing of water ?

In areas like showers what size notched trowel do you's guys use, especially on large tiles/uneven walls ?

thanks in advance,

Tom

 

[TSJ]

Hi Martyn, thanks for your reply.
No, on floors he uses solid bed every time

Tom

 

[Ajax123]

You should get the guy to pick your lottery numbers cos if he has never had a problem in twenty years he must be the luckiest tiler going....

 

[area tiling]

I've repaired to many jobs that have been dot and dabbed in the past, not only is it poor practice its just lazy! And if your drilling into tiles to fix shower doors or basin's your sure to crack a few tiles ! Use the trowel get a solid bed and skim back of tiles to get the required plumb!

 

[afright]

Solid bed,dot and dabbed leaves to many voids which in turn gives you cracked and broken tiles,he might have been doing it for twenty years but he's being doing it incorrect for twenty years.

 

[bugs183]

It's amazing his tiles havn't fallen off.
Not only does d'n'dabbing leave holes, not combing the adhesive means it has no mechanical key to bond the adhesive to the substrate.
He's been lucky, and a bit slack!

 

[Gazzer]

Dot and dab is not an acceptable method anywhere. Just think of the voids, weak areas and what can breed in those areas.
Just because he has done it this way for years doesn't make it right.

 

[mcarthurtiling]

no way dot dab, in my opinion if the preparation is right theres no need to dot dab.

 

[charlie1]

I may be wrong but bs is 100% on floors and wet areas, 60% everywhere else.