tiles not sticking to wall

[adamha]

Hi, don't know if anyone can help but I'm having real difficulty getting tiles to stick to the current wall in bathroom. I was hoping on removing the old tiles that the surface would be ok but not great to just tile over. However every tile is not grabbing well and falls off from the slightest pull. The tiles are 300x600 ceramics. The mixture used was mapei standard set adhesive ( powder). Tried a few different consistencies of adhesive and nothing seems to hold. The walls are in pretty bad way. Pictures attached. I need help with knowing if i need to get it plastered, back borded or primed first. Dont want to plaster if it will make no difference. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[Ajax123]

Have you primed it? It looks like its pretty dry

 

[adamha]

Have you primed it? It looks like its pretty dry

This is exactly my problem. I'm unsure if it needs it, and if so, what kind. The plaster skim has pretty much fallen off, leaving the undercoat visible on the majority of the wall. I was not sure if i should get it re skimmed, or just primed or something else.

 

[Dave]

This is exactly my problem. I'm unsure if it needs it, and if so, what kind. The plaster skim has pretty much fallen off, leaving the undercoat visible on the majority of the wall. I was not sure if i should get it re skimmed, or just primed or something else.

You can’t tile directly to a backing coat. Get it skimmed. 👍

 

[adamha]

You can’t tile directly to a backing coat. Get it skimmed. 👍

Thanks. Will I be able to tile directly to the plaster skim? Had opinions that it should be rough finsihed to get tiles to stick. Also would plaster need to be primed?

 

[Dave]

Thanks. Will I be able to tile directly to the plaster skim? Had opinions that it should be rough finsihed to get tiles to stick. Also would plaster need to be primed?

Plaster to a smooth finish . Leave to thoroughly dry and then prime as per instructions.

 

[Huddersfield Tiling]

Have you primed it? It looks like its pretty dry

The plaster is shot, weak, dried out and unsuitable to receive tiles. You will need to completely rip-out this room of all old plaster back to brick, rip out all plasterboard and dri-line all walls prior to tiling.