Tiling Bathroom - Going overboard?

[ChrisSG]

Hi All,

New to the forum but not new to DIY...

Been reading a lot of posts on here recently to get some ideas on the best way to go about tiling the bathroom in my new house. It's not going to be anything too complex - L-shape bath with shower, sink on counter top unit, toilet and tiled floor to ceiling on all four walls. I'll be taking the old plasterboard walls out with the tiles on for speed as they'll no doubt get damaged taking the tiles off anyway.

My main question is, how far do I go with waterproofing behind the tiles?
I've read lots about using Wedi, Jackoboard etc but that would work out pretty expensive if I was to replace all plasterboard with new plasterboard then whack Wedi boards over the top to waterproof the whole room. Think that would also be unnecessary as it's not a wet room.
I was thinking of using Hardibacker board instead of new plasterboard on all the walls as this can be tiled straight on to and is water-resistant (right?!). Then around the top of the bath and the shower area, using some thin (6mm?) Wedi (or equivalent) board on top of Hardiebacker to make sure this area is waterproof.

I find it quite confusing as there's a lot of conflicting advice out there especially when you factor in the cost of some of this stuff!

Any advice or confirmations on the above would be really appreciated. Might even post some pics when it's done so you can judge the work accordingly

Thanks in advance,
Chris

P.S. Sorry if this is a repeat of other questions asked. Other threads I found led me to posting this though!

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Your right, I often get asked if emulsion is ok for fixing tiles!

 

[Tony_C]

I'm guilty of using those also John

 

[Spare Tool]

Easiest way to tell is try taking one of yesterdays fixed tiles off, if it comes off quite easily and adhesive will still scrape off its a worry at the least...

 

[ChrisSG]

Unfortunately I don't think he's mixing it up in the buckets as he said about using ready mixed and there's a few tubs here! I'm kinda confused as he really doesn't seem like a 'bodger' so I'm sure he'd know what the correct procedures are :S

Appreciate the ideas and replies. I might try popping off a tile tomorrow, or see if he'll pop one off when he's back - I don't really want to **** the guy off yet!

I see, from research, the issues with ready mix are a lot to do with the way it dries; it can take quite a while? Is there also a strength/longevity issue with it as well?


Cheers, Chris

 

[Tony_C]

In that case you have more than enough reason to be concerned, data sheet says maximum size porcelain tiles are 150x150, even if they were ceramics they are double the size at .18m2 to the .09m2 they advise. You won't be wrong to query it, it will just be how you go about it that can get a stronger reaction from him

 

[ChrisSG]

Cheers Tony C, that's exactly it. Feel like you cant argue with the facts that are right there!

You're right about the approach - should be fine on that front.

 

[Spare Tool]

It's a bloody shame, this thread started with you wanting to prep properly, which you did and if it is bucket addy they really will all have to come off. Be interesting to hear what he has to say on the matter and how a TTA member shows no regard for proper procedures... One saving grace is the tiles can be soaked through, adhesive scrapped off as it will just turn to mush then tiles reused.. Might be a little more difficult to get it off the plasterboard now though, longer its left harder it will be..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Be interested what the TTA will say when you ring them!

 

[Flintstone]

Sorry to read this. I would confront him head on about it. Any photos of the work ? Photos of the exposed edge of a tile so we can see his fixing methods..

 

[ChrisSG]

OK spoke to the tiler who did take my question seriously and didn't get defensive (which was good). His reply was that he's used the adheasive a lot for a number of years and never had any issues and used it for some larger tiles than I've got here. So he seems confident and said the drying times wont be a problem due to how he puts the addy on and the current weather / house temp (house is pretty warm haha).

So I'm more confident than I was but also not completely as it's not 'by the book'.

Trying to avoid a dispute and redo because its actually quite frustrating / disheartening for the exact reason AndyTiler said. I put a lot of hard work in, week off work etc for the prep work, which the tiler did commend too.

I'm sure it's easy to think of this guy as 'terrible' but he honestly seems ok and not like hes trying to shaft me knowingly

Thanks, Chris

Pics attached!

 

[Spare Tool]

It's your bathroom Chris, really is up to you how you move forward with the situation, but I'll just leave this here...off the technical data spec for whitestar plus

 

[ChrisSG]

Thanks for the quick reply Andystiletiling. I have indeed seen the datasheet which is what kicked off my worrying! Before that I was all good!

I'm thinking of carrying on as it's nearly done, is a neat job that I'm visually happy with and, as said before, I dont feel I'm being taken for a ride. Hard to have to pay if you're not completely happy but the alternative... Probably another month or more of waiting and not being able to wash at home.

Maybe this is why it's just easier to do everything yourself after all haha.

Chris

 

[Qwerty]

It all needs to come off. Contact BAL technical support and see what they say. IMO being a TTA member stands for very little nowadays and this is proof of that. Such a shame

 

[Spare Tool]

I agree on the face of it it looks acceptable and the agony of redoing...well, I get where your coming from. It's your choice but one last thing, the minute that's grouted its like putting the lid back on the tub, it will not dry any further and that is quite a bed depth, well over 3mm max advised, so all i can say is leave it as long as possible before grouting or it'll still not be set this time next year..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

600x300 = 8 times the recommended size for this adhesive and he says he’s fixed bigger with this dispersion adhesive. He needs to be removed from the TTA as he is certainly not enhancing their standards or reputation.
What this thread shows is people accept a so called decent appearance at the risk of longevity and the thought of danger and future damage are trivialised, allowing these chancers to continue putting our trade into disrepute. For someone to pretend to be a tradesman and undertake work of this standard is criminal.