Waterproofing an untanked wetroom

[Dee.633]

Hi,
I am finishing off a previously started wet room which is already tiled on the walls but not grouted. The walls were not tanked and the tiles were laid on to bare plaster board. Not ideal but i am where i am. Should I use epoxy grout on the walls to try and get the maximum waterproofing I can or would a water resistant grout suffice?

The floor is a better situation as it is tanked and the tanking goes approx 6 inch up the walls. I am wanting to put travertine mosaic tiles on the floor and may still use epoxy grout, unless you recomend otherise. The travatine has the natural holes and dips in it which would normaly be filled with an ordinary grout, if I use epoxy do i fill these imperfections with the grout?

Do I seal the travertine tiles before I grout them?

Many thanks for yur help.

 

[White Room]

Is the shower a power version and how many people are using the shower per day..

 

[Dee.633]

Hi,
Sorry for the delay, I'm still getting used to how this works. It isn't a power shower and 2 people max use it per day at the most as this is not the main shower.
Cheers

 

[White Room]

You could use a standard grout and try this Tradetiler Aqumix Tile Sealer

 

[Dee.633]

Hi,
Cheers, I will look into that. Willi need to seal the travertine before I grout floor tiles?

 

[White Room]

I don't so the holes get filled with grout and it stays there, make sure you don't over stretch yourself and use plenty of clean water when cleaning the grout residue off, when dry then seal..

 

[Dee.633]

Thanks for your advice. I will look into the Agumix tile sealer but having said that do you think epoxy grout would give a more waterproof result? I realise its a lt harder to use and its a lot more expensive.

 

[White Room]

To be honest the amount of usage it will get would be an expensive overkill IMO..

 

[Dee.633]

Thanks for your advice, Cheers

 

[Stef]

You could use a standard grout and try this Tradetiler Aqumix Tile Sealer

I was looking at that tile sealer & it states that its for ceramic tiles, is it ok to use on any other tiles, ie porcelain, stone etc,
reason i ask is i used an aerosol sealer on my kitchen tiles, red glass, think it was universal seal but it left residue on the face of the tile. you cant see it unless the tiles are wet, once dried it dissapears.

 

[jay]

I was looking at that tile sealer & it states that its for ceramic tiles, is it ok to use on any other tiles, ie porcelain, stone etc,
reason i ask is i used an aerosol sealer on my kitchen tiles, red glass, think it was universal seal but it left residue on the face of the tile. you cant see it unless the tiles are wet, once dried it dissapears.

there are two main sealers used over here super seal witch needs to be buffed off within one hour of application http://www.solutionssealers.com.au/...on 2010/Super Seal Application Data Sheet.pdf

there is also Sure seal witch doesnt need buffing after application Sure Seal Australia - Tile, Grout and Masonry Sealers - Porcelain Sealants and Cleaners

might be the problem

 

[PHG Dave]

Hi Dee,
Re your comment on the 'water resistant grout' please note that all that means is that the grout will not be affected by water but unsealed it will still absorb water and even allow it through eventually - ie it is not waterproof. By sealing with a good impregnating sealer such as LTP's Mattstone it will seal it off.
The main issue even for an epoxy grout or a sealed cement based grout is the potential for any movement in corners between wall to wall or wall to floor may cause the grout to crack and allow water a route through. In corner locations try using a colour matched Silicone sealant.

Re the sealing of the travertine tiles i would normally recommend a first coat of sealer before grouting to stop the travertine from absorbing the moisture out of the grout as you are applying it. If you are not very quick in getting the grout in the joints of unsealed trav it can be like trying to push dry sand in !
The sealer will not stop the grout from sticking in any holes present.

 

[davemul]

I would reccomend epoxy grout. For that little bit extra expense, you have peace of mind.

Go with Mapei Kerapoxy, available in their entire colour range

I have some ready to go so cannot comment on how it is to apply yet.. but comments on here about it are encouraging!

Put it this way, im using it, but have completley tanked the whole room and then some