Genuine question - how difficult can it be?

[Toastandjam]

...to tile a shower area?

I've tanked the area, been let down by the tiler and struggling to find another one.
I have all the kit ready - tiles, (pre-mixed) adhesive and 2mm spacers. Shall I just go get a cutter and a trowel and get going?

I've watched all the videos - seems straight forward enough, or is it a dark art?

 

[Ollyfp]

You'll be lambasted by the pros for choosing a pre-mixed adhesive, but I once used a Mapei ready-mix and lived to tell the tale.
If your walls are true and you've prepped them correctly, you should be okay.
Maybe you should interpret the fact that your tiler let you down as a message from the universe to be brave and do it yourself!
Or not. Lol

 

[accelerator]

Yes, Do It Yourself!

Make sure you've watched enough videos and thought it all through first, but perfectly possible to do, it's not rocket science, it's sticking flat squares to a wall!

Good luck!

 

[johnny2007]

Place each tile on the wall, mark it, allow for spacers and see what works best then just stick them on.
Not too difficult if the wall is flat and not bumpy.
Get a decent type cutter, after all you've saved labour money.

 

[Murdochcat]

Don’t start in corners and consider all the cuts before you cut anything

 

[simplesteve]

Ah, where to start…….
Pre-mixed adhesive; so they’re small tiles then. Not the best for a first diy job.
You’ll need two cutters, a manual for straight cuts, and an electric wet for ‘L’ cuts and shaving. You’ll need hole cutters for the shower mixer/tails.
If you’re confident the walls are and flat and true, then go for it- we’ll help with any questions…..

 

[Koolpc]

Always have used pre mix with no issues what so ever..

 

[simplesteve]

Always have used pre mix with no issues what so ever..

It has its uses. Metros etc in a kitchen Splashback sure, no probs.
But some of the cheaper ones aren’t waterproof/shower enc standard, and none will do 600 x 600 porcelain.

 

[johnny2007]

Porcelain tiles require porcelain adhesive!

 

[simplesteve]

Exactly !
Years ago I did use Bal white star plus ( pre mixed bucket) on one of their training days. They spec that for Porcelain tiles, if memory serves only up to 300mm sq though.

 

[opps]

Always have used pre mix with no issues what so ever..

Fair enough, but over the years I have had to remove tiles, those with premix came off with ease. The ones with proper cement based adhesive had to be whacked off.

Premix cures via evaporation and air. Pack a tile out 1.5mm, that is gonna take a couple of days to set.

Non-premix will go off under water because it is cement based.

I tile, but I am not a profession tiler. I do about 1 bathroom per 2 years.

In the even of a leak, the premix will , in my experience, turn to mush.

Hopefully a pro will come along and clarify.

 

[simplesteve]

You are right in all of the above. Another reason why we don’t use premix; if it has went on with a thick trowel ( or maybe even ‘padded out’ somewhere) there’s no way you can take them spacers out later that day ( sometimes even a day or 3) to grout.
And not all Premix buckets are waterproof/showerproof, so if you’ve bought one check that it is suitable for bathrooms.
Premix is also harder to trowel- it doesn’t “ flow” the same as the powder adhesives, and it just doesn’t feel as sticky.

 

[foxhole]

You are right in all of the above. Another reason why we don’t use premix; if it has went on with a thick trowel ( or maybe even ‘padded out’ somewhere) there’s no way you can take them spacers out later that day ( sometimes even a day or 3) to grout.
And not all Premix buckets are waterproof/showerproof, so if you’ve bought one check that it is suitable for bathrooms.
Premix is also harder to trowel- it doesn’t “ flow” the same as the powder adhesives, and it just doesn’t feel as sticky.

Can’t say I have ever had a problem removing spacers.

 

[simplesteve]

Can’t say I have ever had a problem removing spacers.

You missed the " later that day to grout" part of the sentence, which is the whole point.

 

[foxhole]

You missed the " later that day to grout" part of the sentence, which is the whole point.

I remove next day , not sure what your point is.