How do I fix this mess?!

ChilliBob · 29 Sep 2019

We're having new flooring and skirting installed, as part of this the old skirting needs to be removed (by us) and the surface ready to have skirting applied. I've just taken some off in the kitchen and some tiles have broken and some cement has come away. Pic attached.

I've zero experience with tiling or cement, but I was thinking along these lines:

* get some instant cement, put it on like polyfiller, not too thick, like 1cm perhaps

* Find some matching tiles, cut them to size, by scoring and 'snapping' (accepting this might not work perfectly, but that I'll probably have to buy a box of tiles anyway

* Get some tile adhesive and grout all in one (tool Station have one), apply to tiles then do grout, using pennies as spacers?

Is it possible to skip the cement stage and just use more tile adhesive to almost act as a filler? Or will this depth never set?

Any other recommendations? Also concerned how to deal with the plastic bead thing.

Erm yeah, so tiling newbie in need of advice!

Thanks

terryplumb · 29 Sep 2019

The tiles with tape look as though they need to come off as well. I would then knock off the plaster back to brickwork. Fit plasterboard with dry wall adhesive to brick ,in those areas.
Cut the plastic trim carefully at the level of the remaining tiles. Fit in a new piece when fitting the tiles. The tiles can be bonded directly to the plasterboard with tile adhesive.
You will of course need the means to cut the tiles to size ,so borrow ,hire ,or buy a tile cutter.

ChilliBob · 30 Sep 2019

Thanks for the reply, Interesting, I've never used plasterboard but can see how it could work. Yes, the taped tiles are to keep them in place whilst I figure out a fix, but they have to go too.

I guess my only concern is if the wall isn't straight (likely in this house!) then wouldn't the plasterboard give me tried compared to something akin to filler/concrete etc?

Regarding tile cutting, I'm gonna tap up my dad, I'm convinced he did our kitchen splashback 15 years back..

Tiles size seems *well* odd, 195 * 95... Not 200 * 100... Not seen these online anywhere

terryplumb · 30 Sep 2019

Quote..... I guess my only concern is if the wall isn't straight (likely in this house!) then wouldn't the plasterboard give me tried compared to something akin to filler/concrete etc?.....

Don't understand this bit ,what do you mean ?
Tile sizes are not particularly accurate .
I have seen tiles with nominal sizes ,but actually measure a bit less than stated.

ChilliBob · 30 Sep 2019

Yeah I did wonder if that would make sense... What I meant is if the brick wall isn't straight, I. E. Tapers in, or widens out, then attaching something to it won't correct this. Where as if it was something 'liquid' so to speak you could put a spirit level on it before tiling.

I'm probably over thinking as usual

Regarding sticking plasterboard, bearing in mind the side of this area, do I need special stuff or does grab adhesive work? (I've got a tube of pink grip in the shed).

Thanks

terryplumb · 30 Sep 2019

My first post tells you what to use ,dry wall adhesive. Its specifically made to bond plasterboard to brick. Its powder and you mix it with water. The method is known as " dot and dab" plasterboard installation. You sling big blobs of the adhesive onto the brick ,and then tamp on the plasterboard ,to whatever level you want. Brick must be clean /dust free surface. Its a doddle to do ,and you get a nice flat ,plumb surface to tile onto.

Keithmac · 30 Sep 2019

I repaired our walls with Bonding Plaster and tiled over that.

Dries relatively quickly.

ChilliBob · 1 Oct 2019

Thanks, so just something like this: https://www.wickes.co.uk/British-Gypsum-Thistle-Bonding-Coat-Plaster---25kg/p/220055

I guess the surface might not be as flat to tile if I'm a bit crap at it though!

Terry, thanks again, just looking at the powder plasterboard adhesive, guess people don't tend to use it in small quantities eh! I considered the foam stuff for a minute but it looks dodgy to me, and a few reviews suggest so.

Thanks both

Keithmac · 1 Oct 2019

Yep that's the stuff, it has cork in it iirc that bulks it out and makes it dry faster.

A mate at work recommended it, ideal to tile over.

bobasd · 1 Oct 2019

assuming the finished floor you have now will stay?

then remove the taped tile.
hack off the old plaster.
clean up the narrow gap by the architrave before fixing the new tile.
cut your tiles, dry fit and mark them for position.

use any old filler and Pva glue you have to hand to make a mushy adhesive mix. or you can buy small repair tubs of repair materials for a fiver.
Pva the walls and the back of the tiles.
Blob the repair mix onto the back of the tiles and the wall - just lump it on.
then squash the tiles - flat and plumb - into place.
wedge them up if needed.
how any skirting fits in you dont say. but, after pre-painting, you can silicone the skirting to any background.

ChilliBob · 1 Oct 2019

The floor will go. This is prep for someone to come in and lay an engineered floor, and new skirting.

So despite the depth from brick to existing plaster being 12mm you reckon just to almost pack it out with mixed stuff?! That makes me a tad nervous the tiles would fall off no?! Or that the mixed sfuff wouldn't dry at that depth...i do like to worry though it seems :0

bobasd · 1 Oct 2019

what i've told you will work. 12mm depth is common in plaster and render.

ChilliBob · 1 Oct 2019

Okay. I guess it's just because you're suggesting to use some random old filler, like ready mixed gap filler or something, which I've often found doesn't set if too deep. Have I understood you correctly?!

Thanks!

daggermark · 3 Oct 2019

I'd be a bit concerned as to why that plaster behind the tiles has come away from the brickwork so easily. Any signs of damp?

ChilliBob · 4 Oct 2019

Dry as a bone. It wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't put on right in the first place. We've learnt a lot of the newer additions in this house had been done on the cheap and don't seem to be super high quality!

As taking some other boards off has left some small damage, to be expected, I'm going to bonding plaster route.

Also discovered my dad does have a tile cutter, so all good on that front!

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How do I fix this mess?!

ChilliBob

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