Complete Bathroom Tiling - Preparation

[Schmill]

Many thanks for you answers, I think perhaps I have read so many links I forgot what I read where.

Instead of the Rapidset Flexible will this be suitable? It seems to give a longer Pot Time and I have no real NEED for rapid drying:
http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/products/single-part-flexible

What coverage should I expect from it? I don't understand the difference between the 'wet wall' and 'dry wall' coverage figures, is this meaning the construction of the wall, (ie. I have drywall, plasterboard sheets), or is it meaning walls that you EXPECT to get Wet (ie. around the shower), or DRY (the rest of the bathroom?)
This site quotes just 5m2 from a 20kg bag:
http://www.vistatiling.co.uk/products/BAL_Single_Part_Flexible_Adhesive.html

My bathroom is 15m2 after allowing for windows & door taken out of the tiled areas, so I am not sure if I should be looking for 2 bags, or 3 bags of adhesive. At over £30 a abag it makes a difference.

Do you have any guidance on this?

Thanks

 

[Richard C]

Instead of the Rapidset Flexible will this be suitable? It seems to give a longer Pot Time and I have no real NEED for rapid drying:
http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/products/single-part-flexible[/QUOTE]
That will be fine; you will have to leave overnight before grouting though.

What coverage should I expect from it? I don't understand the difference between the 'wet wall' and 'dry wall' coverage figures, is this meaning the construction of the wall, (ie. I have drywall, plasterboard sheets), or is it meaning walls that you EXPECT to get Wet (ie. around the shower), or DRY (the rest of the bathroom?)

The wet wall/dry wall coverage is due to the type of adhesive bed required; a wet wall (one exposed to water) needs a solid bed adhesive base & this is achieved by the type of trowel used; a dry wall would be one not exposed to water & less adhesive with a different trowel can be used.

This site quotes just 5m2 from a 20kg bag:
http://www.vistatiling.co.uk/products/BAL_Single_Part_Flexible_Adhesive.html
My bathroom is 15m2 after allowing for windows & door taken out of the tiled areas, so I am not sure if I should be looking for 2 bags, or 3 bags of adhesive. At over £30 a abag it makes a difference.

Quality products don’t come cheap & a failed tile base works out expensive when it happens; but search & ye will find;
http://www.wallsandfloors.co.uk/acc-details.php?aid=14

2 x 20kg bags wil do you.

or check out one of the other makes I recomended

 

[Schmill]

Brilliant replies, I am very very thankful.
I have ordered the stuff and will let you know how I get on, (if you are interested), or just shut up now, which ever you would prefer

The wet wall/dry wall coverage is due to the type of adhesive bed required; a wet wall (one exposed to water) needs a solid bed adhesive base & this is achieved by the type of trowel used; a dry wall would be one not exposed to water & less adhesive with a different trowel can be used.

I guess that is a mistake I would have possibly made then, as I would likely have used a notched trowel for the whole lot. I will of course read the information on the BAL website first though, so hopefully that will cover what is required for the different beds

 

[Richard C]

I have ordered the stuff and will let you know how I get on, (if you are interested), or just shut up now, which ever you would prefer

Do post back how you get on; feedback on your experience is always very welcome but not often forthcoming.

 

[Schmill]

The wet wall/dry wall coverage is due to the type of adhesive bed required; a wet wall (one exposed to water) needs a solid bed adhesive base & this is achieved by the type of trowel used; a dry wall would be one not exposed to water & less adhesive with a different trowel can be used.

Richard, I have to confess this one has me stumped

I can understand that in 'wet' area (I'm thinking around the shower area, and perhaps around the entire bath area?), that I will need a solid bed, and for the rest of the room I can probably just do the 'dry wall' coverage.
Reading the BAL documentation it says for a wet wall I need a "BAL THIN BED SOLID BED TROWEL", and for a dry wall I can use a "BAL ROUND NOTCHED TROWEL".
However other than those bits of information I can find no information on what it means, other than it is the size / shape of the notches on the trowel, but nothing specific about WHAT size / shape it refers to.

It seems that most of the wall tile trowels I can find are 6mm notch trowels, is this correct?
Some guidance here would be greatfully received - Thanks!

 

[Richard C]

Trowels can be a bit confusing; the size, shape & pitch of the notches dictates the adhesive bed thickness & adhesive coverage underneath the tile which can be between 50-100% depending where the tile is being fixed & the type of tile.

Rather than trying to explain it all have a read here, page 4 should tell it all;
http://www.ytc-tiles.com/articles/bal-fixing-guide.pdf

 

[Schmill]

A very useful document, many thanks Richard.
So as long as I get a trowel(s) of the design described on Pg2 for 'Thin bed solid bed', and 'round nothced' I should be sorted

 

[Richard C]

You can use a thin solid bed trowel for everthing but it will use slightly more adhesive. You must only use a thick solid bed trowel for floors to ensure the tiles are fully supported.