Tiling on to ply

[Fordy81]

I have plywood in the corner of my bathroom (floor to ceiling) that hides the waste pipes. Against this I will be putting the sink/vanity unit. Can I tile straight on to it as it won't be getting wet, or shouldn't be anyway? I'll be using BAL max flex adhesive if that helps at all.

If not, what are my options?

Thanks

 

[ree]

Yes, you can tile straight on to ply. Hopefully, 3/4" ply?

Make sure the ply is well screwed and has no flex
.
As a belts and braces measure, you can run self sticking fibre mesh plaster board tape over any joins or outside corners.

No need for expensive adhesive, just a bag of cementitious powder and mix with water.

 

[Fordy81]

Yes, you can tile straight on to ply. Hopefully, 3/4" ply?

Make sure the ply is well screwed and has no flex
.
As a belts and braces measure, you can run self sticking fibre mesh plaster board tape over any joins or outside corners.

No need for expensive adhesive, just a bag of cementitious powder and mix with water.

No, it's only 6mm. And there are no joints except the outside corner. Just big long sheets. Doesn't appear to have any 'noggins' in it either. Could this be a problem with the weight of the tiles?

 

[ree]

What you describe appears to be boxing in?

6mm is too light to tile on - i wouldn't use it for tiling on a floor or on a vertical but others might disagree.

If its in place then test it for any flexing - if it flexes its useless for tile, if not then its your call whether to go a head and tile, or replace with something stronger.

 

[Fordy81]

What you describe appears to be boxing in?

6mm is too light to tile on - i wouldn't use it for tiling on a floor or on a vertical but others might disagree.

If its in place then test it for any flexing - if it flexes its useless for tile, if not then its your call whether to go a head and tile, or replace with something stronger.

Yes sorry, that's exactly what it is. For the waste pipes going down and under the house.

Is there any way I can reinforce it without removing it? If I placed hardiebacker on it? Would that help it at all?

 

[ree]

Yes, use backer board. Screw it on.

 

[Fordy81]

Yes, use backer board. Screw it on.

No adhesive?

 

[ree]

Sure, use adhesive - belt and braces. You can use the same cementitious powdered adhesive that you use on the tile.

AAMOI: i've never "glued" backer board and no call backs so far.

 

[AdamCH]

Important to use adhesive on floors to fill any voids but you can just use screws to fix it to walls.

 

[Fordy81]

Thanks very much guys. It's really appreciated.

 

[longdogs]

I would certainly seal it first with PVA or similar. Ply is porous and adhesive may not stick

 

[AdamCH]

I don't think Ply needs priming (but read the adhesive instructions). If you do prime it use proper primer for the adhesive don't use PVA - especially in the bathroom.

 

[longdogs]

There is a waterproof PVA, but as he says its not going to get wet. Its just that tiles onto bare ply tend to fall off

 

[AdamCH]

You might be using the wrong adhesive if they're falling off.

I've just taken up a bathroom floor - Trav onto ply - and it had to be completely smashed with an SDS chisel to get it up. Well bonded doesn't describe it.

These days of course stone onto ply would be a heinous crime & you'd be lynched for not using matting but bonding to ply isn't an issue if you use the correct adhesive.

 

[Nozzle]

Use the special (ceramic coated) screws, else the rust will stain your grout

Nozzle