tiling to unfinshed wall?

[wellerman]

Got a small stand-alone toilet room off the upstairs landing and the top coat plaster was all blown so taken it off back to the rough undercoat plaster

Can I tile direct to this, or do I need to skim a new coat of plaster on first?

If I dot/dab plasterboard instead can I tile direct to that or does it need plastering first?

Want to avoid plastering really, as I've never done it before!!!

Idid think I could use aquaboard instead of plasterboard to line the wall first and be able to tile direct to that but the instructions say it must be fixed to battens and I haven't got enough space to batten it first - it will end up too deep.

Any help appreciated

 

[lancenotalot]

Tiling onto bonding/undercoat is not a good idea as the adhesive doesnt bond well to it.
You can dot and dab plasterbrd on though and tile directly onto it as you suggested.

 

[PaulTheTiler]

Tiling onto bonding/undercoat is not a good idea as the adhesive doesnt bond well to it.

really??

I guess it depends on the adhesive. There are plenty of readymix adhesives on the market that are fine to use on bonding / undercoat. To be honest I would much rather tile onto a good undercoat than a smooth top-coat as it gives a better key - in fact, some adhesive manufacturers recommend NOT to tile direct to top coat plaster without wire-brushing it first.

 

[lancenotalot]

Item 13 http://www.tiles.org.uk/help/answer-gypsum.shtml?hilite=finishing+plaster

New gypsum plaster
http://www.toppstiles.co.uk/s_moreinfo/2932_1_Bal_Grip_and_Blue_Star.pdf

I never mentioned skim coat and if I fix to it I would use an acrylic primer first.

 

[wellerman]

I've already got BAL rapidset flexible for the floor and bathroom walls.

Would that be OK to use instead of Grip or Blue star?

 

[lancenotalot]

If they are med tiles and as its only a wc I would use bal green star.trade price from my local topps is about £6.50
You could use the rapid flexi if you wanted though.

 

[wellerman]

600x300x10 ??

 

[wellerman]

And is it OK to use PVA to seal the walls first (1 to 3 mix?)

 

[lancenotalot]

For that size tile use powdered adhesive.

PVA, I never use the stuff,I always go for acrylic primer,would probably be ok in a wc though.

 

[Richard C]

And is it OK to use PVA to seal the walls first (1 to 3 mix?)

DO NOT use standard PVA on any tile base & it could prove a disaster in a wet area; if you need to prime use acrylic primer only. Powder adhesive for that size/weight tile, as stated.

 

[tictic]

If they are med tiles and as its only a wc I would use bal green star.trade price from my local topps is about £6.50
You could use the rapid flexi if you wanted though.

no offence here lancenotalot.. but i wouldnt even use green star.. not even on a kitchen splashback..its crap!!

 

[wellerman]

OH!

Only just got to read this and I've already used the PVA!

Shall I overcoat it with an acrylic primer then? Only reason I haven't started tiling is because the tile cutter I bought is too small to accomodate the large format tiles!

Any suggestions for a tile cutter anyone?

 

[lancenotalot]

If they are med tiles and as its only a wc I would use bal green star.trade price from my local topps is about £6.50
You could use the rapid flexi if you wanted though.

no offence here lancenotalot.. but i wouldnt even use green star.. not even on a kitchen splashback..its crap!!

Maybe your not using it right tic Always found it ok in kitchens and wcs.

 

[lancenotalot]

DO NOT use standard PVA on any tile base & it could prove a disaster in a wet area; if you need to prime use acrylic primer only. Powder adhesive for that size/weight tile, as stated.

Richard the op is only tiling a wc so not a wet area.

Wellerman,the reason PVA is not advised by the tilers on here is because it breaks down when wet,its bonding properties are good.
I never use it but I know some tilers that do,as it's a wc that your tiling I wouldn't worry but if you wanted to sand it off and the use an acrylic primer for piece of mind you could.

As for a tile cutter you might be best to hire one.

 

[Richard C]

Richard the op is only tiling a wc so not a wet area.

Personally I would never use standard PVA anywhere on a tile base. The problem is that even in a dry area, the tile adhesive can re-emulsify the PVA giving adhesion problems & in some cases it can be difficult to get the tiles to grab & stay in one place. It can lengthen the whole tiling process considerably & if they move, the finished job can look a real mess. Probably be OK with cement based adhesive as it will eventually stick to almost anything but thems pretty big & heavy tiles.