Bathroom Tiling

djt0607

Hi,

I have almost finished tiling (95% done) my bathroom with wall tiles (30*60 ceramic)

However, I have now learned that tiling over a painted surface is dodgy. I have checked the bond (by banging on the tiles) on most of the tiles and they seem solid. However, two of the tiles have come away very easily when I was tapping off them while putting up another tile earlier. (now in saying that, when the tiles came away, there was little adhesive on the wall and the design was still on the back of the tile...so I'm thinking it may not have been even attached fully to the wall..they were tiles in the corner so I put the adhesive on the tiles rather than on the wall itself). I read that the painted surface should have been, at least, keyed. Is this true?

The adhesive I used was a mapeii powder one.

I'm in a quandary as to what to do here. I put in alot of work, time n money into tiling it...but, on the other hand, I don't want it to fail 12 months down the line. What should I do?

Thanks.

2011

The first thing I would do is pull 3 or 4 off the wall to see how easilty it is to remove them. If they remove easily this tell you they won't stay. If difficut to remove although it does not 100% mean you are in the clear, but it would inspire a higher level of confidence.

I think that the grout will help to some extent. What type of wall & finish? Plastered blockwork or plasterboard? Is there much "give" / movement in the wall? Was a flexiable adhesive used? Did you apply plent of adhesive to the tiles (apart from what you mentioned above) ?

djt0607

Hi. Thanks for replying. The adhesive is a flexible powdered one. It's a plasterboard wall. I'm not sure what you mean by much give/ movement in the wall. It's 4 plasterboard walls in a small bathroom. Much adhesive was applied to the tiles. When you say 'easily' remove the tiles... to give you an idea....I put a chisel behind the tile, banged at it 3 or 4 times and the whole tile came away from the wall.

djt0607

Forgot to mention, it's a painted plasterboard wall.

2011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119217761#Comment_119217761

By "give" I meant "flex". I would expect to be able to remove any tile by putting a chisel behind it. The tile would not normally be exposed to levering forces like this. If you push aagainst the wall does it flex? To tiles pop? If not I would drive on, hope for the best and see what happens.

djt0607

Ahh... there is very very minor (next to none) give/flex on the wall of you were to bang out fall against the wall.

djt0607

I removed the top tiles (above head level). They're really bonded strong. Had to smash a tile (many times with hammer and chisel) to remove it. I'm questioning whether to leave the ones below head level. What ya think?

2011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119220182#Comment_119220182

I would chance it

djt0607

OK, thanks

mickdw

With flexible adhesive, the tiles will tend to come away if levered like you have done.

I figure it's due to the nature of the flexi stuff versus solid set.

Yes' it would have been a good idea to key the wall to improve grip but I wouldn't worry really.

policarp

Some adhesives take time to set.

Especially over shiney surfaces.