Aquaboard - necessary?

Hopeful_5

Is Aquaboard necessary in an overbath shower area? My builder says that the waterproof adhesive and microban grout he uses is all that is necessary and seems a bit resistant to using Aquaboard. I thought this was standard practice nowadays. I'm worried about the wall behind the tiles getting wet and mouldy.

Thanks for any replies.

Hope

keystone

Provided he tanks the immediate area of the shower there is no need to use Aquapanel.

Cheers

misaps

you also need to take into account the weight limits of substrates. If using large format tiles Tile Backer Board has the best weight limits on offer.

Go to the 'tilesource.co.uk/wall-tiling-preparation/tile-and-adhesive-per-square-metre/' for an advisory on weight limits

phill99

The walls behind the tiles will get wet and mouldy because of poor quality materials and workmanship. Good quailty waterprood adhesive and grout, with a well set bath that does not move along with good silicone masticing will eliminate this.

Even with aquaboard, and poor quality workmanship / materials, moisture can still sit on the back of tiles and create mould etc.

redlee

As already suggested tanking the wall would be the best method, grout isn't waterproof despite what the manufacturers say and tanking stops any moisture that gets through the grout getting into contact with the substrate. If the weight of the tiles isn't an issue i wouldn't use aquaboard. Ready mixed adhesive isn't suitable for tiling onto tanked areas if your builder has a problem with this fire him off and get a tiler to tank and tile it for you.

Hopeful_5

Thanks for all your replies :beer:.
I doubt very much that the weight of the tiles I want will cause any problems (not very exciting, medium size white with a ripple from B&Q. Cheap, but I have seen them elsewhere and like them very much).

My builder says he uses an expensive grout that he mixes himself and he talked about buttering the tiles. I will ask him tomorrow what he is going to do with the wall which the bath will run along. It was originally part of the back wall of the bungalow which is now inside the extension. He's put plasterboard where the window was and the hole for the old multipoint flue has been bricked in (well breeze blocked in). I suppose the wall will be plastered in some way before the tiles go on as the wall isn't even.

I'm sure he is doing what he thinks is right - he mentioned getting someone in to fix the sealant, so he must be fussy as surely that is often a DIY job? - but I can't help worrying as I've got this dread of solid walls becoming wet and mouldy beneath tiles/plasterboard and just crumbling away :eek:.

Do some tile adhesives provide sufficient tanking?

Thanks again.

Hope