Concerns about en-suite refurb - waterproofing

flashg67

I see all these replies and understand the reasoning behind them. However, I inherited an untiled standard plasterboard bathroom and due to cost/time etc just tiled over it. 12 years later with constant showering from a family of four, everything seems ok atm. Have I just been lucky then?

EssexExile

Likewise, until now! Oh well, I wanted a new bathroom anyway.

RainbowLaura

Have just had another message from him and he has said the tiler is happy to tank the enclosure for us. Should it therefore be okay to leave the standard plasterboard up? I'm assuming in your experience andyhop that the answer is yes!

EssexExile and flashg67, your experiences are very reassuring thank you!

andyhop

We have only ever used standard plasterboard. It's cheap as chips, easy to fit and once tanked becomes stable. Grout will allow water to pass regardless of what it says on the packet !

The sheet membrane is by far the better option. If a paint on kit is used make sure you get 3 coats and flexi tape the corners/ joints

Furts

RainbowLaura wrote: »

Have just had another message from him and he has said the tiler is happy to tank the enclosure for us. Should it therefore be okay to leave the standard plasterboard up? I'm assuming in your experience andyhop that the answer is yes!

EssexExile and flashg67, your experiences are very reassuring thank you!

Go back in time to when builders started fitting showers into houses, say 30 years ago, and only standard plasterboard was available. It worked, but it received a scim coat of plaster, then water proof tile adhesive and water proof grout.

The problems came if a tile cracked, or grout failed, or there was movement, because water would start getting into the plasterboard causing failure.

Others may disagree but I would never use ordinary plasterboard in a shower or bathroom.

J_B

Can someone explain 'tanking' in laymen's terms please?

andyhop

Tile adhesive or grout, whether premixed or cement powder is Not WATER PROOF. The term waterproof means it won't break down when wet

Other than epoxy all will allow water to pass

A thin plaster skim makes zero difference other than reduce the weight the wall can carry

andyhop

Tanking

Mapei range - aquadefense is as cheap as it gets, £40 does 2-3 installs (not wet rooms )

http://www.mapei.com/GB-EN/Products-for-Waterproofing/Shower-and-wetroom-waterproofing

Homelux

http://homelux.co.uk/downloads/Waterproof%20Matting_Leaflet.pdf

Furts

andyhop wrote: »

Tile adhesive or grout, whether premixed or cement powder is Not WATER PROOF. The term waterproof means it won't break down when wet

Other than epoxy all will allow water to pass

A thin plaster skim makes zero difference other than reduce the weight the wall can carry

Don't shoot the messenger. I am explaining what was done and much the same is being done today on thousands of homes.

Countless people are happy with this, and it works most of the time.

andyhop

Then you also have ceramic tiles that absorb 20% moisture

Ceramic tiles used to be glazed on all 4 sides, now to get a extra few tiles in the kiln they scrape the edges. Another reason why I always advise the customer to use porcelain