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In previous TTA articles on this subject we have referred to British Standard BS5385, the Code of Practice for fixing wall and floor tiles. Part 4 of the standard offers advice on fixing tiles in particular situations including wet areas such as in showers. BS5385 states "It is essential to tile onto an already water resistant background. Sand/cement render, dense concrete or water resistant tile backer board are ideal backgrounds. Plaster, plasterboard, timber and timber-based products such as MDF or plywood are absorbent and should be made waterproof by the use of a waterproofing or tanking system."
We have underlined the word essential as failure to do this is currently the most common cause of tiling failures in domestic bathrooms. Tiling onto non water-resistant backgrounds is therefore in breach of the British Standard BS5385.
At the same time as wetrooms and power showers are getting more and more popular so are very large tiles and they also bring with them technical issues. The first issue is weight restrictions, which can also apply to natural products such as stone or slate which are thicker and heavier than ceramic products. Tile backer board is recommended for fixing such products in wet areas; they will take greater weights but there are still limitations.
The second issue concerns the flatness of the surface being tiled. Tolerance for large format tiles are based on proportion of size of tile. A TTA registered fixer will be able to advise.
The TTA document "Tiling in Wet Rooms" has just been completed and will be available from The Tile Association before the end of the year. You will find it and other technical documents at www.tiles.org.uk/help/publications.shtml where you can download an order form. TTA members will receive one free copy.
For all you need to know about tiles and tiling go to our website at http://www.tiles.org.uk/
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