INTRODUCTION
Shower areas may take many forms from an attachment to taps over the bath, to enclosed cubicles, to communal showers. Varying degrees of exposure to water will occur from splash contact and condensation to the full force of a power shower directly onto the tiled wall. The correct choice of adhesive and grout is therefore essential. Tiling work should be carried out in accordance with BS 5385 Part 4 2015 “Code of practice for tiling and mosaics in specific conditions.”
Ensuring your bathroom or shower installation is fully waterproof is perhaps the most important part of any tiler’s work, because tiles, tile adhesive and tile grout on their own will not inherently protect against water damage. See BS 5385 Part 1 2018 “Design and installation of ceramic, natural stone and mosaic wall tiling in normal internal conditions – Code of practice”:
“6.1.1.3 Tanking
In wet areas, e.g. showers, wet rooms and steam rooms, substrates should be protected with a suitable proprietary tanking membrane system.
The weight capacity of the tanking system should be capable of carrying the load of the tiles and adhesive. If mechanical fixings are to be used the membrane manufacturer should be consulted.
Where the substrate is to be protected with a tanking membrane the weight restrictions of the installation might be reduced therefore the membrane manufacturer should be consulted.”
BACKGROUNDS
The ideal background for tiling in a wet area is a cement/sand rendering or proprietary tile backer boards. Others may include existing ceramic tiles in sound condition, finish coat plaster* and plasterboard*.
*Depending on service area/conditions i.e. single domestic shower (not power).
Backgrounds should be in good sound condition, clean, dry and free from dust, laitance and barriers to adhesion. Surfaces must be SR1 level or better (no deviation greater than 3mm under a 2m straight edge at any point) and free from deflection and movement.
Plaster
- New plasterwork should have been completed at least four weeks previously and should be dry throughout before tiling commences.
- Tiles should be fixed only to the finish coat and should not be fixed directly to the backing coat. Ensure that the surface is not shiny or has been water flashed.
- If so, abrade with gritted paper or a wire brush to remove and ensure surface is completely dry and dust free.
- The plasterwork should be firmly bonded to its background and be sufficiently strong to support the specified tiling. The maximum weight of tiling which should be supported by a dry, firmly adhered plaster background is 20 kg/m², taking into account that the adhesive and grout can add up to 4kg/m². It is highly advised to ascertain the weight of the tiling.
Plasterboard
- It will be ensured that sheets are dry, securely fixed and rigid with no protruding fixings and the face intended to receive the decorative finish is exposed.
- Should be at least 12.5mm thick and comply with BS EN 520: 2004 + A1:2009 and be Type 3 where there is any exposure to moisture.
- Plasterboard should be fixed with screws at 300mm centres both horizontally and vertically to seasoned timber or suitable proprietary framed supports or as per board manufacturers recommendations. The maximum weight of tiling which should be supported is 32 kg/m², taking into account that the adhesive and grout can add up to 4kg/m². It is highly advised to ascertain the weight of the tiling.
Tile backer board
- It will be ensured that sheets are dry, securely fixed and rigid with no protruding fixings and the face intended to receive the decorative finish is exposed.
- Installed following manufacturers recommendations (typically minimum thickness of 12mm and fixed with screws at 300mm centres). The maximum weight of tiling which should be supported will vary and should be confirmed with the manufacturer.
Cement:sand render
- New render should have been completed at least two weeks previously and should be dry throughout before tiling commences.
- The render should be firmly bonded to the background.
TANKING
- Before the shower tray is installed the floor should be checked for soundness and should be flat and smooth.
- Either BAL TANK-IT or BAL WATERPROOF 1C can be used. These are liquid applied systems that can be applied with a paint brush, roller or trowel onto the wall.
- When using BAL WATERPROOF 1C, some backgrounds may require priming with BAL PRIMER 1C.
- The tanking coat should be applied to the required total thickness over the floor and to the walls where water contact is expected.
- The coating should be reinforced with the appropriate tape on; internal and external corners of walls/partitions and their junctions with bases, upstands, columns, etc; pipe penetrations, draining channels and outlets; junctions of different backgrounds/ base materials; over cracks and joints in background/base.
- Allow the coating to dry fully before tiling.
For detailed information about mixing and application of each individual product, please refer to the technical data sheets respectively.
TILE INSTALLATION
- It is important that there are no voids underneath the tiles therefore the solid bed fixing method of application should be used.
- The adhesive should be spread using a suitable sized notched trowel, depending on the nature, size and back pattern of the tile.
- Grouting should be carried out once the adhesive has been allowed to fully dry.
- The junction between the shower tray and the tiling should be sealed thoroughly, e.g. using a silicone sealant such as BAL MICROMAX SEALANT, or a proprietary sealing system.
- The internal vertical corners and any joints should also be sealed.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Tanking
BAL TANK-IT, comprising BAL TANK-IT powder, BAL TANK-IT liquid, BAL SCRIM TAPE.
BAL WATERPROOF 1C, comprising BAL WATERPROOF 1C liquid, BAL PRIMER 1C, BAL SCRIM TAPE.
Adhesives
For most ceramic and porcelain tile installations, BAL FLEX ONE, BAL RAPID FLEX ONE or BAL MAX FLEX FIBRE are suitable.
For natural stone tile installations with porous light-coloured stone, a rapid setting adhesive is usually recommended i.e. BAL RAPID FLEX ONE.
Grouts
Domestic Shower Cubicle (non-power shower)
• BAL GROUT (modify with BAL ADMIX GT1)
▪ BAL GROUT FLEX*
▪ BAL MICROMAX3 ECO*
▪ BAL ABSOLUTE GROUT
Note 1: * BAL Grout Flex and BAL Micromax3 Eco Grouts meet the requirements of BS EN 13888 for a CG2WA (with higher polymer levels which increases abrasion resistance and reduces water absorption).
Communal Showers and Domestic Power Showers
▪ BAL GROUT FLEX
▪ BAL MICROMAX3 ECO
▪ BAL ABSOLUTE GROUT **
Note 2: ** In installations where the power shower has multi heads/ body jets, a suitable epoxy based grout is recommended.
Aftercare - Cleaning and Maintenance
It is recommended that BAL MICROSHIELD cleaner is applied over the tiles and seals and that the tiling is wiped down frequently after spraying.
To maintain cleanliness of surfaces it is recommended that the tiling is cleaned with the aid of BAL MICROSHIELD.
Note 3: BAL MICROMAX3 ECO and BAL MICROSHIELD contain Microban® antibacterial protection.
NB : Showers should not be brought into service for at least 14 days after the completion of grouting and sealing
TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE
For free expert guidance on the use of BAL products, or any aspect of ceramic tiling with BAL products, contact the BAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICE on 01782 591120.
THE BAL 25 YEAR GUARANTEE
BAL products are supplied with a 25 year product guarantee. For further details and/or copies please contact the Company’s marketing department.
NOTE
The customer must verify the suitability of any information, opinion, recommendation or advice (“information”) provided by the Company for the particular application for which any goods are intended to be used and the Company accepts no liability (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) whatsoever for any loss, damage or expense arising from the misuse of any information it supplies, nor for the use of any information in or for applications which are unsuitable or inappropriate. Building Adhesives Ltd operates a continuous research and development programme and reserves the right to alter or to update information from time to time.
“Note: Any advice, opinion or information is given to assist the use of the Company’s products on the basis that the user will ensure its suitability for the application intended. In particular the Company cannot accept liability for loss or damage which may arise from incorrect use of its products or from poor workmanship. The Company operates a continuous research and development programme and reserves the right to update information without notice.”
Articles in this section
- TN 01.23 - Use of Cement Based Products in Warm Weather
- TN 02.23 Tiling to Asphalt Floors
- TN 03.24 - Use of Primers and Bonding Agents
- TN 04.24 - Ceramic & Natural Stone Floor Tiling to Heated Sub-floors
- TN 05.23 Tiling A Small External Patio & Ground Floor Terrace
- TN 06.23 Common Issues With Grouting
- TN 07.24 Deflection of Sub-Floors and Rigid Finish
- TN 08.23 Screed Drying Times
- TN 09.23 Types of Movement in Tiling Installations
- TN 10.23 - Heavily Trafficked Floors & Hard Wheeled Traffic