Do you know what a professional tiling job is?
During a recent bathroom demolition we removed a shower screen, and a strip of tiles came off the wall right with it. Underneath the tiles was white set plaster with lines cut through it (as pictured in the image above).
Now, in the bedroom adjoined to this bathroom, a section of a wall was patched up by the previous owners which indicated to us that there is a moisture problem. So many houses in Perth have this problem and here is why.
Good tilers prepare walls properly for tiling!
As per ARDEX, global manufacturer of floor levelling, tile adhesives and waterproofing membranes, “all contaminants such as paint, white set gypsum-based plasters, waxy/oily residues and laitance shall be removed” from the surfaces prior to waterproofing and tiling. This step is very important, and it is shocking how many tilers in Perth don’t follow the manufacturer’s advice. Instead they cut lines and notches into white set and tile over it. Tiles glued to white set plaster don’t have a strong grip with the wall and can easily come away from the wall like in the case with the bathroom pictured above.
What about waterproofing?
Contrary to popular belief, ceramic tiles and grout are not waterproof. Water will penetrate through cement-based grout and work its way through the substrate, that’s why waterproofing is incredibly important.
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