Repairing Plaster Before Tiling Walls

Plaster is not ideally the best surface especially in a bathroom as moisture and water can get in causing failure.

Repairing plaster before tiling walls. New plaster work should be fully dried before tiling work is commenced this drying time varies upon temperatures but can take up to 4 weeks before fully cured. When using a cement adhesive on your tiling projects you have to be careful when tiling direct onto neat plaster. Allow time for the joint compound spackle to dry in accordance with the instructions found on the packaging. Sand with a medium grit sandpaper to create a uniform surface that s not too smooth.

A second coat may be required of compound. If needed apply drywall plaster tape to the wall to fill in larger bumpy areas. Whats the best way to diy fix this wall before tiling. Just give the area a clean down to remove any dust etc then spread an even layer of tile adhesive over the damaged area with a trowel.

The screw pulls the lath against the plaster s back side while the washer gives the screwhead a wide clamping surface. Gypsum plaster based products and cement products do not get on with each other and can cause. You could plasterboard over the top but you d make the room and window opening smaller. So long as there is no loose material or damp patches then the wall should be able to take adhesive or plaster.

Wear a mask and googles during this process. Cross scratch the first coat as it begins to set to allow the second coat to adhere well. You want the tile adhesive to have something to grab onto. Plant washers about 8 to 12 inches apart on both sides of the crack.

Slip a 2 inch plastic washer over a 1 5 8 inch drywall screw and drive it into the lath through one of the adhesive filled holes. Adhesive grout and tile 20kg max weight onto plaster. Thoroughly vacuum the area and give the wall a once over with a damp sponge or cleaning cloth. Also now it s been plastered you will be restricting yourself to a tile with a max weight of about 16 kg m2.

Allow the area to thoroughly dry before beginning tile installation. Don t use paint glue pva wall paper paste only use the primer recommended by the adhesive manufacturer of your chosen tile adhesive.