sandspider Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 Hi folks Does anyone have any experience of the above? We have a nice tiled shower, but the grout between the tiles keeps going, so it's getting expensive to keep repairing it. We don't want to go plastic shower tray, so we're considering vinyl. The price seems good, and it should last a while (as I understand it - longer than tiles anyway). I'm guessing it will look a bit rubbish though, not like real tiles? How long does it actually last? We struggle to get more than 3 or 4 years from a set of tiles - one starts to bounce then water gets under. Cheers. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 (edited) Hello, What happens to the grout ?? You can get shower wall panels Edited November 21 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 21 Author Report Share Posted November 21 It cracks as the tiles start to flex, and water gets under it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 6 minutes ago, sandspider said: It cracks as the tiles start to flex, and water gets under it... Hello, Look at the Shower panels from the Plastic Hub .co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 21 Author Report Share Posted November 21 Thanks, but I shoild have said - it's for the floor! The walls are fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 It sounds like your floor requires some reinforcement to stop the flexing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 Vinyl will flex with floor but having seen it used extensively in healthcare with many problems I would not use it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 The problem is the base, ie the floor. It should be as solid and firm as possible if being tiled over. I'm assuming it's a timber floor,,,, joists, boards etc. Poorly thought out and installed tiling I'm afraid 🙄 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marsh man Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 14 minutes ago, JKD said: The problem is the base, ie the floor. It should be as solid and firm as possible if being tiled over. I'm assuming it's a timber floor,,,, joists, boards etc. Poorly thought out and installed tiling I'm afraid 🙄 Could even be the tile cement , not sure if they do a powder form of waterproof tile cement , but like you say if the base is not solid then it is only a matter of time before problems arrive MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 3 minutes ago, marsh man said: Could even be the tile cement , not sure if they do a powder form of waterproof tile cement , but like you say if the base is not solid then it is only a matter of time before problems arrive MM Any tiling over a timber and ply floor is usually fitted using flexible tile adhesive. This allows for the slight flexibility in the timber, which is a natural occurrence. Any work similar is all down to the preparation,,,, in this instance the timber and ply[?] floor, and also the possibility of the use of normal tile adhesive, which doesn't flex 😐 And then, like you said,,,, "it's only a matter of time before,,,,,, " 🤦♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 21 Report Share Posted November 21 (edited) Hello, Ah the floor, presume timber floor board, could you not lay some down hard board ( Pinned ) and use vinyl flooring Edited November 22 by oldypigeonpopper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 I laid sheet rubber flooring in our ensuite, over the floorboards. It is the stuff used on hospital floors. It has proven to be very hard wearing and flexes with the floor, without cracking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 Funny how we ALL presumed it was tiles on the walls.............................................................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 1 hour ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: Funny how we ALL presumed it was tiles on the walls.............................................................. ALL except for lickle old me 🙋♂️🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 8 minutes ago, JKD said: ALL except for lickle old me 🙋♂️🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 22 Author Report Share Posted November 22 Thanks folks. Floor is fairly rigid I think - it is timber joists with wood on top, but the chap who did the last tiling put a waterproof layer of fibreglass stuff on top. This stops it leaking, which is good - but it seems that the tile adhesive doesn't stick to it all that well... Does the vinyl stuff stick better? I suppose even if it comes loose from the floor, as long as it's set properly into the wall tiles and sealed, it shouldn't leak still? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 4 hours ago, sandspider said: Thanks folks. Floor is fairly rigid I think - it is timber joists with wood on top, but the chap who did the last tiling put a waterproof layer of fibreglass stuff on top. This stops it leaking, which is good - but it seems that the tile adhesive doesn't stick to it all that well... Does the vinyl stuff stick better? I suppose even if it comes loose from the floor, as long as it's set properly into the wall tiles and sealed, it shouldn't leak still? It is NOT the vinyl that sticks, it is the glue. If your floor flexes it may well still be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 22 Author Report Share Posted November 22 Thanks. I don't think the floor flexes as such, but I'm not sure if the vinyl glue will stick better to the fibreglass stuff than the tile cement stuff did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 If the tiles are moving, they've been laid using the incorrect adhesive, but,,,, the base, however the make up, must be flexing for the tiles to move and the grout to loosen. Vinyl wouldn't show any faults if the base still flexes slightly, but the surface of the fibreglass must be flat and smooth or the vinyl will be susceptible to air bubbles under it. Best to get in touch with a local floor 'specialist', who can visit and actually see the room and offer more specific advice. Also a thing to bear in mind, is that a complete change of flooring materials creates its own issues ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted November 22 Report Share Posted November 22 21 hours ago, oldypigeonpopper said: Hello, Ah the floor, presume timber floor board, could you not lay some down hard board ( Pinned ) and use vinyl flooring Hello, Is this fibreglass stuff a new thing with floors, I have only done the above , Then glue down the Vinyl, and sealing around the Skirting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkey Posted November 24 Report Share Posted November 24 Did you use detra mat under the tiles on a timber floor we use ply over floor boards screwed down every 6” then a layer of detra matting put down with tile adhesive after sealing the ply with suitable sealer for the adhesive then tile on top with a flexible adhesive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 24 Author Report Share Posted November 24 I don't think there was any matting, no... I didn't do it myself, chose someone who I thought knew what he was doing! On 22/11/2024 at 18:59, JKD said: If the tiles are moving, they've been laid using the incorrect adhesive, but,,,, the base, however the make up, must be flexing for the tiles to move and the grout to loosen. Vinyl wouldn't show any faults if the base still flexes slightly, but the surface of the fibreglass must be flat and smooth or the vinyl will be susceptible to air bubbles under it. Best to get in touch with a local floor 'specialist', who can visit and actually see the room and offer more specific advice. Also a thing to bear in mind, is that a complete change of flooring materials creates its own issues ! Thanks, didn't see this for some reason. Will talk to a vinyl flooring specialist next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKD Posted November 24 Report Share Posted November 24 21 minutes ago, sandspider said: I don't think there was any matting, no... I didn't do it myself, chose someone who I thought knew what he was doing! Thanks, didn't see this for some reason. Will talk to a vinyl flooring specialist next week. Wet room flooring is a very specific thing and must be installed to a very high spec,,,, to avoid the exact problems you are experiencing. Fingers crossed it all goes well for you 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandspider Posted November 27 Author Report Share Posted November 27 Thanks! Anyone know anything about set resin floors? Apparently another option, but I assume quite pricey again, though should last longer than tiles... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted November 27 Report Share Posted November 27 1 hour ago, sandspider said: Thanks! Anyone know anything about set resin floors? Apparently another option, but I assume quite pricey again, though should last longer than tiles... Your tiled floor would have survived if it was properly put down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.