Repairing Plaster Before Tiling Walls

You want the tile adhesive to have something to grab onto.

Repairing plaster before tiling walls.

Wear a mask and googles during this process. Thoroughly vacuum the area and give the wall a once over with a damp sponge or cleaning cloth. Adhesive grout and tile 20kg max weight onto plaster. Sand with a medium grit sandpaper to create a uniform surface that s not too smooth.

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. 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. Plaster is not ideally the best surface especially in a bathroom as moisture and water can get in causing failure. Allow the area to thoroughly dry before beginning tile installation.

Whats the best way to diy fix this wall before tiling. Leave it to dry overnight if you want then tile away. The screw pulls the lath against the plaster s back side while the washer gives the screwhead a wide clamping surface. Once the joint compound is dry usually 24 hours sand the rough spots using drywall sanding sponge or drywall sanding paper.

You could plasterboard over the top but you d make the room and window opening smaller. Don t use paint glue pva wall paper paste only use the primer recommended by the adhesive manufacturer of your chosen tile adhesive. Allow time for the joint compound spackle to dry in accordance with the instructions found on the packaging. If needed apply drywall plaster tape to the wall to fill in larger bumpy areas.

When using a cement adhesive on your tiling projects you have to be careful when tiling direct onto neat plaster. 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. Cross scratch the first coat as it begins to set to allow the second coat to adhere well. Apply the plaster mix to the damaged area apply the mixture with the 10 wallboard knife and spread a 1 4 inch layer over the hole.

A second coat may be required of compound. Plant washers about 8 to 12 inches apart on both sides of the crack.