Tiled Showers

Wow it sure has been a few weeks of looking at failing tiled showers.

The reason exactly to get a referred or reputable tiler. There are a few out there undercutting prices dramaticly at the moment so make sure you get a detailed itemised quote. Most of us are pretty much the same cost wise and being that everything is square meters there are no hidden costs.

So as a guide the costs you will be looking at are

• Floor tiling                      $65/m2
• Wall tiling                       $75/m2
• Waterproofing               $65/m2
• Tile trims supply & fit  $30/length
• Shower screeds and laying the tiled shower base can vary up to $400/m2
• Tile and Slate underlay for over timber floors, supply and fit       $50/m2

Ok so this is what you should be seeing. If you are looking at a quote of $40/m to lay tiles I would seriously be wondering about the quality of adhesive being used or why are they so cheap. Maybe one answer is they are just not very good.

Sorry about the babble but I am seeing to much of this and the only one getting substandard work is you and guess what, they just walk away and leave you with the problem.

Back to the showers. Lets start upstairs as it will be timber floor. Make sure floor is to covered with tile underlay ( a hardies compressed cement sheet product ).  I recommend not to go the level entry style shower but use a pre-formed base like a NEWLINE. Complete bathroom must be Waterproofed by a registered applicator with a dedicated undertile waterproofing system. Good ones are

• Ardex Superflex
• Davco K10
• Construction Chemicals Hydrathane

Ground floor will be similar but most likley to be a concrete screeded level entry shower base. Not the greatest but done correctly will work just fine. The secret is that the sloping base under the tiles must protrude 50-100mm out further than where the shower door will be positioned therefore no possibility of water tracking back under your bathroom floor. The other option is to fit hobs that form a step around your shower for the screen to sit on and contain the water. I still recommend to waterproof the complete room although not regulation as yet but it will be as we move toward the Australian standard.

Checklist

• 2 quotes and compare. Too good to be true is probably right
• Reaserch your tiler
• Ask about the products they use and if a registered waterproofing applicator
• What style of shower you want

All the best

We Recommend Western Bay Tiling for a professional quality finish

www.westernbaytiling.co.nz