Am I using the right grout

[tp123]

Advice from Topps tiles

I have 100x100 ceramic wall tiles and a small area of feature mosaic inside the shower area of a shower bath which has a power shower, (wall with shower head on is plaster boarded and skimmed (shouldn't get much water on it as its facing you when showering) side wall is plaster on stone other side is glass screen, wall behind is hardie tilebacker board.
I have been advised to use bal single part flexible adhesive for fixing the tiles to the above walls,

now here's my problem, the grout they advised me to use is bal microflex microban which says on the front of the bag suitable for power showers/swimming pools, on the back it says not suitable for areas requiring waterproof grouting,

I'm confused, does a power shower area not require waterproof grouting ?

also should I be thinking about tanking the entire area and if so with what

 

[ColJack]

there's water proof, and water resistant..
ok for getting splashed but they want to be clear it's not for grouting the tiles IN the pool..
...
...
probably..

I'm a sparky so don't take my word for it...

 

[Richard C]

Advice from Topps tiles

There are some knowledgeable guys there but I’d be very careful with that one!

the shower area of a shower bath which has a power shower, (wall with shower head on is plaster boarded and skimmed (shouldn't get much water on it as its facing you when showering)

Not good; only ever use Moisture Resistant plasterboard in bathrooms & never in wet areas unless you tank it. I only use waterproof tile backer board in wet areas, if it’s plasterboard of any description you should tank it or it won’t last.

wall behind is hardie tilebacker board.

That’s fine.

I have been advised to use bal single part flexible adhesive for fixing the tiles to the above walls,

I generally use BAL White Star or Rapiset Flexible depending on the size/weight of the tiles but I always tile onto a waterproof backer board or conventional brick/plaster. They may have advised single part because of the PB but I still wouldn’t trust it.

now here's my problem, the grout they advised me to use is bal microflex microban which says on the front of the bag suitable for power showers/swimming pools, on the back it says not suitable for areas requiring waterproof grouting,

I'm confused, does a power shower area not require waterproof grouting ?

Most waterproof adhesive & grouts (except 2 part epoxy) are only waterproof to the extent they won’t degrade when wet but they will still absorb water; Microflex falls into this category. That’s why it’s so very important that the substrate to be tiled is either waterproof, i.e. it wont disintegrate when wet, or is tanked to prevent the water getting at it. Under these circumstances, I use Microflex without any problems.

also should I be thinking about tanking the entire area and if so with what

Yes, with this;
http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/products/wp1-coating

 

[tp123]

Thanks Richard C for such a comprehensive answer, much appreciated, answers all my questions.
regards.
TP