Replacing a couple of missing tiles in bathroom

[ceegee]

Hi,
Just found this forum while looking for a solution to my bathroom problems.
looks like a great place for DIY tips - got a full house coming up so thought Id join up. Hello to all DIYers out there!
Bathroom tiles have fallen off (about 4 of them) and a few others next to the fallen ones look a bit loose-in fact there is a pull out shower door over the bath attached to the tiles which looks like it could pull more tiles off without much effort. The whole room is tiled and the loose ones are only where the shower is (above the bath) is. I am also planning to reseal bath and redo grout.
Question is- can I easily replace the missing tiles (I have said tiles intact) and should I take more tiles off which look loose and re-attach them also?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can supply pics if helps also.
Cheers!

 

[big-all]

if the shower has been used with tiles missing you are in for a lot more coming off and maybe lots off damage to the wall
whats the wall in the shower area constructed from and finished with
yes pictures would be nice

 

[mypetearthling]

It could be quite easy to replace the tiles that have fallen, but I would be inclined to find out why they fell off. If there is a problem with the substrate then you may be better off taking the lot down now, rather then have them all fall off later.
If there is no problem with the base, then you may be able to just take the loose ones down and then put them back up. The adhesive you use will depend on the size and weight of your tiles, and the base they're going onto.
Big-all is right though some pics would definitely help.


K

 

[Richard C]

The whole lot will most likely have to come off. What’s behind the tiles? If its plaster board, that’s going to be fecked & will need to be replaced with something more suitable. This is not DIY advice BTW, it’s what I do.

 

[ceegee]

Thanks for your tips folks.
here is pics.
I would take off the shower door (I have to reseal it on anyway) and maybe 3 or 4 of the tiles that are loose around the gap. Then stick them all back on-if its recommended.
Taking the whole wall down is not really an option at the moment. I want to reseal bath/clean grouting and replace missing tiles.

(can only get small pics to load-dunno why?)

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//media.diynot.com/167000_166862_34685_37836066_thumb.jpg

//media.diynot.com/167000_166862_34686_48495197_thumb.jpg

//media.diynot.com/167000_166862_34687_31129157_thumb.jpg

 

[mypetearthling]

What is the substrate there? It's hard to tell from the pics. Also has the shower been in use with the tiles off? From the gaps around the tiles it looks like a lot more are going to come down with little persuasion. Knock lightly on the rest of the tiles (all over, not only the ones that look loose) and see if they sound hollow.


K

Edit: looking again at the pics, usually the adhesive has an imprint on it from the back of the tile, but it doesn't seem to have that here. I'm wondering if the reason for failure might be that the adhesive had been on the wall too lang by the time the tiles got stuck to it. What do the backs of the tiles look like, do they have deep grooves or shallow ones, did they come away clean or was there adhesive on them?

 

[ceegee]

What is the substrate there? It's hard to tell from the pics. Also has the shower been in use with the tiles off? From the gaps around the tiles it looks like a lot more are going to come down with little persuasion. Knock lightly on the rest of the tiles (all over, not only the ones that look loose) and see if they sound hollow.

Dont know what the substrate is-looks like plaster. The shower has been used a little with no water hitting the tiles for a month or so. The wall was tiled 19 years ago btw. I knocked on tiles like you said- there is a few hollow ones though definatley not all -about 2/3 either side of the gap.






K

Edit: looking again at the pics, usually the adhesive has an imprint on it from the back of the tile, but it doesn't seem to have that here. I'm wondering if the reason for failure might be that the adhesive had been on the wall too lang by the time the tiles got stuck to it. What do the backs of the tiles look like, do they have deep grooves or shallow ones, did they come away clean or was there adhesive on them?

The tiles dont have any grooves on them. There is still a bit of plaster (or whatever it is) on back of tiles which I tried to scrape off. I think reason they came away as one was cracked for a while-maybe moisture got it through that one?
Cheers

 

[mypetearthling]

Is there plasterboard behind the plaster?

Just the steam from use of the shower could allow enough water in to be a problem, even if the area hasn't been splashed.

If moisture has been getting in for a while, it'll probably be best for you to take them down to assess the damage now. There's a good chance that if you just stick 'em back up they'll be down again in no time.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.


K

 

[ceegee]

Is there plasterboard behind the plaster?

Just the steam from use of the shower could allow enough water in to be a problem, even if the area hasn't been splashed.

If moisture has been getting in for a while, it'll probably be best for you to take them down to assess the damage now. There's a good chance that if you just stick 'em back up they'll be down again in no time.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.


K

I understand what you're saying about the steam etc. I would like to fix the problem once and for all rather than put em up and they fall down again in a few weeks....
Do you have an idea about how I should take them down? (preferably so I dont break any and can put them back up again?
Thanks for your help btw.
cheers