Getting to leaking pipes in the bathroom is a destructive process, but here’s how you can patch the tiles and return the wall to its original condition.
WATCH: DIY bathroom jobs you can do yourself
Gather your supplies
• Sand & Cement mix
• Tiles to match existing
• Tile adhesive
You’ll also need
Drop sheets; masking tape; hammer; cold chisel; drill; safety goggles; gloves; BondCrete; paintbrush; scraper; large broad knife; waterproofing membrane; tile cutter; diamond-tipped hole saw to suit (we used 38mm); notched adhesive spreader; tile wedges; grout; silicone
Here’s how
Step 1
Protect the bath with drop sheets. Remove tapware and cover tap spindles with tape.
Step 2
Wearing safety goggles and gloves, use a hammer and cold chisel to knock out broken tiles. Be careful near unbroken areas. Clean off remaining tile glue so the wall is smooth.
Step 3
Mix 4 parts water to 1 part BondCrete. Paint onto bare wall and let dry. Mix another solution, now 1 part water to 4 parts BondCrete, and apply a layer to the same area.
Step 4
Mix Sand & Cement mix with water to make cement render. Make the mix moist but not runny. While BondCrete on the wall is still ‘tacky’, apply cement render using a scraper. Render should sit out from the wall surface. Leave for 30 minutes or so until it starts to set. Using a large, broad knife, run along the existing wall and onto the new render, scraping off excess so the render is flush with the wall. Leave for 24 hours.
Step 5
Apply waterproofing membrane to new render following pack instructions.
Step 6
Using tile cutter, cut tiles to fit. Mark locations of tapware on tile. Using diamond tipped hole saw, drill holes.
Step 7
Mix tile adhesive. Make sure your adhesive is compatible with a waterproof membrane. Using notched adhesive spreader, butter back of tile with adhesive. Press tile into position so it aligns with adjacent tiles. Hold in position using tile wedges.
Step 8
Grout joins between tiles only (do not grout corners or the join between tiles and bath). Wipe off excess using a clean, damp sponge and let dry. Polish tiles with a dry cloth.
Step 9
Apply tape along both edges of the wall corner and at the junction of tiles and bath. Cut nozzle of silicone at a 45° angle, slightly wider than joint to be filled. Slowly run silicone down the joint, making sure it is completely filled. Using a finger dipped in soapy water, smooth surface of silicone to edges of the tape. Carefully remove the tape and leave silicone to cure. Replace tapware.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
