Bathtub installation -- order of installation (end pony wall, tub, heated floor)?

[jch]

Back from vacation; just returned a whole batch of stone tile that wasn't fit for sale; and back in action.

I've coated the shower surround area with AquaDefence, but it's so dark (dark green) that I don't know what to use to mark my tiling guidelines. Black Sharpie is invisible on this stuff!

What do you people use to mark lines on AquaDefence when you're tiling??

[johnfrwhipple]

Back from vacation; just returned a whole batch of stone tile that wasn't fit for sale; and back in action.

I've coated the shower surround area with AquaDefence, but it's so dark (dark green) that I don't know what to use to mark my tiling guidelines. Black Sharpie is invisible on this stuff!

What do you people use to mark lines on AquaDefence when you're tiling??

Give it a scratch coat of thin-set first. This will make life easier for you. The dark colour is my only beef with the product.

JW

JW

[jch]

Floor is now done and grouted.
Stone backsplash wall is now done and grouted.

Considering using the leftover stone (0.6 x 6" stone mosaic) as a baseboard strip (a 2" high strip around the edge of the room).

Problem is that I've already mudded (with non-setting mud) the walls. I'm concerned that thinset will dissolve the mud and the tiles will fall off.

What can I do to provide a solid base for this thin strip of tiles along the floor?
- Prime the walls first?
- Paint on a narrow band of AquaDefence?
- Something else??

Surely this is a common problem...

[johnfrwhipple]

Hi John.

Lets see some progress pictures!

If you have drywall compound on the walls already you will not get any thin-set to bite to it.

I have been experimenting with different primers and found a good one from Mapei called Prim-Grip. I would first give the drywall a primer coat with a latex or oil based dry wall primer (paint kind) - Zissner 123 or Zissner Cover Coat my favourites. For a baseboard detail you would most likely do alright with either one but if you want an even better bond pick up a gallon of the Prim-Grip.

The Prim-Grip has sand or something in it so stir it very well. This leaves a rough texture on the wall that thinset bites to very well.

JW

[jch]

I agree--Zinsser 1-2-3 is my favourite primer too. I only need about 4 square feet covered and Prim-Grip's smallest can is 1 gallon so I'm going to see whether the 1-2-3 will work instead.

In terms of updates, here we go...

Here's the finished floor:


Here's the finished stone backsplash wall:


Here's the opening for the toilet flange -- a tricky cut on the saw. Even though I knew the floor would end up thick, it was shocking to actually see how thick it was in person: 3/4" T&G exterior grade plywood + 1/2" SLC (encapsulating heating wire and plastic lath) + Ditra + 3/8" Porcelain tile:


I used a laser to keep things straight and square. The LASH clips were fine when working off a wet edge, but horrible when trying to continue the next day (I did all the field tiles first, just in case it got misaligned a bit. After 2 days, I went back and did all the edge piece cuts.) With practice, lippage became a non-issue.

[jch]

Getting closer.... Shower glass is in.



Still to do:
- final plumbing hookup
- stone baseboard
- mirror
- frosted glass bypass doors (and shelves) in closet
- seal grout on floor and walls (any recommendations??)

[johnfrwhipple]

Looks like a gem John. Love the vanity

[jch]

Looks like a gem John. Love the vanity

Magick Woods Sonata, from Home Cheapo. Despite that, I like it too