AKW Wetroom disaster - TilersForums.com

[Yorkshire steve]

We had our bathroom completely re-done last November. We hadn’t even started to use the shower before the grout (Mapei) had started to crack in the shower area. The tiles in the dry area have also cracked and move now.
This is an AKW tough form (fitted straight into the joists with extra noggins) with a Norcros wetseal tanking kit tape and liquid. The tray was 60 grit sanded to give a key and tanking liquid painted all across the tray and 1m up the wall and 500mm onto the plywood dry area.
Here’s the first problem. AKW said you only paint the taped areas as it won’t stick to the tray. Norcros said paint everywhere .
12mm ply was fastened correctly over the floorboards (not glued though) and tile primer used before tiling with a ultra pro flex rapidset adhesive.
The tiler can’t understand why it’s done it and neither can the Mapei rep when he came to look. He just said we must have movement.
The whole floor has to be removed and redone. The hard part is who is to blame? The tiler has offered to re-tile it for free if I buy the tiles(porcelain) etc. The work on the walls is great.
Sorry for the long post.

 

[hmtiling]

I've never tiled yo a composite former without a membrane down. It this not the specification for these?

 

[Yorkshire steve]

I've never tiled yo a composite former without a membrane down. It this not the specification for these?

Not according to AKW.

 

[Tony_C]

Can you lift the tiles that move? that will give you a better idea of what is going on.

Their own installation video shows a membrane being used over the tray and complete floor, skip to 4 minutes How to install a wetroom on a timber floor - AKW TuffForm & FormSafe - https://youtu.be/n2EPzSH6AzY

And page 7 of their installation guide https://www.akw-ltd.co.uk/wp-conten...003-Tuff-Form-2-Installation-Instructions.pdf

 

[Dumbo]

To be honest I've done akw formers in the past and I use their membrane.

 

[Yorkshire steve]

Here’s lies part of the problem. My local bathroom centre where we bought all the equipment from gave him this with the tray. I asked why this was different and they said this is the new way of doing it. Even AKW said it was ok but only to seal the joints.



tiler

 

[Dumbo]

Here’s lies part of the problem. My local bathroom centre where we bought all the equipment from gave him this with the tray. I asked why this was different and they said this is the new way of doing it. Even AKW said it was ok but only to seal the joints.



tiler View attachment 107315

Here is your problem if any body says any thing to you that is different from their fixing instructions you need to get it in writing I've had manufacturers go back on what they have told me when I ask them to send me a written method statement.

 

[Yorkshire steve]

Here is your problem if any body says any thing to you that is different from their fixing instructions you need to get it in writing I've had manufacturers go back on what they have told me when I ask them to send me a written method statement.

Also I still can’t understand why the tiles have not stuck to the Ply.

 

[Dumbo]

Ply is rubbish to tile to . It's not dimensionally stable and also chemicals used in the production of ply can also affect the bond strength of the adhesive to it

 

[One Day]

Also I still can’t understand why the tiles have not stuck to the Ply.

Most if not all ply now is rubbish. Very thin veneers of hardwood which delaminate with the water in the tile adhesive as it tries to bond, and often contaminated with agents to prevent sheets sticking together.