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How to fix shower tiles that are coming off?

Some shower tiles have come unstuck and I want to reattach them. They are attached directly on a concrete wall. i think I need to clean the wall, make sure it's dry, stick the tiles back on, grout?, and put some.sealant on. Does that's sound right and what are product suggestions? Thanks JK2

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iinsaayn

I have the exact problem. I'm afraid to touch some of the edge tiles in case they fall off! Your thoughts seem accurate, but I'm interested in the suggestions too. I'm wondering if there needs to be waterproof paint to the concrete too?

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @JK2. It's a pleasure to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about re-attaching tiles.

It sounds like you're on the right track. To reattach the tiles, start by carefully cleaning both the back of the tiles and the concrete wall to remove any dust, debris, or old adhesive. Make sure the wall is completely dry before you start. Once clean and dry, you can apply a tile adhesive to the back of the tiles using a notched trowel. Press the tiles firmly back into place on the wall. Be sure to leave small gaps between each tile for grouting. Since you are doing this one tiles, you should check the tiles around it to see if they are well adhered. If not it would be worth removing them and doing them at the same time.

Once the adhesive has set (usually 24 hours), you can apply grout in the gaps between the tiles. After the grout has dried, use a damp sponge to clean off any excess grout from the surface of the tiles. Finally, to seal the tiles, apply a grout sealer to prevent moisture from seeping in.

One thing to keep in mind is that if the tiles are near a tub or shower, you might be dealing with a "wet zone." In such areas, it’s important to ensure the wall behind the tiles is properly waterproofed. If you're not sure whether waterproofing is required, it may be worth consulting a professional. To do it correctly, you’d likely need to remove all the tiles and apply a waterproofing membrane before reattaching the tiles, as this ensures the long-term durability and prevents moisture-related issues.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

Hi @iinsaayn,

As I touched on above, if your tiles are in what's considered as a wet zone, they should have a waterproofing membrane behind them. Wet zone only extend a certain distance from baths and showers. Installing a waterproofing membrane where there is none is a fairly extensive job, so it might be worth enlisting the services of a professional. However, if there are loose tiles, then sticking them back on and re-grouting is going to be no worse than the current situation.

Mitchell

JK2

That's great . Thanks Mitchell.

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