How to prepare a wall for tiling?

DIYHaveaCrack

I'm retiling a kitchen splashback and have successfully removed the old tiles. The plasterboard is in pretty good condition with the attached photo being typical (torn paper and a bit of remaining adhesive). I have searched but can't seem to find a straight answer to the question of what do I need to do to this area now to get a nice smooth surface ready for the new tiles? Sanding? Some kind of primer? Your guidance would be appreciated.

MitchellMc

Hi @DIYHaveaCrack,

You don’t need a perfectly smooth surface to tile over, as tiles are concerned with flatness rather than cosmetic finish. Small tears in the plasterboard paper and remnants of old adhesive aren’t an issue, and sanding or trying to make the wall paint-ready isn’t necessary. The real problems to watch for are undulations, high spots, or areas where the plasterboard itself has pulled away or become soft. Simply cut away any loose or flapping paper, scrape off as much of the raised adhesive as possible, and make sure the wall is firm and flat overall. You can tile directly over the surface in this condition, but it's a good idea to prime the plasterboard first to improve adhesion of the tile adhesive.

Here's a helpful guide: How to tile a wall.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell