Tiling over bonding?

Question

Repaired bathroom walls using bonding as removing tiles pulled plaster off. Had quotes from plasterers for skimming but it’s just way out of budget as we are getting someone in to do the tiling. Will tilers tile over a bonding coat?

Daniel · Accepted Answer

It's too porous to tile straight onto. Shoukd be a coat of skim really on top of it, or at least a suitable primer

Micheal · Answer

Yes tiling over bonding is fine as long as it flat enough

James · Answer

Yes you can but I would liquid waterproof the bonding first plus’s the bonding might be a little rough to tile over so a tricky one to give you a 100% answer without seeing it thanks

Duncan · Answer

Yes you can tile straight onto a bonded wall. (as long it's flat) 
I would also add a coat of PVA over it as well. 
If you do have the wall skimmed with plaster, then it's an absolute must to PVA over the skimmed wall. Or the tile adhesive won't stick to a skimmed wall.

Duncan · Answer

As long as U prime the bonding coat then sure U can tile on bonding

Rich · Answer

If quite a large area has come away, and that's where you'll want the new tiles again.. use a tile backer board, it saves on plastering and its best for tiles and gives waterproofing if intalled correctly with tanking.. Get some quotes.

Tilers are generally advised not to tile directly onto bonding plaster, especially in a wet area like a bathroom.

Bonding plaster is very porous (absorbent) and not considered strong enough to reliably hold the weight of tiles, even with a primer.

The manufacturer of one common bonding coat explicitly advises against tiling directly onto it.

The recommended solution, if a full skim is too much, would be to skim over the bonding coat with a finishing plaster (which is a thinner, cheaper coat) or to use a suitable tile backer board over the bonded area. If you must tile over it, a good tiler would insist on using a specialised tile primer/SBR to control suction and improve adhesion, but even this is a riskier method.

Christian · Answer

Yes you can tile onto bonding however you need to prime it first with an acrylic primer ( not a PVA) so that the adhesive adheres correctly . They and get the wall as flat as possible so the tiler has a good chance of getting your tiles flat when fixing them.

Antony · Answer

Yeah nothing wrong with tiling over bonding,
Done it many times

Warren · Answer

Hi, yes you can definitely tile over bonding. Just make sure the surface is level and applied adhesive evenly.

Asan · Answer

1. Type of bonding coat:

Make sure you used a suitable bonding/patching compound (like a ready-mix plaster or a tile-back bonding coat) that’s compatible with tiling.

It should be fully cured and dry before tiling.

2. Surface preparation:

The surface should be firm, level, and free from dust, grease, or loose particles.

If the bonding coat is smooth and shiny, lightly scratch or sand it to provide a key for the adhesive.

3. Adhesive choice:

Use a good-quality flexible tile adhesive (thin-set mortar) suitable for bathrooms and bonding over patched walls.

Flexible adhesives are better if the substrate isn’t perfect and can handle minor movement.

4. Check with your tiler:

Many tilers will tile directly over a properly cured bonding coat.

Some may prefer a skim coat or mesh reinforcement if the patched area is large or uneven.

Ask your tiler — sometimes they will apply a thin layer of adhesive first to “prime” the bonding coat.

5. Waterproofing:

For wet areas (showers, baths), ensure that waterproofing measures are followed:

Waterproof membrane or liquid waterproofing over patched areas before tiling

Proper sealing of edges and corners

Tiling over bonding?

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