Is it possible to install tiles on gypsum plaster?

Good morning!!

I had a turnkey house built. Gypsum plaster, which is very smooth, was used as plaster on my house. My question now is, if I want to tile the wall tiles, how do I prepare the wall? The primer is clear, but does the wall need to be roughened, or can it go directly on the smooth gypsum plaster?

Thank you very much in advance.

Hello, there are special tile adhesives for gypsum substrates,

e.g. from PCI. According to the manufacturer, a primer is sufficient, so no roughening is needed. What matters is which product you choose and what the manufacturer recommends for a gypsum substrate. Perhaps you are also considering a suitable good waterproofing, at least in the splash water area, since the gypsum plaster is probably not designed for permanent moisture exposure. PCI offers numerous systems for so-called bonded waterproofing.

Regards

Tiles on smooth gypsum plaster

Hello, it would have clearly been better if the plasterer had known at which spots you wanted tiles, then he could have just scraped off there and the substrate would have been nicely rough. Now it is smooth and you have to roughen the substrate again with quartz sand-containing primers. But no problem, as said, use PCI or equivalent materials and you will find information in the data sheets. In wet areas and corners you should also insert fabric; a lot has changed in this area for tiling.

Regards
Hausbauer1972

Hi,

first, apply a primer and deep primer.
With today’s high-quality branded adhesives, this does not have to be mixed with quartz sand.
What is really important is always that you do not use "cheap stuff" and stick to one manufacturer from the primer through waterproofing, adhesive, and grout to be on the safe side.
The mentioned PCI is already a good start.
After priming (PCI Gisogrund), you can seal the wet areas and the floor against water ingress with liquid waterproofing (PCI-Lastogum) and in the corners with sealing tape (PCI-Pecitape).
Apply adhesive (PCI Flexmörtel) and then put in the tiles...
After 24 hours, grout with PCI Aquafug and when it’s dry, seal the connection joints with PCI Silcofug E.
Done

No guarantee for anything forgotten......

Regards Dirk

What BAUFLEX has already described is the "composite sealing" I mentioned, which I would generously install on the gypsum substrate that I consider critical, to really ensure that the plaster does not suffer any damage. Composite sealings are, in my opinion, an advanced solution because they place the sealing layer as far outward as possible. The sealings according to DIN are weaker in comparison because the moisture is only blocked in the lower layers ("damaged screeds/walls under tiles"). However, composite sealings are not part of the DIN, but they are still used successfully. An example that solutions not compliant with DIN can also be good. Regards