Bathroom with masonary walls.

I am renovating an upstairs bathroom with solid brick walls. We are tiling to the ceiling and have removed the old tiles from the wall which were only half way up. When removing the tiles instead of them coming off easily they rippped off the screed as well right back to the brick wall. We want the cheapest option and have thought that we would reline the masonary wall with villa board. is using battons my only option to attach the villa board or is rescreeding just as cheap.

Dear Tuna,

Have you got enough room within the Shower Recess to even contemplate using battens and villaboard? Battens and villaboard on cavity brick are probably what you'd do if you had room to burn, and didn't want to have to remove the existing tiles. Since you've already removed them, just go for the re-screed, because I think you'll find that the Tiler will take it in his stride. Only thing is:

1) What sort of condition is the existing tap combination in? Is it wrapped in duct-tape, or is it going green? If no, this might be the best time to get the Plumber to replace it?

2) You are going to Waterproof the whole recess aren't you?.. Wouldn't be very nice to renovate the thing on the cheap, and then sell it off to some poor sucker. What goes round comes round...

Anyway, see how you go, and just post any more questions .

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

DON"T DO IT
i just finished renovating my bathroom ( see thread small bathroom reno )

And was in the same position as you ,i thought about the villa board as a easy option .but there is so many problems that can arise from doing this so i got a plasterer to do the job for $500 and it was the best spent $500 of the whole reno.

i could go on and on about why you should not do this but IMO just get a plasterer in to re-grey coat it the tiler will love you for it .
Regards
Rob

Thanks for the tips. Yes i have someone who will waterproof it for me. I glad to here that rescreeding it might not be as expensive as first thought and a whole lot less stuffing around. Plumber is at the house at the moment changing original taps over to mixers. Now i just have to find a plasterer.