How to patch a hole in bathroom wall?

[renie]

Hi team

My builder had to break a new tile to swap the mixer and spout position. When he patched it up (not waterproofed yet), it looks like this. Is this right? Not sure if he used a new plasterboard to cover the hole. Please advise..  

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @renie,

Thank you for your question.

If you gently poke your finger through the hole around the plumbing, does the sheet feel about 6-9mm thick? If you poke the centre of the patch, does it feel solid?

It looks like they've done the correct thing and attached a new piece of fibre cement sheeting then taped and plastered the joins. This would obviously need to be waterproofed over, but it looks like it has been done correctly up to this point.

I think it's important to note that the job is not yet finished. Understandably, looking at that patch you might be concerned, but it is one step in the process towards a finished product.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their thoughts and opinions.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @renie 

When we dont work with something and google stuff on how to I often think its like going to "doctor google" Itr is way to easy to end up super concerned over a job when we dont havethe knowledge bas to start with.

With your instance I would hit up teh builder and ask, Most builders I know dont mind explaining what they have done and even how they have done it We all like acknowledgement of a job so being interested tends to get more information. They will be able to give reasonings and you can even tell him your worries "mate at work said so and so" but you dont believe it type deal. 

I have only ever patched my wall in my laundry (whoops just reminded me I better do the washing!) and I "presume" I have done it right but fully admit that I watched youtube and aksed questions like you.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @renie 

It appears to me as being sufficiently patched, ready to be waterproofed and tiled. Once tiles the opening for the tap fittings need to be silicone in case of any return water ingress.

Nailbag

[renie]

Thanks very much @JacobZ , @Dave-1 @and @Nailbag ! Appreciate your input. The builder has also let me know that he has used plasterboard to patch the hole and has now been waterproofed. We had previous issues of rework with this builder and this was one of them that required the new tile to be broken so I’m extra vigilant especially with anything to do with water leakage. I’m glad that all is well. Thanks once again! ☺️

[renie]

Hi @JacobZ , @Nailbag and @Dave-1 , I just realised that there’s a small chip in the wall tile. It’s very sad to see this as the tiler did such a good job originally to tile the bathroom. May I know how this chip can be fixed without replacing the entire tile? Thanks

 

[Nailbag]

Hi @renie 

If this was the fault of the tiler, then to be honest I would ask him to replace it. If it's unknown then speak to the builder as its not acceptable on a new build/reno.

Nailbag

[renie]

Not the fault of the tiler. The spout and mixer had to be swapped around as builder assumed that vanity will be leaning against the wall when we wanted it to be centered so we had the work around.

Unfortunately, to swap them around, the plumber had to break the tile and they chipped the next tile as a result. And to make matters worse, the vanity is now installed which presses against that chipped tile. 

Builder is so far behind schedule and he doesn’t QC the work so now we’re hoping for a solution that will still look good and match tile colour and style (lappato) without removing the vanity and tile. 

. 😭 very sad as the tiles were all looking great and the chip would be near the tap which we can’t hide properly. 

[renie]

@Nailbag tagging in case you don’t receive the message.

[Nailbag]

Hi @renie 

Thats very disappointing. Have been in a similar situation where the plumber actually cracked the stone benchtop. But as he was well gone before I noticed it was his word against mine.

I've used this product before for similar small repairs and have been very happy with the results. It comes down to matching the colour of course and spending the time to apply less as more and build it up. Hope it works for you.

Nailbag