Retiling a bathroom properly means taking the old tiles off, repairing the wall underneath, waterproofing the areas that get wet, then setting out and fixing the new tiles and grouting them. The finish you see depends almost entirely on the preparation you do not see. Tiling straight over old tiles can work on a sound, dry wall away from the shower, but in most bathrooms stripping back gives a flatter, longer lasting result. Here is how the job runs and what to decide before it starts.
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Why people retile
The reasons tend to fall into two groups. Looks: dated colours, a pattern that no longer suits, or a new suite that needs a matching finish. Condition: tiles that sound hollow when tapped, grout that has failed and let water through, cracked tiles that cannot be matched, or mould that keeps returning because moisture is getting behind the surface. If it is only a few damaged tiles, replacing them individually may be enough; our guide to replacing cracked bathroom tiles explains when that works.
Stripping off or tiling over
Tiling over saves the mess of removal but has real limits. The existing tiles must be firmly stuck everywhere, the wall must be flat, and the combined weight must be within what the wall and adhesive can carry. The wall also gets thicker, so trims around the bath, window reveals and shower valves may no longer sit right. In a shower zone, sealing a new layer over an old one that may already have water behind it just hides the problem.
Stripping back shows you what the wall is really like. In older houses that often means patches of blown plaster, and sometimes old timber or soft board that should never have been tiled in a wet area.
Preparing the walls
Once the tiles are off, loose plaster is cut back and made good. In the shower and around the bath, walls are often boarded with a water resistant tile backer, and the wet zone is tanked with a waterproof membrane, with tape at joints and corners. This is the layer that actually keeps water out of the structure; tiles and grout on their own are not waterproof.
Setting out and fixing
A good tiler plans the layout before fixing a single tile, so cut pieces fall in sensible places rather than thin slivers at a corner or above the bath. Large format tiles need a very flat wall and full adhesive coverage; small mosaics are more forgiving but take longer to grout. Floor tiles need a rigid, flat base, which on suspended timber floors usually means overboarding first. Our bathroom flooring guide covers the floor side.
Grouting and sealing
After the adhesive has cured, joints are grouted and cleaned off. Where tiles meet the bath, tray or basin, silicone is used rather than grout, because those joints move. Choosing a grout colour that hides everyday marks and a mould resistant silicone makes the finish easier to live with.
Timing and living with it
Retiling is done in stages with curing time between, so it is spread over more than one day even for a small room. If the shower is inside the area being retiled, it is out of use until the grout and silicone have cured. Our guide to living in the house during a fit has practical tips.
Retile alone, or with a refit?
If the suite is newer than the tiles and in good order, retiling on its own makes sense. If the bath, basin and toilet are the same age as the tiles, taking everything out once and doing it together usually gives a better finish and less disruption overall. The refit versus refresh guide helps you weigh it up.
Getting your bathroom retiled
Tiling is done by our own tilers as part of our bathroom tiling service, and the work carries our written workmanship guarantee. Ask us to look at your walls or call 01782 901390 for a fixed quote.
Common questions
Can you tile over existing bathroom tiles?
Sometimes, if the old tiles are firmly bonded, flat and the wall can take the extra weight. It is rarely a good idea in a shower area, and it makes the wall thicker, which can upset edges around baths, windows and fittings. Stripping back is usually the safer option.
How long does retiling a bathroom take?
It depends on the area and the state of the walls once the old tiles are off. Adhesive and grout need time to cure between stages, so even a small room is spread over more than one day.
Do I need to take the bath and toilet out to retile?
Not always. Tiles can often be cut neatly around a bath and toilet that are staying. Removing fittings gives a cleaner finish behind them, which is why retiling is often combined with a new suite.
Should I retile or use wall panels?
Both work. Tiles offer more choice and a traditional finish; panels are quicker with fewer joints. Our tiles or wall panels guide compares them.