Expect to wait up to 2 – 4 weeks before you can begin to tile.
You’ve planned out your designs, picked your appliances and had your walls plastered and prepared for your new bathroom or kitchen, but how long should you wait before tiling new plaster?
As a general rule of thumb, a newly plastered wall should be left at least 28 days before any tiling should begin.
How long does it take skim plaster to dry before tiling?
A skim coat on plasterboard will need less time to dry, and you may be able to tile around the 14 day mark.
A skim plaster coat alone will be thinner and therefore will require less drying time.
If you have had your walls fully replastered with several layers, your walls will understandably take longer to dry and you can expect to wait around 6 weeks before your tiling can begin.
How will I know that my plaster is dry?
Your plasterer will be able to advise you on how long to leave your plaster before tiling, but there are some signs you can look out for to help you decide when your plaster is dry.
As plaster dries it will change colour, moving from a brown appearance to more of a pink. Once it’s fully dry, you should also ensure that there is no dust before your tiling job begins.
You can speed up the drying process by maintaining an ambient temperature. Increase the airflow by cracking open a window or two, and ensure humidity is kept to a minimum by considering using a dehumidifier in the room.
Be careful about using too much heat. It may be tempting to crank up the temperature and turn up your radiators, but plaster that dries too fast will be at risk of large cracks.
Can you tile onto damp plaster?
In short, no. It is not recommended to tile onto damp plaster.
Plaster should be allowed to air dry fully before any tiling commences, around 4 weeks is the usual amount of time you will need to wait.
If tiling is attempted on damp plaster, it is likely that the tiles will not adhere correctly to the wall surface and your tiles may slip and move over time. The plaster will be unable to dry out properly without access to airflow, and may result in damp and mould under and around the tiles.
Be sure to factor in drying time when planning your project.
If you’d like to read more about tiling, take a look at our guide about hiring local tilers or our cost guide about how much tilers cost.
Get your free plastering and tiling quotes today.