Can taps be fixed onto gib walls without tiles?

casswill, Jul 5, 5:39am
Planning on installing a freestanding bath. Is it necessary to have tiles behind the mixer and taps or can they be fixed straight onto aqua line gib? TIA.

sooby, Jul 5, 5:40pm
How big is the intended gap between freestanding bath & wall? I would think if 100mm and up there would be little chance of splash back, so tiles not required.

However, if you are getting a building consent it would be best to ask a building inspector / building consent officer as they have final say, if you want a CCC that is!

lythande1, Jul 5, 6:34pm
Of course, taps can be attached to anything.

happychappy50, Jul 5, 6:56pm
plenty of taps are installed directly on to gib

annies3, Jul 5, 11:47pm
There needs to be solid timber behind the gib so the taps are attached to the timber through the gib, ours has tiles along the back edge of the bath up to the tap from the bath, none where the tap and mixer is attached, all signed off by building inspector.

happychappy50, Jul 6, 3:45am
The taps are held by the housing which is screwed/nailed onto a stud or noggin depending on original installation

krames, Jul 6, 4:11am
wouldnt be too keen on just gib as a bath lining

stevo2, Jul 6, 7:05am
Everything we have been building lately has specified tiles or similar impervious lining behind the bath and vanity to a minimum of 150mm high.
This may be a council enforced directive or it may be in "E2" I am not sure.

sooby, Jul 6, 8:01am
Hey krames & steveo2, Think OP was thinking of a freestanding bath set back from the wall, so gib shouldn't actually be in contact with water splash so impervious surface like tiles not needed as per NZBC clause E3.

tegretol, Jul 6, 5:05pm
Don't use gib - line the area with something like that ally faced white panel (can't remember it's name) and use the proper jointing strips. Cheaper than beggering with tiles and if applied properly never leaks and meets code.

sooby, Jul 6, 6:00pm
Do you mean Seratone?

tegretol, Oct 23, 1:55pm
Well, that would do but a far superior product is https://www.ibs.co.nz/product/ibs-showerline/