Do I need to remove the plastic shower surround prior to installing ceramic tile on the wall?

Question

Or could I install cement board right on top of it?

Answer 1

Do NOT, under any circumstances, attempt to tile over fiberglass. It expands and contracts with temperature change and this sheer stress will destroy your tile application, no matter how much cement board you install.

Rip out the surround and get to the studs. Apply your greenboard, tape the seams, and-- most importantly-- WATERPROOF your substrate (Greenboard no longer meets ANSI standards as a stand-alone waterproofing).

Waterproofing membranes are available at every tile dealer and typically apply with a roller right on your greenboard. You can thinset directly over top the dried waterproofing.

With no less that 11 feet of water hitting the average shower wall every year, you want that sucker sealed up tight.

Answer 2

GOOD Q.

I've done more bathroom remodels that most other issues but a question I have is at your corners. Are they rounded? squared to the corners of the existing substrate?

That in mind you might consider that the "corners" have to be "shimmed" in some way?

Another issue perhaps more important is knowing where STUDS are, and how the Plastic was installed,,,likely with some kind of adhesive, over drywall???

You can probably check that with an AWL or small drill bit to find studs that are hopefully 16 inches on center. If your not bothered by reducing the SPACE in the shower, then 1/2 inch Concrete backer board,(which is what I use exclusively) plus the mortar/mastik/tile thickenss will likely only reduce elbow room by 1 1/4 inch all around.

If you determine those issues I suggest, certainly you can remodel the shower/tub area without total removal. UMMM that is of course unless the plastic "surround" has things like soap shelves etc.. which can be cut out with a utility knife.

Another major issue is where the concrete board and tile actually meet the shower pan or tub top and its LIP. Not knowing that in your detail, I assume you can figure it out.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

I get the feeling, though I'm no expert that this is not possible, I think they'd stick initially but after a time would start to fall off. Could you maybe plaster over the existing tiles and create a new base to stick the new tiles onto? Though this is what you may be trying to avoid! Good luck Rin

Answer 4

you do need to remove the plastic shower surround before installing ceramic- install cement board rough side out with 11/4" roofing nails put boards in puzzle pattern not side by side stronger this way-next use a fiber mesh tape over all joints-now you are ready to install-enjoy

Answer 5

Yes remove the surround .It will give you the oppurtunity to inspect the shower walls for any potential mold problems and will help to make ease of instillation of the backer board .I might also suggest making 1 or 2 " soap shelves" 12"x12"x4" into the wall area between the studs for added storage areas to replace the ones of the removed tub enclosure .Good Luck hope it helps

Answer 6

It's always best to do demo before you construct. Removing surrounds are easy, most of them are either one or three pieces. Then you should put the cement board down, and lastly, tile.

Answer 7

We recently removed the old plastic surroung around our bathtub - I'd say that you definitely should. Although we subsequently put a newer, heavier duty one up, there was drywall patching to be done. You won't believe what's behind there...

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

YES.............do the job properly...remove it...its all about the preparation you know....boring part of the job but necessary!

Answer 10

tear it down to studs.