Prep for redoing shower/tub enclosure?

Question

Our house currently has a really gross shower enclosure that is peeling off the wall, as well as an old junky tub that wasn't even designed to be used with a shower. We are in the process of redoing the entire bathroom and will mostly likely have to rip out the old plaster and lathe walls and put up new drywall.
My question is what type of drywall should we use for the bathroom in general and behind the tub/shower area specifically. Also, do we have to line/treat/prep that drywall behind the tub area at all before putting the new tub in? Everything behind the tub area will definitely have to be redone from scratch anyway as it is very leaky and damp right now and probably has mold and other gross stuff behind the shower insert.

We are going to be using a kit with a rigid shower insert that comes in several pieces but snaps together and then snaps to the tub.

Also, any suggestions for getting rid of the mold? I am pretty certain there is a lot of gross things growing behind the stuff that is in place now. Would just spraying with a bleach/water solution work, or is there something available that works better?

Answer 1

It all depends on the type of shower tub unit you decide to do. If your going to use a new tub shower surround unit then these install directly to the studs with no drywall behind and nothing extra needs to be done except redoing the valve and shower line and possibly a new drain assembly. If you are going to use tile, then after the tub is installed you would use green board drywall to hang the room and tile over the green board. It's moisture resistant. No extra prep is necessary behind the board. Make sure you kill any mold before hanging new drywall. Also, purchase you sink in advance and move your supply lines and drain to accommodate the new unit. Any outlet must be a GFI. Older toilets did not necessarily have a uniform distance from the finished wall. Make sure the toilet drain is 12 and 1/2 inches on center from the back wall. Think about your lighting as well. Now is the time to install a wet area can light above the shower. Not all exhaust fans are created equal. You will want to insure the cfm rating is correct for the size of your room and run any extra wires to the switch for things like night light, heat, light, fan. I like to center the fan on both the shower unit and the toilet. Also think about your vanity lighting. You can run a wire out of the wall for a lighted medicine cabinet or install a can above the unit. Good luck. It's a difficult project if you've never done one but very satisfying if done properly.

Answer 2

I've done more bathrooms than anything else in my time a,d no matter what, the first issue is to get rid of the mold, and no bleach will not strictly do the job. Certainly there are effective substances for accomplishing what you want.

No matter what the enclosure is to be I use concrete backer board exclusively, Not Green Board, though that works for areas outside of the tub shower area. If the area behind the surround is sealed well there is no need for other prep strictly.

I'll assume that the shower is in the tub area, and as long as everything has been stripped down, add new plumbing.

If adding a new tub make sure the surround is a type that comes down over the raised lip of the tub, then caulk with silicone.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

if you're using a kit you not need any sheet rock because those kits when there put together they flush out with the existing wall but I'm sure you check on that before you do any thing and if you need sheet rock do not use it use hardy tile backer boards its for wet area and thats what you need it's the thickness as the sheet rock and for mold all you need is bleach and water in a spary bottel spray the area and let dry before you cover good luck lots of work ahed of you

Answer 4

We just finished our bathroom remodel 2 weeks ago. My best advice for the tub and surround is to make sure the tub is level.It makes the whole process of getting the surround on right sooo much easier.