We have wall board behind the tub and we want to replace it with tile. How do we install tile behind the tub?

Question

I was bathing my child in our rented home and I noticed that a mushroom was growing out of the wallboard!! It was popping out from under the tape that attached the wallboard to the small very old tiles that line the bottom third of the back of the bath. My landlord said that he would pay for the materials if I did the work. Is it doable? I am a novice, if that. I looked everywhere online and found no directions. Please help!! Thanks

Answer 1

You do not need to remove the tub to do this work, However, this is a huge job. I will usually figure a day to protect the tub, rip out the existing wall board, and tile. Then repair any damaged studs. (there usually is when the tile was not done right to begin with. All who said mold is a health issue are absolutely correct, without good dust protection, your health and the health of your family will likely suffer. I will usually get an upper respiratory infection from mold if I am not careful (and I don't have to live with it after I leave for the day).

After demo and repair, you can then start the new work, which will include water proofing the wall, cement board, then tile. check out some of the links for all the details. This will take you another one to two days. Then you can grout the tile the following day. All in all bathroom is out of commission for 4 to 5 days.

If you decide to take on a project like that for your landlord, I want to be your landlord. This is not your responsibility. Threaten the landlord with the health department if you need to but have him get it fixed now! This is a health issue and you should not do that much work as a renter.

Answer 2

Yes, it's a good idea to take down the tile, but you don't HAVE to. The reason that it's a good idea is that your shower may look odd where it meets the wall if you don't remove the tile. If, however, you don't feel the motivation to remove all the tile (which, by the way, will probably have either drywall or cement board behind it), you will need to find a good trim piece for the edges of your new insert. If the tile matches the insert, you may want to consider cutting down the insert so that the edge of the tile still shows. It may make a nice border for the shower. If not, look at composite moulding. It won't rot in a shower. Good luck.

Answer 3

Try to tell you here would make me a author. But I found a site "step by step floor tile installation" in yahoo search. I know its floor and you want wall. The principals of both are the same, actually the walls are harder.

The reason I am hesitant is redo it much much harder than do and I have done a couple of re-dos and would never do it again. There is no "good enough" in tile setting. If there is a leak you have a mold garden and maybe a new wall or floor. You cannot cover over the old work but must remove any decay, rotten wood or wall board and all mold. Some mold are hazardous and you need breathing protection. You are unlikely to encounter lead or asbestos in removing all material but must know for sure before you begin, especially with children.

I also wonder if your landlord is not responsible to do the work himself because mold is considered hazardous. You may want to check with your local building or rental control government(or perhaps a tenant advocacy group)

Answer 4

Yep, it is best to have a backing of cement board or green board (water-resistant drywall). As far as installing the tile, here is a good link. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

mushrooms in your bathroom? no it should not be the landlord who agrees to pay for materials if you do the work it should be you who agrees not to rat him out to authorities if he fixes it quick!
its a big job, you have to unhook the bathtub, move it out, remove everything thats damaged by moisture put in cement board and tile over it and put the bathtub back. cement board is 10 bucks in home depot per 3 by 5 sheet, tile you can find for buck per square foot its NOTHING costwise compared to the huge amount of work. think about it hard before you get in it.

Answer 6

Since this is an apartment, then take pictures of the mold/fungus and demand that the landlord fix it. It is his property and his responsibility.

If this was your own house, then I would commend you on your enthusiasm and help with advice. As it is, he has to pay for both time and materials and must meet code.

Answer 7

wallboard?Do you mean Dry wall?You never use drywall around a shower or tub,even when applying tile over it!You should use cement board,Drywall will absorb moisture and cause mold.

http://www.floorfacts.com/installing-ceramic-wall-tile.asp