While it might sound like a good idea to install backer board over drywall before tiling the shower the reality is that the drywall should be removed beforehand in most instances.
Tile over sheetrock in bathroom.
Regular drywall can be used as a base for tiles in a shower but only as an absolute last resort.
Scrape away any loose or peeling paint or wallpaper.
Purchase the joint compound putty knife primer adhesive and other materials needed to.
Step 5 grout.
You should not tile over wallpaper glossy surfaces lead paint or plywood.
Remove any remaining dust oil or grease with tsp tri sodium phosphate or an ammonia based cleanser.
Continue sanding the area until the paint is no longer shiny.
Measure across the wall the length of.
Water resistant sheetrock is usually blue or green in color and is called blueboard or greenboard.
If the paper is green it s greenboard and you shouldn t tile over it.
With tile showers in particular you can have a lifetime guarantee as long as you follow the proper installation methods.
The wedi board wedi shower system includes special bonding agents referred to as wedi caulk though is much more than caulk that waterproofs the seams in the corners as well as the joints where the 3 5 board pieces join together.
Step 4 place tile adhesive on the sheetrock.
However tiling over tile can add quite a bit of thickness so make sure your wall can handle the weight.
Even in the best of scenarios the tile and grout will eventually wear down leaving behind a clear route for water to seep through and soak into the drywall.
Peel back the paper and look at it carefully.
If it s just white or grey tile away to your heart s content.
Compare this to the common practice of tiling over drywall and you get the idea that you have a totally different shower by using a product that is meant to function in the shower.
I saw many jobs that lasted 20 30 years before the sheetrock failed in wet areas but in dry areas it last longer than wet areas and is less expensive to install.
Step 1 obtain materials from home improvement center.
How to tile over sheetrock.
In the 50 s it was common to install tile on regular sheetrock in bath shower areas.
Step 3 apply primer to the sheetrock.
Sand the wall with 80 to 120 grit sandpaper on an orbital sander s pad.
Moisture causes sheetrock to deteriorate rapidly.
You may tile over existing tile painted or unpainted drywall plaster and textured walls.
If you re not sure if you have lead paint test kits are available.
Tile will hold up fine on the blue board green board in areas that are not wet.
Start by removing any molding switch plates outlet covers and other hardware attached to the area being tiled.
Use a utility knife to remove a little 1 2 square section of paint paper from the face of the drywall.
Step 2 fill holes.
Measure the width of the wall and divide the number by two to find the center.