Bathroom remodel - Page 2

trekkor · 03-10-2011, 12:00 PM

I'll be over near the IKEA store at a pre-LeMons race gathering.

I haven't tiled over any backer board on walls in years.
I see no reason to compromise the job that way.

Yes, float over sheetrock without a moisture barrier is a recipe for failure.
All too common, sad to say.

KT

look 171 · 03-10-2011, 12:39 PM

I reallydon't understand why people just don't install felt paper to avoid call backs or a law suite. Its only a few bucks.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I looked this up on the internets before I got started, and saw they were using plastic sheeting for a moisture barrier. Yes? No?

VINMAN · 03-10-2011, 12:45 PM

I use plastic sheeting between the backerboard and the studs.

gtc · gtc's Garage

Anyone try wedi backer board? My parents bought it for the bathroom remodel I helped them with, and it was a joy to work with. Easiest tile job out of the 5 or 6 I've done.

trekkor · 03-10-2011, 03:43 PM

The best jobs, the one I guarantee for life, are ALL floated with mortar.

KT

look 171 · 03-10-2011, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trekkor

The best jobs, the one I guarantee for life, are ALL floated with mortar.

KT

Damn, my guys have to tear some of those things out for a bath remod. What a b1tch they are to rip out. They stay put for years.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

trek

Why? What have you heard or experienced with wedi or others & its floor equivalent? We have a bathroom project & the unhired top candidate contractor mentioned he uses something . . .

Ian

Zeke · 03-10-2011, 04:17 PM

You haven't torn anything out until you've demo'd a concrete shower or one where the tile was set by wetting and then dipping into dry portland cement powder and stuck on still plastic floated walls. That's how it was done before thinset.

It's easier to knock down the walls and take the stuff off the studs.

trekkor · 03-10-2011, 05:21 PM

With any manufactured cement board/etc panel, the walls will only be a flat, level and square as the framed enclosure.

Water tends to get through them over time, rotting the framing.
Cracks typically develop in the tiles or grout in the corners or on the seams.
It's almost impossible to use a cement panel on a shower wall that has a tiled shower floor with long lasting results.
For the trouble that it takes, you are time ahead for appearance and longevity to just float it.
( do it right the first time ! )

I like to use hardie backer on floors only.
I go through quite a process to get the floor flat before I set any tile, though.
Subfloor prep as well as backer leveling.

Floating floors is not generally practical on a remodel, as adjoining floors and exterior thresholds do not allow for a 1-2" thick floor.

Current job | Facebook

KT

trekkor · 03-10-2011, 05:28 PM

Two more galleries:

tile projects | Facebook

Tumbled Marble Bathroom | Facebook

The second one shows all the details step-by-step.

KT

look 171 · 03-10-2011, 05:29 PM

Milt,

Depending what on the other side, its time for jack hammer and large crowbars.

The ones built back in the 20s to the 50s were the toughest to get out. My old timer tile man told me that's how they use to set them before thinset. I have to say, I love Mapei thinset with their add mix.

This is something for you guys to think about for those who want to use concrete boards.

VINMAN · 03-10-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

Anyone try wedi backer board? My parents bought it for the bathroom remodel I helped them with, and it was a joy to work with. Easiest tile job out of the 5 or 6 I've done.

I used Wedi on a shower last year. Was pretty nice to work with.

Trek, you a fan of Redguard?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

More demo tonight. It's getting ugly.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

Thanks for the info, trek. And the step-by-step. The last time I tiled - in my 1st house - a serious fix-me-up - was in 1976. I certainly didn't do it the way you did.

Ian

trekkor · 03-10-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Trek, you a fan of Redguard?

For use over a cracked slab, yes.

Walls, no.

KT

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Well, I ran into my first issue: trying to find a shower pan. The width of the shower - stud-to-stud - is 38"; all of the shower pans are 34", 36" or 42"

We went tile shopping last night, which went about as well as expected - neither of us could agree on a colour, or when we found one we liked, it was discontinued/wrong type/wrong size, etc. or just too damn expensive. Found one we both liked, @ $16/sqft.

I'm tempted at this point to get one of those 4-piece plastic enclosures, and just pretend I'm at a Motel 6 when I take a shower.

trekkor · 03-12-2011, 08:17 AM

You can fir out the enclosure to accommodate the next smaller sized pan.

KT

jyl · jyl's Garage

Why are you buying a pre made shower pan, why not have someone float your shower base? Definitely do not lose the extra inches.

look 171 · 03-12-2011, 09:59 AM

Hey Trek,

We still hot mop and float all of our pans and float all the walls. Have you use any of the modern methods you see in various tile shops? I don't know what the name is but I think it was some orange color rubber fabric for the pan. I am sure there are other companies that make a similar product to save time or eliminate the mopping process. My tile man also doesn't like them or trust them. What do you think?

Jeff