How To Waterproof Shower Walls Before Tiling

Use a utility knife to cut an x shaped slit to reveal the shower valve.

How to waterproof shower walls before tiling.

It s likely that different styles of tiles will be used for floor and walls based on how much slip resistance they provide. So where i last left off i had taken out the old shower tile and cut out the damaged drywall. There are two types of waterproof membranes sheet and liquid applied options. To prevent water damage you must install a waterproof membrane just below the tile bonding mortar as close to the tile as possible.

Sheet membranes are plastic or elastometric sheets that have to be bonded to the substrate before tile installation. With the installation of a waterproof membrane followed by water resistant cement boards your enclosure will be safely sealed usually within the course of a single afternoon s work. Measure each wall area calculating the width times height. I show the process of applying redgard topical membrane.

See below for a shopping list and tools subscribe to this o. Repeat the previous steps to apply waterproof membrane to the remaining shower walls. Waterproofing and tiling the master shower an overview 1. For our shower we chose a running bond pattern.

Determine how much tile you ll need. This means deciding where the first tiles will be laid and how the tiles will align with floor and wall joints. This old house general contractor tom silva shows a foolproof way to build a leak free shower. The tile had been in decent shape but i d grown to hate it and i finally had the budget to get a better bathroom.

Fortunately waterproofing an enclosure is only a matter of proper preparation of the walls before the first tile is laid. Add up the wall areas and add 10 so you have extra tile for mistakes or future repairs. Tiles are cut as necessary to fit where they belong. Press the waterproof membrane into the wet mortar on the wall.

Rub the smooth edge of the trowel over the membrane to smooth out any wrinkles or trapped air bubbles.