16
votes
Can I waterproof old drywall before battening it and then fixing cement boards in shower area for tiling?
Why do all this extra work? Just tear the drywall off and install cement board. Waterproof that and you're in better shape.
I see no advantage to keeping the drywall and then add battens and all the ...
- 42.7k
14
votes
Can I waterproof old drywall before battening it and then fixing cement boards in shower area for tiling?
This appears to violate good practice - you want only one waterproof layer so that the rest of the wall can dry. If you have two waterproof layers, water can be trapped in the wall. And if your idea ...
- 226k
6
votes
How can I fasten cement board against a lumpy concrete foundation wall?
The thinnest possible solution is to straighten the wall with mortar and a mesh. Then apply thinset directly to the mortar.
Prepare the surface of the wall by scraping any loose paint and scarring it. ...
- 8,929
4
votes
Accepted
How to cut thin strips of Hardiebacker
After scoring, place the sheet on the floor as usual, then cover the thin strip with a stiff board or straight stud as long as the score line. Align one edge of the board with the score. Kneel, or ...
- 14.9k
4
votes
Accepted
How much does a pallet of durock 1/4" cement board weigh?
1710 lbs, 1.9 psf for each 1/4" 3'x5' sheet. You're correct about 60 pieces per unit.
Durock Spec Sheet
Showing my math:
3' x 5' = 15 square feet
15 square feet x 1.9 pounds per square feet = 28.5 ...
- 4,849
4
votes
Accepted
Kitchen Backsplash: Drywall, Cement Board, or Both?
Existing drywall is fine.
Back butter your tiles. If you use something like versabond you get incredible strength. On subway tile when it is still wet you need a lever to pull off a tile. As long ...
- 14.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Cement board or purple drywall for shower surround?
I tend to view this choice in terms of the overall project cost.
There's a difference in price of materials, but on the complete project scale, the cost difference is minor. With tile, it's a trivial ...
- 226k
4
votes
Cement board or purple drywall for shower surround?
In a perfect world, using the purple drywall should be fine for a surround. The problem is you still have to cut the surround for your valves and shower head. You might want to install a grab bar at ...
- 86.2k
4
votes
Is blue drywall enough behind shower wall tiles?
I would not consider blueboard to be equal to DenShield.
Have the contractor provide the proof in writing, or demand that the blueboard be replaced with Denshield.
Also do not make any more payments ...
- 42.7k
4
votes
How can I fasten cement board against a lumpy concrete foundation wall?
Grab your dust mask!
Get a diamond cup (or two or three?) for your angle grinder and grind the walls flat. Heck, you will even gain that 1" of floor space due to removing the unevenness instead ...
- 48k
4
votes
Accepted
What to do about the gap between the tub and the studs?
Assuming that you don't own a table saw, Home Depot sells 5/16"×1-1/2" lath. That or you can use a circular saw to cut strips of whatever thickness of plywood that you need.
You should ...
- 10.6k
4
votes
Can You Paint & Texture Cement Board/Backerboard
Mud & sand it to make it smooth, and treat it like drywall from that point forward.
- 226k
3
votes
Accepted
Does the side of Hardibacker cement board really matter?
According to the James Hardie Website FAQ, either side is fine to use. However, they recommend smooth side to be up and nailed every 8" on center.
- 3,745
3
votes
Accepted
How to join seams between hardiebacker and drywall in a corner?
Don't worry as much about the drywall mud.
As you said, fibatape #4. Do that first.
For #3, set your bead in drywall mud. Then, finish the drywall side in drywall mud and the upper side above the ...
- 2,021
3
votes
Can I use Kerdi Board instead of Cement Board to thinset natural stone tile?
All cement products contain silicates, from the sand use in the cement. It won't be breathable unless you create dust by cutting or breaking the panels.
That being said, I don't see instructions for ...
- 1,657
3
votes
Accidental drywall mud over cement board
Thinset is approved for use over sheetrock - sheetrock typically has drywall compound on it.
If you were using a large format tile with a specific thinset that wasn't approved for use over sheetrock ...
- 14.4k
3
votes
Cement Board versus Mold Resistant Drywall at Top of Bath Tub/Shower Surround
That is not a really wet location I would leave it, I just hope they used a setting type joint compound.
This may be an opinion as others may say omg it must be replaced but in the 50’s and 60’s it ...
- 103k
3
votes
Accepted
Are 1-1/4" screws enough for cement board if I shim the studs with 1/2" shims?
The 1-5/8 cement board screws are much better for this purpose, as they'll go through your 3/8" shims and still have 3/4" in the stud. Even if your shims are fastened securely to the studs ...
- 4,868
3
votes
Is it ok to use drywall instead of cement board on a kitchen backsplash behind the cooktop, there is no running water in the area
Is it "OK" - yes, plenty of tile is installed on drywall (assuming you are planning to retile? If not, well, you don't even need a "backsplash as such.") Plenty of kitchens with ...
- 226k
3
votes
remove mortar + cement board? or self level ontop? Bathroom Floor
That mortar on the floor seems quite solid.
You can just pour self-leveling mortar on top of it. It is the simplest way. Plus it will also keep the whole floor intact.
Take care.
- 1,063
3
votes
How should cement board interface with a shower pan?
Here are the steps I used for decades with great success (no water problems).
You can use the Pre-slope, but I have used a perfect slope to get the mud bed correct and didn't use the pre-slope.
Cover ...
- 42.7k
3
votes
Accepted
How do I install Hardie Siding (Fiber Cement Siding) to Cement Backer Board?
When in doubt, read the fussy manual.
Applying James Hardie® Siding over Continuous Insulation and Non-Nailable Substrates
Method 1: Applying Hardie® Siding Directly through C.I. and Non-Nailable ...
- 149k
3
votes
Accepted
Damaged cement board while removing a chipped tile. Can I repair it?
Cut open the wall's surface from the other side and thinset a cement board patch over all of the fractured cement board. The patch should extend a good 6" to 12" over undamaged cement board ...
- 10.6k
2
votes
Use cement board without plywood for outdoor kitchen
For a vertical application movement is a bigger concern that weight carrying ability. If the cement board is framed well (studs every foot) with no load I think it would be fine.
For what it's worth:...
- 3,612
2
votes
Playhouse to sauna conversion
No, you do not need to remove the drywall to install the sauna. However, you will need a foil barrier (to reflect the heat back into the sauna) installed over the drywall. I'd install insulation on ...
- 23.5k
2
votes
How to cut thin strips of Hardiebacker
There is another way that doesn't require sawing.
All you need are two 2x8s with a 1/2 inch plywood spacer between them at each end, joined securely with several 3" screws, so that there is a 1/2 ...
- 21
2
votes
Drywall/Cement board transition for a tub surround
I would ( and i do ) use denshield instead of cement board. It is much easier to use, you score it and break it just like Sheetrock. It is textured so you want to make sure you set it so it is just ...
- 13.7k
2
votes
can I install cement backer board over plank subfloor
Virtually all brands specify minimum 5/8" plywood or OSB as a base.
I have to say, if it was my house and there were significant challenges related to plywood installation (plank removal difficult, ...
- 36.7k
2
votes
Is cement board a better soundproofing material than 5/8 drywall?
The less dense material would be better for soundproofing, the 5/8" drywall.
There's a lot that goes into soundproofing and there's even professions within the construction industry that specialize ...
- 716
2
votes
Taping or not unexposed wall joints
Taping creates a fire barrier if there ever happened to be a fire in your wall a non taped joint could be a problem.
- 103k
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