Fur, Shim, Get your walls flat before you install your backer board

[@yoyoitsKerry]

I come back to these videos again and again and again as I go through our fixer-upper. I'm grateful for these video beyond words. 🙏

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help!

[@stevewhite791]

I feel like an apprentice.

[@vikings844]

Another great lesson from the tile legend! I was going to hire a contractor to do a full bathroom renovation but thanks to Sal I'm going to try it myself!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help

[@teh60]

Great tip Sal. A flat and smooth tiling surface makes the job much easier.

[@robertavery8897]

Sal ... your absolutely right. Here is what I do unless the stud is way out. Then I shim that one. I run a heavy bead of PL adhesive down the studs the run screws in on the corners of the BB and check for plain across the BB. Next day just run screws in .... the PL Construction adhesive is as hard as a rock and support the BB. Comes out perfect every time. Nice video as usual.

[@alanlicht7633]

I have seen old homes where the studs are very bowed or concave in the middle, then stick out from the top plate more then 3/8" with a nail driven into the stud and the top plate on an angle that sticks out another 1/8" that will split the stud if driven in further. Many, many older homes you won't be able to fur out here or there or you will be chasing your tail right up the studs. Sometimes sistering studs is the only way. Planing is a great tool also, but I would hate to do it on structural studs.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes sistering and planning are good tools to use,That is one reason I like foam boards, wet shimming make it all very easy to get flat plumb walls.

[@sdafasdfasdfsda]

Sal has a good video on wet shimming with thinset but it only works with Kerdiboard I think. Works great when you have bowed or concave studs since the "shimmed" portion can be variable along the studs.

[@kb.ceramics]

Great advice. Always remember the 6 p’s. Proper preparation prevents piss poor performance

[@tufriverboards2054]

What do you do to plane out with the sheetrock, after shimming a wall that is abutted to sheetrock?

[@TheKaffeeKlatsch]

I’d be interested in how you layout the overlap at the pan flange to the backer board.

[@stacktier8257]

Brilliant, appreciate the ideas on the materials.2x4 rips are a solid way to go.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad you like them!

[@grntchstrmdws]

You've discussed "flatness" but what about plumb? Correcting for this seems to be more complicated.

[@AskMrGreenthumbGardening]

Seriously sal you’re a master craftsmen!

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@maydanlex]

Thanks for going through (what must be to you) a fair amount of common sense...very helpful for a guy like me.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help

[@boltup5566]

It would be helpful to see the studs before, to see how bad they were. Also do ever see bows, where one stud bows out more than the others? Do you plane that one down or furr up the others?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Done all sorts of things to straighten out a wall, If it needs to be fixed, then that is what I do, I have several videos on the topic.

[@KingdomeBleachers]

Thanks Sal! Saved me some heartache on my first shower tile job.

[@uthupjoe]

U got any pics of the job?

[@alexanderchuyko4889]

A nice tutorial and very usewful wit5h what I`m doing now. However we have much longer stud wall which is not plumb and not inline studs among them. It would be too tough job to fix them all. Is that a good idea to fix two corner studs and use them as a guide to apply a kind of a hard putty/filler to all the rest in between of them, please? What kind ogtf compound you can suggest in this case? Also, can you tell me how much studs deviation is acceptable for further cement board and tiling with 600*600mm porcelain tiles (bathroom)? Thank you

[@Chuffin_ell]

Omg, I wish I had given my last job this consideration. I let an apprentice do the wall decking only to discover his eyesight is way worse than mine. The amount of time wasted trying to make compensations on each progression of the project is too painful to fathom. My hindsight is nearly perfect, but will my future memory be able to save me from myself?

[@orlandor2784]

Thank you Sal, very important key, thank you for sharing, you’re the best,

[@orlandor2784]

How to watch your full video thank you

[@460sw3]

What's the max acceptable amount to be off for you sal? For example....if I have one or two out by a 1/16 I will wet shim the my k-board cause it will just eat at me knowing I left it be, but I know other folks say they dont even mess with a 1/16, what say you?

[@SalDiBlasi]

The TCNA standard for flatness for large format tile is no more than an 1/8 in ten feet or 1/16 in 24 inches, and that is pretty much what I try to achieve.

[@SalDiBlasi]

@eata deek Done that as well, good tip.

[@askthisoldtileman5401]

Oh buy the way, when you fur out your studs you need to check you shower faucet .your rough out plumbing might change. Just a tip.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Good point.

[@j.w.r.i2910]

How do you check it to see if it's not too deep ?

[@gavinfirkser7371]

@@j.w.r.i2910 each brand’s valve has a depth minimum and maximum. This is almost always marked on the mud guard. If the guard isn’t up, reference their online specs

[@Robert-ju5mw]

Hi Sal, your videos are very informative. I'm installing an American Standard light weight steel tub, that requires screws and large washers to fasten lip of tub to studs. This doesn't make it easy to plumb ditra board along lip of tub. I'm not sure how far I should flare wall to make ditra install seamless. I would appreciate any pointers you have to give.

[@SalDiBlasi]

So you can notch the studs, or you can fer out the studs, however Kerdiboard can be put on top of the lip of the tub flange as long as you use the banding as recommended by schluter.

[@Robert-ju5mw]

@@SalDiBlasi Thanks Sal!👍

[@95thousandroses]

Were the shims tapered toward the ends? The reason for dips is that the studs are "crowned" which means the bow is worse in the middle of the stud/wall. When nearing either the top plate or bottom plate they should all be in plane unless some poor framing was done.

[@jesserod2601]

Thank you Sal for taking the time. As always great video. Question, what if a wall is flat but out of plumb? Or like another viewer commented , if studs are bowed?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Same thing you should try to get them plumb. Other options to furring are sistering studs and using a plane to take out a bow, or any combination. That is why I like foam boards, with wet shimming it all becomes very easy.

[@jesserod2601]

Sal DiBlasi ty

[@DrDGr2]

What about bowed studs (supporting walls ) Thanks

[@HomeRepairTutor]

Another great video Sal, thanks for sharing. Especially important for old home!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks Jeff, yes sometimes knew homes can be pretty bau as well. You guys ar also giving a lot of good info on your Channel.

[@johnreid2048]

Thanks Sal, I have a question. I'm tiling a 7' X 5' plaster wall in an old New York apartment. It bows in the middle by 1/4". I would like to use cement backer board to set the tile on. How would you suggest I fix the bow behind the backer board so that it sits solidly on the wall? Thanks, John

[@silver-glass]

What is the acceptable limit for a wall being out of level? I'm re-doing my bathroom and shower now and have struggled with getting the walls perfectly level. I am using 10"x20" tile. Thanks in advance!

[@greenveggies7658]

Got send here from a friend and just in time. I've been bashing the hell out of Home RenoVision's channel. People like me appreciate your channel and the advice you share. I've watched a few of your vids now and have learned quit a bit. I compare your vids using Schluter products to that of Home Ass Clown. It's troubling when an expert like you has 94K subs and someone who clearly steals from people like yourself as 500K. Sorry for the rant LOL. Love your channel and plzzz don't stop making videos.

[@codyrobison6817]

Hey Sal do you ever use the mapei 4 to 1 for mud beds if so do you just use felt paper and 2x2 wire lath stapled to the subfloor then pack mud on top of that or do you not staple any of it and out the metal lath in the middle of the base i always put mine on bottom of my mud pan let it dry then put kerdi over that just was wondering the process from you the master

[@SalDiBlasi]

Over plywood, diamond galvanized metal lath over tar paper, both stapled down and then the mud.

[@gsh319]

hey Sal great stuff. Was that board installed down to the top edge or lip of the tub flange or should I get it down lower within a heavy 8th of the ledge. ? I've seen you in dozens of videos and its been addressed both ways. Thanks for the well rounded education with all of your great work and videos!

[@SalDiBlasi]

If done properly it should go in front the tub flange and on the tub deck, however sometimes the situation will not allow it because of existing walls that have to be matched, so other steps need to be taken to ensure a watertight connection. If everyone did their jobs right, it would never be a problem, I guess we can dream.

[@gsh319]

Haha Yes..we can dream. If I didn't love this carpentry and construction work so much, it would start to be a regular pain in the ass. I appreciate everything you've taught all of us. I'm gonna completely blowout and do my own two full baths. Its not about the money, I'm just really into learning the work. Thanks.

[@ryanshannon6963]

Good day, Mr DiBlasi! I purchased a schluter shower system. It came with the membrane, not kerdi board. I'm going to install the green board (moisture resistant) and obviously layer the membrane over the board as directed. How much room do you leave between the top of the kerdi shower pan and the bottom of the drywall as I'm lead to believe they're not supposed to touch? Bonus question, IF they're allowed to touch, can I install the drywall first, layer the membrane over the wall, then install the kerdi shower pan and mate the surfaces with the kerdi band? Thank you, sir!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Install the drywall first, then the pan, then seal everything with the membrane and Banding.

[@treystills]

Awesome work, thank you! How crucial is it for the walls to be square with each other?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Mayb crucial is not the word to use, and depending on the type of tile and and the pattern on the wall, it will be more or less important.

[@davidc5701]

Awesome video!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks!

[@carni6319]

You may also need to get a planer and remove material instead of adding it.

[@jbrise7560]

Good info sir. I’ve got a wall made of brick on the back of bath/shower. Can I place backer board onto the brick wall or do I need to screw in some studs?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Look into a foam board like Schluter, it is very easy to go over the bricks by using large blobs of mortar at proper intervals and placing it on the brick wall. They have a video about it on their channel

[@jbrise7560]

Sal DiBlasi Sounds good, thank you sir!Also thanks for all your awesome detailed videos!! 👍👍

[@tonyangelo1660]

Hey sal, what do you do when your schluter board or whatever is used is proud of the finished drywall when there aren't any wall returns. Hope that makes sense.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Planning is crucial, compromises sometimes have to be made. This is a common issue and can be avoided with proper planning. If the new board has to be in plane with the old wall, then you have to figure out a way to make it happen, and still seal the tub to board connection.

[@bigdogmn73]

Great video Sal..thank you!

[@ceeIoc]

If I shim out the board on the side wall of the shower, it wont be flush with the wall next to it.

[@LALO.H]

How much is the payment for doing everything with ceramics?

[@richrearick]

Thanks for your expertise!

[@pampeoudasov1876]

What do you think of covering wall with OSB board or thick plywood to make it flat, and then install cement board over it? These boards are already perfectly flat, so you get perfectly flat surface with less hassle vs furring strips.

[@Syn410]

Stud's are either proud (sticking out to far), or they bow in. If you have stud's that are proud, OSB would rock back and forth against the stud's that are sticking out the most (as you can't push the plywood through the stud). If the stud's bow in, the plywood would go on the wall perfectly flat, but when you screw in the board, it's going to draw the plywood in all the way flush to the bowed stud, creating a large concave board.

[@danallen1828]

Hey Sal, love the channel! I was curious about plumbing up a wall after backer has been installed? I'm taking over a shower where the previous contractor left for reasons I was not told. The walls have a wonder board install and the joints are nice and tight and it's been taped but I have noticed a couple dips, no humps but all dips. Can I float that out with a thin leveling mix (like a sika feather edge over a bonding agent ((less than 5/8")) before I apply A redgaurd or shluter ? I can't find anything in the book.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes you can fill the dips with a cement based patch,. get it flat and the n waterproof as usual.

[@jessegandarilla4472]

I have the same problem in my bathroom where the drywall meets the durock. It's out of plumb about half an inch by 4 ft tall. I put on about 1/4 inch thinset already. I plan on doing small coats that way it bonds better and I've laid mesh tape in between. Do you think this will work? Also, I was thinking instead of using thinset, using rapid set cement all or rapid set mortar mix. Thoughts?

[@steverodgers9206]

Could you use a wood plainer to flatten walls?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yrw used an electric plainer many times to shave studs.

[@thatonegamer2709]

Might sound dumb..maybe not..but would it be possible to lay a sheet of that "smooth brown wall panel" stype behind my cement board to have it par with my drywall ??

[@SalDiBlasi]

Best to use strips.

[@acollins9277]

Thanks Sal

[@jmjsr]

Did you use a square at the corners to make sure they are 90 degrees, or is flatness the most important concern.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Square is nice, and should be the boal, but plumb and flat are more important.

[@j.w.r.i2910]

Ty very much 🙏

[@j.a.d7602]

Good stuff

[@rinotidona952]

Hi Sal do you have o video ,on how to install a pre fab. Plastic or fiberglass shower base , complete with board flashed on top Base

[@SalDiBlasi]

sorry i do not

[@rinotidona952]

@@SalDiBlasi thank you iv learned so much from you vids. I'm a bricklayer by trade but got into tiling years ago , keep posting your work ,YOUR THE REAL DEAL

[@SalDiBlasi]

👍😊

[@rinotidona4267]

Hi Sal I done a shower 2 years ago the tub was left in place I reboarded the walls the problem was the studs were so bellied and worped I just PL ed and screwed new 2x4s plums and in line also put bridgeing horizontally to keep everything from frosting later on what's you thoughts on my solution to remedy this issue

[@rinotidona4267]

Sorry new 2x4s were screwed side to side new to old

[@SalDiBlasi]

Called sistering, done it many times.

[@craigkeyintel]

good video

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks

[@R2Mike]

Hey sal....quick question. Do most subway tile have built in spacers or do you just need a ton of spacers? I have tiled a good many showers but never installed subway tile. My God the spacers it will take..... if its beveled is that enough for unsanded grout? I wouldnt think so

[@SalDiBlasi]

There are still some around, but not as many as there used to be, these days seems they are harder to come by. Put a couple of tiles together and see how tight they fit, if there isn't enough room for grout, then you will need to use spacers.

[@R2Mike]

@@SalDiBlasi ok...thanks man. I trust your know how. Great work and content man...honestly, keep it up!

[@derekjensen2651]

Will 1/16th of a inch make a difference or should it be perfect?

[@SalDiBlasi]

1/16 will fall within the tolerance allowed.

[@0ggi]

It seems from videos that most houses in the US seem to be of timber frame construction internally. Is this true?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes all timber.

[@walterk1874]

The best is when your tile runs throughout. Certain people do not care whether they are hanging board or washing dishes.

[@michaeldreher7475]

Sal, would drywall strips be ok?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Sure

[@jefflabute6840]

schluter has videos of them using drywall in the shower and then using kerdi over top of that. what's your thoughts? i don't like it, but the manufacurer is ok with this......?

[@460sw3]

Perfectly fine to use this method, when installed correctly it's as good as any other method....better in some cases in my opinion because of time constraints. Put it up, overlap seams 2" band where you need to, start tilting same day! When used with schluter thinset...lifetime warranty!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Like 460 S&W said perfectly fine, approved by schluter. A lot of guys just feel better using cement board. A sheet membrane is much more reliable than a liquid applied, has better perm ratings and allows the use of drywall.

[@apex007]

@@SalDiBlasi that's just irresponsible to even say drywall is ok in a wet area. Will schulter pay for damage if your pipes leak and destroy the drywall from the inside?

[@SalDiBlasi]

@@apex007 Schluter expressly says and recommends drywall under the Kerdi Membrane, If the plumbing leaks, the drywall is not going to be the problem if you don't fix it quick. Think about it, drywall takes time to deteriorate, it does not happen instantly, so if you have a leak, the leak will appear in other places before it becomes a problem for the drywall, if you leave it and don't get it fixed, then you were just asking for problems.

[@apex007]

@@SalDiBlasi I did think about it. If it's a pinhole leak you may not notice anything for months. By that point sections of the drywall would have been under continuous water contact. Your studs can dry out, but the drywall doesn't stand a chance

[@askthisoldtileman5401]

Amen 👍

[@ShootStraight84]

Where do you get the strips from ?

[@ShootStraight84]

You just answered it later on the video .

[@rodolfogiles4522]

Where do i get those shims? Home depot?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Or you can just make them.

[@kenbagwell8551]

My Menards had them in the store. The other box stores I had to order them.

[@dylancooper8497]

POV: you're on facetime with your dad

[@LykeArgy]

Cries in european

[@parks2789]

😍👍👍👍

[@theaverietts1552]

Strait to the point would be nice.

[@theaverietts1552]

Well, you win some you lose some. What can I say? I was driving a train in the City.

[@brucebanner8684]

*straight

[@theaverietts1552]

@@brucebanner8684 slowest spellchecker ever...

[@cohenkevinloriqueen818]

a professional videographer needs to give sal a lesson on filming......

[@Lisa-19833swa]

what a crappy camera constantly moving...slow down the camera movement

[@michael4962]

Sal, please get a tri pod. Your video’s are hard to watch. I’ll send you one if needed. And don’t be so defensive, Relax.

[@SalDiBlasi]

I have upgraded a bunch of stuff, thanks

[@williamsauder1823]

A pro would float that in a couple of hours

[@SalDiBlasi]

A real pro is not that arrogant.