How to Install and Waterproof CEMENT BOARD tub area

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How to cut and install cement backer board for ceramic wall tile.
When installing a cement backer board it is important to use the correct kind of screw. Drywall screws are not to be used to install the cement board, due to the composition of the backer board an uncoated screw will deteriorate over time and compromise the integrity of the tile installation. A screw that has been coated or galvanized must be used. A screw should be placed every 8", there is going to be a lot of weight when the tile is installed so an adequate number of fasteners should be used. To cut the board to the correct size a simple utility knife is all that is needed. Score the board with the blade of the knife a few times, and then bend the board back until it snaps, complete the cut by running the knife along the cut from the opposite side. A simple key hole saw can be used to make holes for shower valves and escutcheons. The corners and joints will be reinforced with a fiberglass alkali resistant mesh tape and then filled with thinset. Do not use drywall mesh tape. Once the thinset is dry, the walls should be waterproofed with two coats of a liquid applied waterproofing membrane. I will generally reinforce corners of the cement board with fiberglass fabric, then apply two coats of the waterproofing.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link.
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[@samb.1069]

Thank you for this! my contractor is only adding waterproofing in between the durok, no cocking either... you are so much more detailed in your work, its so much better!

[@jesselilley1681]

My old boss used to have drywall put up and just tiled over it. Glad I don't work for him anymore

[@weekendwarrior3420]

Customers are always screwed if they don't know how the job is supposed to be done.

[@lizzapaolia959]

Excellent educational video. Thanks again for sharing your expertise. God bless 🙏

[@joek3697]

Very helpful!! There are many videos which explain how to tile a shower or tub but few if any which explain this portion of the job.

[@sevendust07660]

How did you overcome the tub flange on the side butting up to drywall?

[@sdaniels7114]

How do you keep the plumber from screaming when his mixing valve is too recessed into the wall for its trim?

[@G45and47]

On the corner of cement board and drywall, do you use a metal corner bead? Paper corner bead with the built-in metal?

[@vision2805]

Hi Sal! I've been watching your videos fro weeks preparing to waterproof my new custom shower. Did you use the waterproofing fabric on the seams of the cement board as well as the corners? Thank you!

[@bruceashby6900]

Friend Sal. I'm cheating out non flat back subway with half by half to flush up stone horizontal transition chest height stone with quarter by quarter. I want to back butter I was told not necessary. Not flat back. I butter anything not flat right?

[@jamesmedina3271]

Sal still getting it done at that age. If your in Denver Sal I am your wing man. 🎯😎

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@valsomeone2180]

Sal do you prefer this type of water proofing vs membrane sheeting?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Foam board any day. In Fact this is an update of an old video.

[@danielfeldman7913]

Great video! I am curious, did you do this shower using this method due to the customer's budget? I assume this is significantly cheaper than any foam board method?

[@SalDiBlasi]

No, updating some old videos

[@carmenrojas4469]

Hi Sal, my contractor said he didn’t want me to use that paint on the cement board. I was gonna do it myself and he said no because he’s worried that the tiles won’t stick. I’m thinking to myself, then use the correct material to putty on the tile so it sticks. What do you recommend? Is there a special cement? Is there a specific putty?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Get a contractor that knows something about tile and Waterproofing. That is a foolish statement, he does not understand how these systems work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYCclYhmf6ycgrMsi=Dj2CTeBX3o3T7cYn

[@gloriacarina1]

What about hardie backer board? I didnt use a primer but i did 4 coats

[@SalDiBlasi]

You should always read the directions, more does not always equal better. Liquid applied membranes have very specific requirements which usually means the need a specific mill thickness and usually two coats. more thinner coats does not make it more waterproof and voids any warranty that it might have.

[@weekendwarrior3420]

What's the advantage of Durok over Hardiebaker in this application?

[@kchilz32]

It’s more affordable and you can cut it with a blade no saws needed

[@MadLadsAnonymous]

Sal, in a high humidity environment with fire hazard, how does this waterproofed cement board fare as a sheetrock alternative?

[@SalDiBlasi]

If you have specific needs, contact the manufacturer for specs and suitability for your project.

[@carmenrojas4469]

Hi Sal, hope you’re doing well. Videos are wonderful. I just shared one of your videos with one of my clients bought a house here in Los Angeles. We’re talking about bathroom tile installation. I had a question my mom‘s bathroom or her house got renovated. They did a steam shower and this is my biggest pet peeve. I wasn’t there to see if it was waterproof or not. I’m sure they said they use the tarp paper from the roof, type thing and water tested it but sure enough the ceiling has no tiles and I asked the project manager. What did they use and he said they usedgreen board I said that’s not waterproof. He said it’s water resistance two years later it bubbles up and now it’s peeling. I feel like I’m gonna have to have that bathroom completely gutted and redone the right way. What do you think?

[@SalDiBlasi]

You are correct, steam showers need to follow a very specific instalation method so as to not let vapor penetrate into the wall cavity and cause mold issues. Steam showers must have a perm rating of .5 Ceiling must have tile and properly waterproofed same as the rest of the shower, it should also be pitched at 2" per foot. I would suggest you stop using that shower immediately.

[@carmenrojas4469]

@@SalDiBlasi well financially, I can’t afford to have it done right now if we keep the little window open and not use the steam shower any longer is it OK to use as normal as possible until it gets done correctly?

[@BonBon770]

If you pack thin-set in the corner through the mesh tape as hard as you can it reassures the wall is solid and will prevent cracking in the future, 6in on the edge 8 in inside is code where I am for screws on a board. You didn't let the thinset dry, or you didn't say it? Before you liquid waterproof. You shouldn't liquid waterproof wet thinset..... and you said you were going to use a different method on the left side of the shower, too not fur it out like the right side. So how did you put the concrete board on the left side?

[@Grant_S_M]

He mentioned that the thinset had to dry before going ahead with the aquadefense.

[@BonBon770]

@garmar704 thank you, I missed it

[@gabegaming558]

What is the mesh you are using around the bottom and corners? Do you put the motar between tub and rock, aka the flange gap?

[@AlecShernAPS]

Since cement board wicks water, why not put it on top of the tub flange in case the waterproofing fails? Just curious

[@weekendwarrior3420]

It seems, the reasoning is that if the water gets on the green membrane from above (through failed grout joints?), it'll not go into the board, but travel down and drain inside the tub. If the board sits on top of the flange, the water can turn under the board and get around the tub.

[@bruceashby6900]

Hate to bother you, but your video I learned to back butter non smothtile was presented to me as an example for not back buttering.

[@weekendwarrior3420]

Backbutter is easy and can cause no problem, so I just do it.

[@stephenbeard9882]

Is this a better product than Red Guard?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes

[@stephenbeard9882]

Thank you!

[@dracovenit9549]

Can you just paint it instead of tiling?

[@ShaneHolly]

Sal do you prefer liquid waterproof or say kerdi membrane over backer board?

[@brandtrosenstock]

You answer me this question on that remodel that you're doing right now when you tore that fucking thing out how much mold was on the upper half middle half of the material that was already there

[@anfernyjackson9013]

Since you're encasing it all in a waterproofer, why not just use mold resistant drywall?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Is your budget so tight you can't use a product designed to be water safe. Gypsum products should never be in a wet area regardless of what is covering it.

[@Frankie431]

Any kind of drywall should never be near a shower/wet area. And yes the board he used is also mold resistant

[@krehbein]

Can’t imagine he would. Heavy and a pain to cut.

[@splanzza]

This is ooooold video. Content makers are not being paid anymore as they used to so its a archive recycling time. You can see it all over the place. Poor YT.

[@tombob-vq5dm]

Why cement board if you're going to apply two coats waterproofing? Just use the blue board easily cut, no dust!!

[@weekendwarrior3420]

Cement board +membrane might be cheaper than the blue board + membrane needed to cover the screws and corners?

[@brandtrosenstock]

You guys keep on talking about waterproof in the dura rock how in the fuck is the goddamn Dura rock gonna get wet threw the thin set tile and grout it's not on the walls the only possibility is near the floor more likely by the curb Stop with all the BS you guys gonna spend hundreds of dollars on putting a stupid seal on something that doesn't need to be sealed you could even use greenboard for that fact

[@SalDiBlasi]

No point arguing with you, you know more than an entire industry.

[@brandtrosenstock]

@@SalDiBlasi I don't need to know the industry I know what I see when I do the demo That's all the proof I need