How To Install Cement Board and Waterproofing For Tile Shower Walls - Complete Step-By-Step Guide

[@158shm]

I’ve been a builder for about 35 years and thought I would watch your video, nice job ,

[@AKJammer1]

Just came across your channel and watched the video. Two things. 1st, instead of using cement backer board, I switched to Johns Mansfield Go Board, it's available at the blue big box store. It cuts like drywall and is completely impervious to water, unlike concrete. 2nd, most shower pan manufacturers recommend installing the backer board to the top of the flange, not over it. The tile or other material will then come down to 1/8" from the bottom and get siliconed. This will leave a gap so that water can't wick up behind the final wall in case the silicone gets compromised. Other than that, it was a good tutorial.

[@jens2763]

This is a really good video. AK, do you suggest applying a vapor barrier behind the Go board on top of the insulation for added protection? Also, to fill in the inch space between the board & tub (for guest bath) what silicone do you use? I tried cutting the cement backer board for my fireplace & had to nap after... :-O

[@AKJammer1]

@@jens2763The go board is waterproof, closed cell foam, so you won’t need the vapor barrier for that. If your on an outside wall, you might see a vapor barrier on the back side of your studs, but nothing you should need to deal with. GoBoard has their own sealant that the recommend and is what I use. There are several KZbin’s that will show you proper technique, it gets spread about 2” each side of joint. I normally put in a foam pan, so the GoBoard just slips into the dado on the pan, but this last time I installed into a fiberglass pan, so instead of stopping at the top, I cut an 1/8” slot out of the bottom and slipped the GoBoard to 1/8” from the pan over the flange. Then I applied sealant to the cutout and sealed it to the flange that way. GoBoard just cuts with a knife so it’s pretty easy. Everything turned out great.

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

not a good idea because if water gets behind the tile, and there's no cement board behind it, that water's going straight into the wood and insulation behind it. better to have the cement board get in contact with water as a backup.

[@coopdeville3145]

I'm not expert, but what u said is what I'm logically thinking...​@@user-vc5rp7nf8f

[@paulmaxwell8851]

@@user-vc5rp7nf8f No, this is a common misconception. Cement board (PermaBASE, Hardi) is NOT waterproof and will happily wick water up the wall. You do not want it anywhere near the tub/shower. If you stop it at the top of the tub/shower flange, the bottom tiles simply cantilever down to within 1/8 inch of the deck. Water that somehow gets behind the tile can never reach the wood framing because of that flange. It would have to travel an inch or more straight up.

[@nipzie]

1 - make sure it's the correct fibre mesh tape for cement board 2 - if you add a bit of water first to the bucket then the thinset, then water to the desired consistency you don't get the corners of dry gunk leftover

[@JimPutnam-w6d]

Why do you need the mesh tape and motor if you’re going to title over and motor over the title?

[@kurolap7882]

@@JimPutnam-w6d from what i understand, no matter what, water eventually gets behind the tile

[@bradysmith3024]

@@JimPutnam-w6d for the waterproofing to be flat. That way when you put your tile up they are even and the waterproof can do it's job.

[@juliava605]

@@kurolap7882 Yup. Precisely why I'm currently in the process of tearing down my tiled shower walls completely. 😭

[@lindanedilsky5882]

Thank you for a great video. Honestly, we had not idea the detail that went into this work. We hired a contractor to gut and redo our bathroom. Sadly, we did not do our homework and hired him vai work of mouth and one recommendation. We had to let him go because we could see halfway through the job, he had no idea what he was doing. After watching your video, I have a better understanding of feedback to give him and what to watch with the new contractor. I should have watched more videos. LOL.. Sadly, we lost about $16,000 because we did not get more bids, and we did not get more knowledge ourselves. Bathroom had to be re-gutted (yup all of it) and all new materials purchased, as well as paying for a new contractor to fix the screw up of the first one. Live and learn.

[@tryan7]

I had the very same problem with my bath remodel. My mistake was not as costly. It is waterproof with a poor quality tile job. 🎉🎉🎉 You live and learn. Good luck with your remodel project.

[@bjjthaiboxing]

I'm a Ridgid cordless tools man myself. I realize I'm being a bit biased, but I think people who use the same tools I use... are smart. Cheers!

[@thunder21x]

Rigid better than dewalt or Milwaukee? Serious question

[@stephenbalenger]

This guy is great. I am getting ready to tile up. I did not cut out the back of the cement board to go over the shower pan lip though, instead, I cut furring strips the length of each stud and 1.5 inches wide so that the board went over the lip.

[@thomasmartin945]

I believe the board should not rest on the edge of the shower floor pan or the tub. It should go on the top of the lip to prevent any water from wicking up the cement board. Read the comment by AKJammer.

[@Josh4wlr]

The board should never go over the lip. It’s supposed to go to the top of the lip.

[@JacobWilliams-s5i]

I usually set my screws ahead of time before trying to hang the backer board panels when I'm by myself but another little hack that i found very useful when doing this by myself is measuring down from the top of the wall 3' which would be where the bottom of the top piece of backer board would be and making a mark there on both ends of the wall then connect them by using either a 4' level or chalk box. then i would screw a 2"x 4" to the studs with the top of the 2"x 4" even with my marks so that way i can easily set my rock board on the 2" x4" making it just that much easier to just use one hand to keep the top of it from tipping forward and have my other hand free to operate the drill to sink the screws that i already preset since the weight of the backer board rest on the 2" x4" making it easier to do the job without any help

[@derrelldaniels5247]

I've been doing showers and bathrooms for decades. Out in the field we normally pack out are studs. We packed them out quarter inch or so. That way the cement board or HardieBacker board slide to write down over in front of the flang of a tub or shower. No rabbeting out or back cutting the cement board,or hardiebacker board like you're doing in this video.

[@zefrum3]

Can someone translate this from contractor english to educated English please?

[@laggyx1000]

@@zefrum3I believe he’s saying they burrow out the studs a little so that the actual tub edges are slightly in the studs so the cement boards just slide right down without have to cut the board to fit

[@bradaleyx]

Make wall stick out more so cement board slides down past tub flange

[@jimmyjay6497]

Board doesn’t go over the flange. It butts against it. Put it over and I will eventually leak. You use mesh and quick set cement to seal the gap. Then red guard, caulk when done. Tile.

[@bradaleyx]

@@jimmyjay6497 that is one way, but this entire comment thread is about building the studs out so the cement board can slide down over the flange

[@musicmann1970]

Thanks!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

No problem!

[@jens2763]

Thanks for mentioning & applying the membrane. My 80's house did not & the "drywall" crumbled behind the old tile as I was removing the tile. Codes are so different...

[@hungngo8075]

Thank you for all that you do!! Super insightful and clear as I am using your videos to guide me into renovating my bathroom. Subscribed!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Glad I could help! Thanks for subscribing as well!

[@guerradan1958]

Glad that decided to watch your video. The lip sheets has me puzzled. Now I’m clear what needs to be done. Thanks

[@TheSotexy2]

Great video! About to do my bathroom floor and shower. Feel comfortable after numerous videos and yours have been very clear!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Excellent! I hope it goes well for you. Let me know how it goes!

[@TheSotexy2]

@@TheExcellentLaborer can I use the materials you used with a pre cut Kerdi shower board? Can I use kerdi tape to seal all edges and corners?

[@ariw9405]

Thank you so much! Your explanation and directions are clear and easy to follow. You are an amazing teacher

[@patrickleigh1523]

If you are doing the whole thing including framing (new construction) you can notch the studs at the bottom - about a quarter inch or even just 3/16 inch deep, the height of the pan to allow the pan to recess into the stud wall. So much easier to notch the studs.

[@Shad0wC0mpany2]

Great insight. Thanks!

[@garybrady7245]

Yeah if it's new construction

[@domwick720]

this channel is a gem

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I appreciate that Don!

[@joeyd7728]

@@TheExcellentLaborer. If you don’t mind me asking, how much do you charge to do a shower that size. I’m just starting out and can really use the advice! Beautiful work!

[@juliava605]

@@TheExcellentLaborer I couldn't agree more! LOVE your channel. You have no idea how helpful it is to someone like myself! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

[@kevinseals1767]

you always want to use a waterproof silicone in the corners and not thin set so that there is flexibility in the corners to allow for expansion and contraction. Thin set can crack and leak if used in corners.

[@blakel4595]

Nothing sticks to silicone so your tile won't stick in that area

[@icawn]

Here's some good info. Realistically no one gets this opportunity, so I thought I'd share. 5 years ago putting in a new shower, I used the high quality laticrete hydro-ban caulk in the corners between cement boards. I had to abandon the project at this stage. No mesh tape / thinset. No further progress has been made on the project even to this day. So, I recently assessed the job and found half of these vertical 90degree corner beads of caulk had produced a fine crack. Pretty surprising and disappointing... So, to counter this, I will be including the use of a fabric tape when painting the waterproof membrane. Maybe others should consider this secondary measure, too.

[@silverlion5384]

Thanks for the video. I am almost ready to tape. I found out that the manufacturer recommends a 1/16 or 1/8 gap between boards. Too late im done. Also for inside and outside corners they recommend 4 in Alkali resistant tape.

[@oakleypayne-meyer7534]

This is the most informational and the most comprehensive building channel on youtube by far. I cant thank you enough for your content. There should be 1 mill subscribers for this channel. I have turned 5 people on to this amazing channel this week

[@CD-hc5ds]

Been installing tile new for about 20 years, the only big box we have is HD. Here's some solid advice. 1. Straight edge & plumb the studs & corners, shim if need. 2. Use Aquabar paper over your studs & go over shower lip. 3. Leave a ⅛" gap at your cement board seams (#8 nail) 4. Tape with alkali resistant mesh! 5. I have always used Flexbond thinset & had great results! We live near the 29 Palms Marine base & get shook all the time from the bombing & small quakes are the norm. I've never had a shower leak or crack. For what its worth thats my experience tiling MANY showers.

[@Shad0wC0mpany2]

Thank you!

[@juliava605]

Does this apply for someone who is not tiling but just putting up fiberglass (or similar) panels to create a new surround over an old bathtub? Thank you.

[@filmsforfrens]

I'm working on my first bathroom remodel. What I did to clear the lip was use strips to shim the 2x4s in order for the cement board to clear tub lip

That makes no sense.

[@user-vc5rp7nf8f]

clear, concise, well-filmed

[@joerut4669]

The cement board sits on TOP of the tub flange lip, not overlapping it. By bringing the cement board all the way down over the flange lip, you increase the possibility of the cement board sucking up water through capillary action.

[@paulmaxwell8851]

In my experience, about half of the pros I've observed stop at the top of the tub flange, cantilevering the tile the final 3/4 inch or so past the cement board. The other half back-cuts as shown in this video so the cement board can run down over the flange and better support the tile. It typically stops 1/4 inch above the deck. Personally, I prefer to stop the cement board at the top of the tub flange.

[@allensarkozy7987]

I like your videos but for my shower installs, I use a poly styrene backer board called "GO Board" from Johns-Mansville (approx $26 for 1/2" x 36"x 60") instead of cement board (approx$14) , Go Board is waterproof and doesn't need a painted waterproof membrane ($60-$150) or tape ($10) for the seams and the corners. They have a "GO BOARD" adhesive ($16 for a 10 oz tube) that you spread over the seams and screw heads. It cuts with a utility knife and is dense enough to use bugle head backer board screws ($35). Cement boards need a waterproof membrane painted on it to keep from absorbing moisture. I've added up the costs and using "Go Board" is about the same cost and a lot quicker and more waterproof instead of a product like cement or hardi backer board that can and will absorb moisture.

[@AllthingsJimThorpePA]

Yep and goboard is lightweight and easy to cut no dust. I agree.

[@bdyt]

Go board isn't as readily available as cement backers which stinks

[@TobiasRaphael1]

One issue I have seen with goboard is that if you are going to install grab bars or anything with screws going through the tile into studs or backers, the tile can easily crack as the goboard is foam core and compresses.

[@tomdemeo2708]

No cement board doesn’t need a waterproofing over it this is all upmarket selling. Concrete board doesn’t rot , ever. Use a plastic barrier behind cement board and modified thinset ( mostly water proof). Expensive plastic boards are a waste of money

[@customsolutions7167]

​@@tomdemeo2708 Exactly .. I love people who think shulter is the only way to go....😂 Little do they know their newly built house probably has tiles on drywall in the shower, and tile directly mortared to the subfloor ...😂😂

[@ernestthebo5441]

I love your video; video quality is great, you speak clearly, confidently and with enthusiasm, and your explanations are detailed and clear. I just don't understand why you started at the top of the wall? ET

[@garycasper2929]

Preference. He said so in the video. Doesn't matter either way. On my last job, I had gravity work in my favor, working from the ground up on the main back wall. And from the top down as for the two side walls. Both were easily accomplished..

[@bldrtom]

Very nice video. You covered all the bases for a first class, no call back job. I liked and subscribed. All the best.

[@tryan7]

Josh, You make it look easy. The backer board you use is heavy. Then add glass tile. I carried all this in the house. Great job. 👍 It may look easy, but it is not. 😮 Thank you for the step by step.

[@Bill-ic3bo]

Isn't it recommended to remove the paper face of the insulation if you're using a waterproof membrane over the backer board? Otherwise, mold could become an issue due to moisture being trapped between two impervious materials. I'm a complete novice, but I came across this advice several times in recent months. I learned this while researching my own project whether or not to remove the vapor barrier before installing my shower on an exterior wall. Thanks for your efforts; I've learned so much from such videos and the comments

[@timt9609]

Josh, Thanks for always giving detailed explanation and informative videos.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

You are welcome! I’m glad I can help!

[@spicyhot1695]

Hi Josh, I've just discovered your channel and I must say you are an amazing teacher . I have a couple of questions. About a month before watching your video, I installed 1/4 inch cement board on the Walls of my shower, is that a problem? Can I do anything to it to make it work? Or do I have to remove it and use 1/2 inch? My second question is, do the walls need to be perfectly level or the bit of unevenness can be even out with thinset when tiling? Thank you

[@Dave-jp4by]

It's recommended to use the green mesh tape for the joint cause of molds. The green is mold resistant

[@donphelps3613]

I have to rebuild my shower in my brand new house that the contractor really messed up. After watching several videos on the subject, I stumbled upon yours and what a relief. I am confident that with your explicit instructions, I can now tackle the project. I will have to demo the tile out to the studs and start over so your videos really came in handy, now to gather materials. BTW, the building contractor will repurchase the tile if I do the work. His sub went out of business :~(

[@carrieruffo2637]

This. I have the same problem. Husband wants to do it- so being an engineer I’m sure we can do this

[@lsee6145]

I would think the Contractor would step up and fix what his Sub screwed up. Why should YOU have to do it? The cost of tile is minimal

[@tryan7]

Best of luck with your project. Take your time. Let us know how you made out.

[@AJWATTS]

These vids are amazing.. Great patience and explanation... Bravo

[@LifeMasteryPodcastStevenArecco]

great video ! i like the gluing of the cement board to the studs but feel as though i would be screwing the next redo further down the line.

[@sachicartigiano6227]

Hi thank you , you are amazing . I’m not sure if I can follow all the same steps if I have a shower pan liner instead of a shower pan?

[@susanadiez3577]

So glad I came upon your video. I will be redoing our shower soon. Thanks for being so thorough. I have confidence now that I will be able to do this job.

[@chaupham493]

Hello Building Professor. You are my favorite. I’m going to watch all of you video and learn from you.

[@roxygirl817]

Thank you. This video is great. My daughter put her foot through the tile wall and I had no idea how to fix it and couldn't afford to pay someone. Hope I'm doing it right

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I hope you get what you’re looking for from the video. Good luck with the project!

Is your daughter Wonder Woman, wtf? 😂

[@bwiseok]

I’m not sure how my house would’ve turned out without your excellent advice

[@btomas225]

There's a bit of controversy about whether or not an installer should, or should not cover the lip of the shower base (or imbed their board in the shower bedding if not using a fiberglass base as you are) to prevent water from wicking up into the concrete board. The idea is to end the sheet short of the shower pan lip and the tile would overhang onto the lip of the pan (in your case). What is your opinion regarding this? How does your method prevent wicking?

[@FB-gm6el]

wouldn't the mortar on the back of the tiles wick water about the same as cement board would..? isn't cement board essentially a pane or panel of reinforced mortar?

[@stewatparkpark2933]

You check out the framing at the bottom so that the shower tray sets in and ends up flush with the framing . You run the sheets into the shower tray stopping 3-5 mm short of the tray bottom . You silicon seal the 3-5 mm gap . You water proof the cement sheets . You lay the tiles 3-5 mm short of the tray bottom and silicon seal the gap between the bottom of the tiles and the tray .

[@EPICSOUNDTRAX]

I have to do all this in a few months so saved in my favorites and will follow step by step. thank you for creating these videos. very nice of you

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I’m glad you found the channel. Sounds like it will serve you well on your project. I enjoy making the videos. Let me know how your project goes!

[@sirramsey357]

hey man, this is the first time I am seeing our videos. I have been watching videos for years and I have to say you are very detailed. more detailed than anyone I have every seen. amazing videos!

[@phillippace2495]

Could you have used shims on the studs to allow the cement board to hand over the lip of the base?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

You could do that, except it would flare at the bottom of the cement board out some. Most people would not notice so it would be fine in most cases. It would be best to shim out the whole stud if you were to do that. I hope that helps!

[@nickbrunette8292]

Great video didnt think about using the liquid nails.

[@shaunwheeler645]

Great video, doing my shower soon, it will be my third and I know a better way to do it now thanks to you. Thank you

[@Nevada_Jack]

I may have missed it in your video, and I haven't found anything in the comments, but do you use the mesh tape and Aqua Defense membrane on the crack where the wall meets the ceiling?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I use mesh tape and thinset in the corners . After that dries, I place the waterproofing over that. I hope that helps!

[@Nevada_Jack]

@@TheExcellentLaborer Actually, no, it doesn't answer my question. I was asking about where the wall meets the ceiling. Do you use the mesh tape where the wall meets the ceiling? Thanks in advance.

[@theaveragesoldier1029]

Im renovating right now, i didn't liquid nail the sheets but did use the proper hardware, what's your thoughts if I skipped this step?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

If you already did the work, I would not worry about it too much. Liquid nails is definitely a great reinforcement. Hope that helps!

[@jrhndrsn]

Thx for such clear communication. This is my first time installing over backer board and had not gotten a clear answer regarding joints or waterproofing

[@davidhicks7802]

This is the technique I prefer when installing I like the concrete board on wall alone more solid I use redgard basically same a aqua d thinset bonds extremely well to it

[@BillyJohnson-jk6bo]

I love the "put your ear plugs in" while no eye wear

[@littlehills]

dont want to be deaf and blind now

[@gregwicker856]

Thanks, very helpful!

[@youbitmeee]

Whats up josh how about the ceiling joint where cement and ceiling dense glass meet would you also do it with the same joint application you used or would that be regular drywall mud

[@youbitmeee]

Ceiling drywall*

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Yes I just do the same joint where the cement board meets the ceiling. I hope that helps!

[@YT-User1013]

So, what did you do to the top gap between the wall and ceiling AND at the bottom between the shower pan and cement wall?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Along the top and bottom you can tape and apply thin set just like you did the joints. I hope that helps!

[@YT-User1013]

@@TheExcellentLaborer YES, thanks!

[@gladdenhandymanllc962]

My new favorite channel

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Glad to hear! I love DIY construction. I’ve been doing this business for years and enjoy just about every minute of it. Thanks for watching!

[@rayboots2082]

I used cement board twice and then switched to Hardi board that is so much easier to work with, your thoughts?

[@Him26811]

Josh love the videos, they have been very helpful. I have one question, do you put mesh tape along the ceiling. Where the sheet rock and cement board meet

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

I did but it’s not really necessary. The tile covers up that area and you really don’t see the corner and it doesn’t function as waterproofing either. So it’s really not necessary but I did for a full complete look. Hope that helps!

[@tryan7]

Josh, Excellent video and work. You're a craftsman who cares about his workmanship. I did my bathroom a few years back. The tile work was horrible. I paid top 💵 dollar for poor quality work. My old bath was almost 50 years old. I doubt the new one will last that long. One thing is to wear a mask.

[@victorpereira8717]

Hi thanks for the video can I use that adhesive on cement wall?

[@frankj5947]

Should have shown us how the cement board looked at the bottom edge of the shower panel. Does it touch the lip of the panel or is it 1/8”+ gap to avoid water absorption? Thanks

[@MrAk519]

Rests within the cut out which was made.

[@erikurrutia1500]

It's best if you tape it around with butyl tape and set the durock just above lip

[@vanessap8717]

@@erikurrutia1500 hey, how do you seal it afterwards? I saw a guy use mesh tape to cover the gap between backer board and shower flange and then thinset like the other seams, before using the aqua defence. Is that a good way to do it?

[@jdmartin2984]

@@vanessap8717 if you leave your backer right above the lip and the use mesh tape on the seam the add thinset with a flat trowel or putty knife to fill the void. When that sets up use a waterproof membrane on all the backerboard all the way down to where it meets the fiberglass pan. I recommend taping the fiberglass pan at the 90° angle where they come together. Then peel the tape and good to go.

[@corky5928]

@@erikurrutia1500 the lip on my pan is too thick to cut and overlap. So you’re saying I can butt the Durok to the lip and use butyl tape to cover where they meet?

[@robertarguello1115]

Hm? ... I didn't know that water-proofing was necessary after placing cement board and thinner on the joints? Or, that there is a water-proofing product available and it is applied onto the cement board as if I were painting with a roller. Hm? ... Glad I saw this video. Thanks!

[@ronnorris1504]

thanks for the informative video. Question? I'm gutting my master bath and putting in walkin shower. Would it be advisable to rip off sheetrock from walls prior to putting on backer board for shower? Thanks

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

You would not have to per se. I would just because it would make the shower a half inch smaller on each side which can really make a difference. Hope that helps!

[@charlesmarcum6482]

I notched my cement board over the tub flange but haven't mudded yet do I need to silicone the seam between the cement board and the tub? Great videos BTW very informative..

[@richardhoner7842]

That would be a very good idea. I like that you notched the cement board.

[@gilbertaldama6707]

A title guys with years of experience says that you place the cement board on top of the lip of the pan to stop water wicking up. leaving that space means water can't travel up and make contact with the cement board. Yes, you can use caulking between the gaps if you rest the cement board on the base, but cauling won't stop water perminately, especially in a shower with plenty of water spashing around.

[@TheCookster64]

Good stuff. The most important thing I can reinforce is never to run cement board or drywall over the lip of a shower pan. EVER. Both will wick moisture. Both will fail.

[@stewatparkpark2933]

You run the sheets into the tray stopping 3-5 mm short of the tray bottom and then silicon seal the gap . Water proof the sheets . Run the tiles down the same and silicon seal the gap .

[@chc4057]

You're great. Thanks for the helpful training. Can I ask ... When you cut the wonder board, and have no bevel in the seam of the wonder board , like you have on the right and left side cuts of the wonder board, how do you avoid the thinset bulging a bit?. Thanks again.

[@daniellarson1930]

Not much of an issue, just use enough thinset to cover the tape. The 1/4 " notched trowel allows the thinset to level its self out over that small hump when tile is applied.

[@DavidStoldt]

What type of blade do you use on the oscillating tool to cut the backer board?

[@elmerkerth3871]

The great video it's really going to help me a lot when I do my bathroom

[@retiredperson4054]

Would you use cement board behind a plastic 3 pc shower stall installation? and if using cement board for a shower stall kit, would you use waterproofing before applying the panel adhesive?

[@I_am_ARTBOT]

Very clear and concise video! This is exactly the info I need.

[@reid1boys]

Great job. Love your simple yet thorough instructions. Im thinking of doing this to my sports room this Summer.

[@jrgab2404]

Very detalied video awesome! I AM PLANNING on changng my shower tiles and your video will help me! I want to also change my shower tub to like in your video shower pan

[@yourmasterrenovator86]

Perfect demonstration 👏 you're spot on Josh

[@luisbanda7063]

Wonderful and Thank you For This Video !!!!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thank you too!

[@leonardosanchesbonjour7502]

Nice well done video. And I’m here for the comments as well.

[@mrbillyboy1234kids]

Hi does the joint allow for expansion.so it does not crack

[@GJM_US]

Josh, excellent videos. Thanks, I have a question. My son's contractor did a poor job laying tiles on his shower floor. The shower has a square drain and the contractor grouted all the way around four sides of the drain. Now for basic clean up and hair clogs removal, we have no way of easily pulling off the drain cover. Would it be safe to use some scouring knife or rotary blade to scrap off the grout on all four sides of the drain screen? They can't even use the shower anymore as the water pools on shower floor and takes long long time to slowly drain, in the meantime, standing water is weakening the floor and dislodging the tiles. Thank you for your (or fellow reader's) helpful comments.

[@Lando1020]

Pretty much all drains have a removable strainer aka "grate" either by removing 1 or 2 screws. If you don't see any screws it is probably just snapped in and held by friction. Grouted on all sides is generally as it should be. Good luck

[@DavidMolina-jq7im]

excellent explaining the details very good

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Thanks David. I try to keep my videos as detailed as possible. Take care!

[@shaungutierrez9411]

Any particular blade you used for cutting the Backer Board on your multi-tool?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Diamond blade. Check my store. Hope that helps!

[@shaungutierrez9411]

Thank you!

[@brandonjensen5292]

Well I did one of my first shower tile jobs directly onto old plaster walls a few months back. Hopefully I get some time out of it at least. I took down the old shower wall insert paneling, scraped as best I could, waterproofed two coats, then used a product called echo prim to provide a rough cement board like surface for thin set to adhere too. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this. If nothing else, it was good practice. Thx!

[@michaeldepow6663]

Fail, you needed to use an uncoupling membrane if you want to go over plaster or drywall

[@erikrojas9524]

I can not see your website to purchase parts. And am going to complete redo my bathroom any tips thank you

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

There is a link in the description in the video. It is my Amazon store. I hope that helps. Good luck on your redo!

[@steelisellers8414]

You’re great at tutorial & explanations! Starting this project and came across your bathroom series. Great resource for us!!!

[@joebrewer5885]

Is green board alright for the ceiling or do you need rock board there also? There is a lot of steam in a shower even if there isn't sprayed water.

[@fabianmckenna8197]

About five years ago I drywalled our bathroom and lowered the ceiling to a height of about eight feet also using drywall with the intention to tile around the bath but I've just never gotten round to it! I'm now going to remove the bath and install a shower, obviously replacing the drywall with waterproof board but this was just to say the ceiling drywall has been unaffected by the shower water or steam while being unprotected by waterproofing or paint!

[@gantz4u]

is green board alright? Yeah I'd say its alright. The latex paint is like water proofing to an extent. It water proofs the drywall mud. Like I can take a wet sponge and wipe down my wall paint. Like I can take a piece of drywall and submerge it for days and the drywall does not fall apart, the paper on the drywall does. Id say most "systems" say regular drywall is alright. But to each their own. Maybe youre building a sauna in there. Then No.

[@nunofyourbizness5975]

Does the aqua defense inhibit mortar adhesion?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Not at all in my experience. Hope that helps!

[@musthavefaith8142]

Nail plates for wiring? Gr8 vid

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Typically the wiring is in the center of the wall plate and it will not hit it but if you feel like you should definitely do so. Thanks a lot Rodney!

[@thepicapao]

What do you do with the edge of the wall where the tile and curb of the shower meet the wall outside of the shower (in our case that wall isn't tiled and we don't want to tile it). How do you make sure the water doesn't leak between the tile and the waterproofing and onto the wall just outside the shower?

[@christopheranderson8275]

I’ve never used adhesive just screws is that acceptable or no?

[@lairafraga3193]

Hi Josh, thanks a lot for you videos. They are great and straight to the point. One question I have is regarding the gap between the backer board and the ceiling. Do I need to fill it in with thin set or something, or just fill it after tile is installed (with silicon calk)? I am going to install tiles up to the ceiling. Thanks a lot.

[@LelandFikes]

Do both.

[@dylanprice1068]

Hey I’m about to install a shower pan do y’all use cement board on top of the subfloor as well?

[@eugenepamintuan4321]

Hi! 2 gallon is enough for using aqua defense? Thanks

[@raulnavarro4022]

If im planning on tiling the whole bathroom, not just shower do i need to use cement board over drywall or do i tile straight on the drywall?

[@jhedlind22]

If you want to tile onto drywall in the bathroom outside the shower, you need to use mastic instead of thinset to apply the tiles.

[@martinaleman7982]

What blade did you use with the oscillating tool?

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

Diamond blade. They work well cutting cement board. Hope that helps!

[@Sean-Aviation]

would a thinner than 1/2" cement boards for walls can work? 1/2" is so thick and heavy. also, at the rear side corners, wouldn't it be better to use silicone for flexibility? Thanks for the video!

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

The half-inch cement board is actually ideal for walls because it adds integrity. Quarter inch is only feasible if there is a substrate behind it. I would still recommend liquid nails over silicone for the backer board. Hope that helps!

[@Sean-Aviation]

@@TheExcellentLaborer Thanks. regarding the silicone, i didn't mean using it instead of the liquid nails, i meant in the corners of the cement boards and tiles due to some movement to prevent cracks

[@skainest]

Good instruction. Wish all the home remodeling videos were this good!

[@dajbukatkinga9074]

We are remodeling our bummy little fixer upper and the bathroom has regular sheetrock installed on the walls ,however we are not planning on installing a shower only a tub ,should we switch out the sheetrock to cement boards for waterproofing or would it be fine to leave the sheetrock ?we are also planning to tile the floor and halfway up the wall. Pls no hate comments we are trying to diy everything because we are working with a very tiny budget

[@DoNtCaReBrO_305]

You explain everything in English. Good video man

[@charlescarmichael1124]

Question. Is this different than hanging drywall? We always put drywall on 8ft tall and only 4 wide so we have no seam that isn't on a stud. A house we just finished had it the other way and we had a 4 ft high seam all the way around the room with no stud behind it. The top row of drywall has (over 40 years) slid down against the bottom piece, creating a buldge we had to sand out and retape.

[@murphydowning2495]

Great! Wish there was someone in my area as knowledgeable as your are... I'd be an apprentice for free until he thought I deserved pay! Mind mentioning what exact blade you use on that oscillating tool? That would sure beat using this stinking utility knife ;)

[@marllos1675]

Can you use this method for granite shower walls as well?

[@JohnSmith-hl4bb]

Bottom piece You don't have to cut halfway to fit the tub. I always use thin set to cover up when doing the taping.

[@MrChandrabala]

I am in the process of renovating my shower.. I have seen 10 different DIY videos on this topic.. no one suggests using liquid nail like you do .. is this just an insurance thing or does the cement board manufacturer recommends that ? and also the flange thing you recommend to do... does it actually have any purpose ?

[@rooster13436]

Josh im doing this prodject at home and i would like to know if you mud up to the ceiling or mud the corners like you did you inside corners?