Wet Shim Framing Studs for Flat Plumb Walls!

How To Wet Shim Framing Studs to Install Flat & Plumb Backerboard for Tile Installation
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[@michaelkrok6262]

Been doing this for 25 years and this is by far the best advice i have ever got

[@bahhumbucker]

Great tip! Fast and accurate. Screwing around with the cardboard shims takes much longer and is harder to get perfect. THANKS! Also, I really appreciate that you get right down to it in your videos. No 10 minutes of blah-blah-blah like many youtube vids. Much appreciated!

[@FranciscoMartinez-iz9rc]

So much appreciation on this aspect!!

[@deekmdrs]

Thank you! Your videos, even though very short, they’re so accurate to answer all the questions -it’s like watching a dart game. You hit the bull’s-eye every time.

[@bossmajor317]

I'm 68 and been doing this for 82 years, big mansions, I do all of them, for celebrities mostly..... 😉 great video thanks for the tips!

[@martylucas8557]

Hmmm....do you mean you’re 82 and doing this for 68 years? What celebrities have you done work for? That being the case you do high end work, like Landberg.

[@kowthuravi6407]

Overtime

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

@@martylucas8557 Whoosh !! 🙄😂😂

[@05glisedan]

Just learned something new... Talk about, thinking outside the box.. Great tip. Thanks for posting...

[@Erikisat]

Done it for years on the floor but never thought wet shimming walls. Great idea thanks!👍👍

[@j.w.r.i2910]

Over a plywood subflooring?

[@thecraikybunch6789]

This video was recommended. I clicked on it thinking "What is this dude going to show me that I already don't know...." I was shown up! The egg is on my face. Cheers!

[@LandbergTileTV]

👊 Thanks for the watch and comment brother

[@danervin2530]

From the man, the myth, Sal Diblasi. Great vid, and something I do all the time. 👍

[@randyrey4826]

Great idea. I have a 100+ year old home and every wall is out of whack. This is a great idea to save time and money!!! Thank you!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!

[@LandbergTileTV]

Thanks Randy!

[@shaneanderson983]

Just started doing this about a year ago 🤣 been doing tile for 14 .. thinking of all the wasted mortar I used skimming out the wall after the boards were on! Lol great video

[@LandbergTileTV]

Appreciate the comment brother 👊

[@jeffdeluca1153]

You take serious issues and in plain language teach us the way. Thank you for your efforts. I'll be linking some Amazon purchases thru you!

[@destino2portugal]

Superb, would never have thought of that, cheers dude 👍

[@LandbergTileTV]

No problem 👍

[@cfomusic73]

Yes seen a schluter video on this 5 years ago... Used to do it but I'd mostly use the sister stud method so I can start tiling same day instead of waiting for the thinset to cure........ But great video....... Keep them coming

[@mauriceordonez4566]

Once a long time ago. Had a major pitch or settling on a wood flr. 1800'sbuilding. I used same thinset and cement board and screwed down . Worked like a charm

[@jasonwatford1355]

Been tiling for years but love learning new tricks of the trade! Thanks brother!

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

Wow this saved my ass, my wall, and my time👍

[@udfly812]

Great video, thank you...just curious, why can't you use hardy backer with this method?

[@BlahBlahManYeah]

My guess, there are few reasons, weight of cement board too much for thinset on studs to carry before you can screw it to the stud, another deal is stiffness of cement board will squish thin-set as you work on aligning it with level, and of course it won’t spring back. Foam board is very lightweight from that perspective. Now me thinking, how to plumb cement boards on skewed studs? Quick guess to get set of new studs and screw them plum next to existing studs and hang drywall on new (plumb) studs.

[@markoshun]

@fartpoobox ohyeah Right. Schluter video for wet shim says use stiff mix for this problem.

[@tothepointvids5192]

@fartpoobox ohyeah I have a gap of 3/4” between the shower base back edge and the wall. AND this gap is not consistent so one one side it’s 3/4” and on other end it’s 1/4”. So o need to do wet shin AND build up this gap so my final hardie back goes on the shower base flange nicely. Any suggestions??

[@markoshun]

@@tothepointvids5192 I wouldn’t try to fill 3/4” with wet shim. I think I’d probably sister the studs to get them out to the right place and only wet shim the 1/4” one.

[@TaylorTDT]

Incredible timing! I started a bathroom project a few weeks ago and got stuck trying to figure out how to level the studs. Going to do this tonight to continue the project!

[@LandbergTileTV]

Awesome!

[@stroys7061]

Same here

[@CbrF4i600cc]

Shows your no expert

[@shaffer4220]

So glad I checked out this video. You impressed me with your solution to remedy both plumb and level shower walls. Great job!

[@LandbergTileTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thomasjohnson6411]

Nice Never thought of doing this before like that Did you say you can't use cement board would like to know why

[@dwsolberg]

Cement board is much heavier, so the thinset won't hold the board in place as you tap around getting the whole thing flat and plump.

[@swamphox1]

That makes zero sense@@dwsolberg

[@nateearle844]

​@@swamphox1 I bet you could successfully wet shim cement board in that first scenario where the middle stud was bowed in. Just slather the middle stud, then screw the board into the two outer studs, get the middle flat with the level and let it set up before adding the remaining screws. Getting the whole sheet plumb would be a nightmare with cement board. In that case, it'd be way better to use solid shims on the studs before the board goes up.

[@460sw3]

Great video for the new comers to save them some time, I've been doing this since shluter approved this method. Saves so much time and headaches! Tile on brother!!!

[@michaelprosperity3420]

Thanks. Getting ready to drywall a bathroom. Will apply what I learned here.

[@johnharrison2466]

Always shimmed out with wood I will be using this method here on out,great Idea thanks for the video

[@mattjudy6780]

Love the wet shim method. Been doing it for about a year now

[@divinee.155]

Please tell us why we can't wet shim cement board

[@jamesmchugo9422]

Well this something I never heard of before. Hell of a lot easier the shimming cardboard and wood. How is its longevity?

[@marcopolo242]

Much easier than sistering. Thanks.

[@mikebertinshurtow]

Been doing that for 40+ years using scrap rolls of cheap sheet vinyl. Always had some in my truck. Sheetrock 45 works great too. Less downtime.

[@johndalton6929]

Thinset is far stronger than sheetrock 45. Would not recommend that

[@mikebertinshurtow]

@@johndalton6929 It's just as a backer, not an adhesive. Board still gets screwed to studs. Sheetrock dries harder.

[@rideauviewconstruction717]

Fantastic, learn something new everyday. This will help me with my remodels for sure!

[@papiofisher]

I've learned something today thank you faster than paper shims. Im gonna try it tomorrow

[@tarekkalimat]

That's gold Jerry... gold. 🙏

[@bhanukishore6876]

I wish you posted this video 1.5 year earlier or I knew this before hand at least. It was a pain in the rear to tile on uneven kerdi board. I did however tiled it but the tiles are slightly curved. Good job pointing this out. Lesson learnt the hard way. For all DYI'ers bathroom remodels are a pure pain. you will miss many things which experienced people would look after. There is not just a list, there are many to look into. Unless you experience it, you do not know.

[@BrentDarlington]

I usually just sister up new studs if it's bad but with the price of lumber this is probably a cheaper option. Will have to try it, thanks!

[@mikek3951]

Ain’t that the truth. Lumber prices have went sky high. 2- 2/4-12’s cost me d almost $50 now. A price a gave for a deck job 4 months ago. I had to jack it up by $3500 only due to increased cost of mtl

[@BrentDarlington]

@@mikek3951 it's pretty tough to keep up with the price hikes. I have having trouble with getting plumbing fixtures in a reasonable time frame now. Hard to schedule when it take 6 to 8 weeks to get shower valve trim.

[@mikek3951]

@@BrentDarlington Lol I just went through that with Ferguson. Brizo trim They started with 2 weeks. Then 3. Then 4. It ended up 4 months. It’s getting bad for sure

[@yozemitelevin4645]

Wow! I wish I saw it before putting up my boards. Just finished tilling my bathroom walls and I can assure u that installing tiles on out of plumb wall IS a nightmare! Thank you @landberg Why isn’t this method would work for a cement board though? 🤔

[@joshkitzmiller7333]

Great video But just want to say that you can use screws on your hardy board or your green drywall if you’re using Schlueter waterproofing system just don’t run your screws all the way in just enough to hold the board in place been doing it for years works great after the thin set sets then you go back and sit all your screws

[@patrickaustin8335]

That's an bs response

[@joshkitzmiller7333]

Obviously you don’t know what you’re doing stop tiling please

[@patrickaustin8335]

You are tripping... How does the board contour to the stud without sinking the head of the screw?? Do you specialize in floating tile?? Lol

[@joshkitzmiller7333]

You do sink the screws after the mud sets up The reason you put screws in half way at first is the hold the board in place to keep it plumb and flat after mud sets up then you go back and sink your screws in FYI : your not following the true contour of stud when wet shimming there’s a reason y your wet shimming in the first place the true contour of the stud is out of wack

[@markvaladez212]

You’re correct. I do this as well

[@DonovanBrown]

This is the best video I have found on how wet shim. Thank you! I now have the confidence to do this in my shower.

[@jnd9793]

Why would you take a chance of the thin set braking out. Just sister a new stud to the bad one. You don’t have to Wait for the thin set to set up or worry about issues down the road.

[@ikust007]

Sal Diblasi does the same thing. It’s an excellent technic.

[@jnd9793]

@@ikust007 I’ve been doing tile work 50 years. It’s something I wouldn’t do. I each is own. Don’t keep up with names so clueless to sal Diblasi is!

[@mseesea]

I think the wet shim technique was initially promoted by Schulter after they came out with their own thinset. They obviously want to sell more thinset. Depending on the size of the wall it might be cheaper than sistering 2x4s.

[@Tierone1337]

Use pl premium plus construction adhesive, that stuff makes good shim when dried up. It’s rock hard and sticks to anything.

[@chriscolameco6850]

Or just use a planer

[@rusbergerson2517]

Great tip. I will try on concrete backer board BUT with redgard on the studs and a brush width of redgard on the back of the backer board. Time? I'll check and prep the walls before starting the concrete shower pan. Personally I don't like foam boards, too flimsy, too expensive. I also have a planer for high spots.

[@divinee.155]

Can use sub floor glue too

[@willknott4796]

What happens when the stud expands and contracts? Won’t the thinset separate from the stud?

[@ryanwightable]

It’ll adhere to the kerdi though and the kerdi is screwed down, so the thinset isn’t going anywhere.

[@biblgrl6563]

I knew Schluter says you can use this procedure, was hoping it would work on Goboard as well, since they are the same types of material. Thanks for the video. Will have to buy some longer screws to make up the difference of the added thinset.

[@rogerbyrns4630]

Omg!! I’m so happy I watched this! Thanks 🙏🏼

[@LandbergTileTV]

So glad!

[@MrKEErickson]

How does that work if the drywall at the interface of wall and shimmed shower wall are then at two different planes? Thanks, your videos are always clear and concise.

[@andy.m7274]

It wouldn’t work apart from the back wall, as you say the shower would be plumb and the intersecting point with the wall outside the shower wouldn’t be, in saying that this method can still be used to take the “belly” out of the wall at least.

[@tarmization]

You could just tile over the interface point by about an inch. Cut the drywall back if needed

[@andy.m7274]

@@tarmization yes but the point is if the wall is around a 1/4” or so out of plumb then you’ll see it on your tile edge no matter how far you tile over the intersecting edge.

[@chrissimon8403]

Yup, it's absolutely necessary to flat and plumb!!

[@bigbikerjohn64]

Another great video! Curious to why this can only be done with foam boards? Is it because the cementicious boards would absorb moisture cause the boards to be pulled in?

[@PoisonJarl71501]

I think the other boards are too rigid and the screws would pull the board tight to the stud and break the thin set out. Just guessing.

[@bigbikerjohn64]

@@PoisonJarl71501 you might be right. The other thought I had was some of the cementicious boards tend to have a curvature to them that may need a true frame to pull them true.

[@samfredo8140]

Great question. I was thinking it was because of the weight. They are a lot heavier and they don’t go all the way to the ceiling.

[@markvaladez212]

You can use this method with Hardibacker. I’ve been doing so for a couple years now. Once thinset is on the studs, use a Level and Mellot. Tap te areas necessary to achieve a level board. Only use two or three screws to hold the board in place and do not countersink. After the thinset is dry, apply the necessary amount of screws and Counter sink. I havnt had any problems yet.

[@amattson6578]

cement boards are too heavy for wet shimming. foam boards will hold in place and stay flat and plumb.

[@PoisonJarl71501]

Fantastic video. Thanks man

[@BobsHomeServicesLLC]

Why would you not be able to wet shim cement backer board? It would seem that this wet shim method would work with any type of board including drywall.

[@shanewatkins5636]

Agree. Just screw the outside studs so to hold it in place. Start the screws in the middle, check it, then wait a few hours to dry before screwing them down. Seems to me that would work anyway.

[@remodz6385]

You can, it’s just rock is a lot heavier and will fall with no support while waiting to dry. If you k ow where your two high points are where the rock is going to squeeze out all the cement, than throw a couple screws into those to points to hold it up while your waiting for it to set

[@leevy6753]

Dam. I never thought of that and I'm a pretty clever fella.

[@tothepointvids5192]

Awesome video as always. Your voice very close to Duane Chapman ( The bounty hunter). Thanks for sharing the knowledge

[@LandbergTileTV]

Love that show, rip to his wife

[@josephgraham1065]

Wow thats brilliant... Great video

[@WilliesDET]

Awesome tip..... But why not cement board?

[@LosDog14]

I do this with Uzin thinset and it works great. I had a wall so bad last year that the thin Kerdi board and thinset were used together.

[@jhscolombianito7598]

Ey broth I appreciate this amazing advice. Thank you so much . It will be very useful.

[@khybersafi9137]

That's money right there Landberg. 👍

[@ericprobinson]

Could you address the possibility of getting a ridge where two boards meet. That way your wall is flat across different boards.

[@danthecarpenterman9463]

I always just sister in new studs with a straight edge and level , but I use cement board

[@patrickaustin8335]

Sister it with a warped stud?? His way you can control it's a great idea.

[@danthecarpenterman9463]

Yes wood can be warped and twisted these days but if you sort through them you can get straight ones , his idea is great but doesn’t apply to me because I don’t use foam

[@NorthernCamping]

Also much faster than waiting around for it to dry.

[@Esiddik]

Noooooooo wayyyyyyyyy !!!!! This popped on my feed but I never seen this method before ! I’ve seen cardboard, sistering studs, and scribing / ripped down 2x4 as shims ! How common is this method , or how professional is it compared to the other methods ? I am just so 😮 right now

[@LandbergTileTV]

We do this all the time, the only drawback is the time you have to wait for the thinset to set up before installing the screws. You simply need to find something else to do for a few hours...

[@Esiddik]

@@LandbergTileTV okay thank you for the reassurance !

[@phoenixpalazzo4089]

Awesome tip brother. Do you recommend pilot hole into the mortar before screwing it down?

[@william7108]

I like your Woody Woodpecker hammer where do you get one of those at PetSmart? Great idea

[@josephbruch5100]

Particular reason why cement board can't be used? If install allows for extra time....ie...place large fans circulating air heavily for 48 hours. I'm assuming it would have to relate to mold growth. Or if you were able to kilz mold guard your studs might that work also? Just curious. Thx

[@divinee.155]

I thinks its because the cement board will absorb the moisture before setting. I am using subfloor glue

[@RealGame101]

Neat trick. Thanks for sharing!

[@charlie83blue3]

Good tip but if the bathtub is install and you have no clearance for that you have to change 2/4 💪

[@Illsky9]

Quick question, why can't this be done with a cement backer board like permabase? I searched high and low for this answer and get conflicting results. My bathroom exterior wall is block here in Florida. Whoever laid the block did an uneven job, some blocks are recessed and others are protruding creating a wavy out of plumb wall when the furring strips are on. I ripped wood shims for the most part but would like to fill in some of the inconsistent spots with wet shims. Can this method be used for only certain areas? Thanks

[@vinnythehandyman]

Great advice! I will try that technique.

[@andy.m7274]

Good idea but also time consuming, if you buy a couple of 2x4’s and sister them onto the existing framing and plumb them up you won’t have to wait 3-4hrs on anything setting, it’s a quicker method all round for the price of a few sticks of lumber.

[@joefowler3106]

Have you seen the price of lumber these days? LOL

[@patrickaustin8335]

That's bs...all studs are shit his way is good

[@LandbergTileTV]

2x4's are $8 and going up here! but we use both methods depending on how far out and out of wack framing is and what materials we have on hand. Simply another method to consider...

[@andy.m7274]

Guys as I said “Good idea” and all I was doing was giving an alternative not trashing the method as I personally have never thought of it and I’ve been a contractor for 20 odd years, haha yes up here in Canada a 2X4 today is $8.50! Tomorrow probably $10! But at the end of the day you just have to work out your schedule and what your time is worth. Landberg I love your Chanel that why I watch and appreciate you always give different options and don’t steer people to your way or no way. Patric if you can’t pick out straight studs then find the best you can, cut it in half and make them straight, again just an idea.

[@renaissanceman8581]

@@andy.m7274 that’s what I do. Buy 2x8’s and use my track saw to make straight 2x4’s. Then I’m screwing my backerboard onto a solid structure. Not thinset.

[@lloydfranciscus973]

Usually we would cut new studs inside and fix off level. Less mess. But I have done this method in past

[@haroldduran9642]

Thank for sharing your knowledge, one question here in south florida almost all studs are metal can this method be used with metal studs?

[@LandbergTileTV]

Maybe someone else would know, we don't have much experience with metal studs.

[@remodz6385]

Not with metal studs. You will need to use shims or blobs of silicone

[@smotyx298]

Like your vids man. Just tried this the other day wet shimming ON hardie board. You say not to!?? Why not? Although It seemed easier than with the foam I did this week. was the one on hardie board compromised ??

[@LandbergTileTV]

Old video, I don't think it's an issue. People claim it sucks the moisture.

[@armandocarlos3805]

Can this be done with Denshield or Densglass?? I would appreciate some input. Thanks 🙏🏽

[@LandbergTileTV]

I don't see why not

[@markoshun]

I use Denshield all the time and twice now have left a piece of scrap in a bucket of water, once for a month. No water absorbed into the core, just as solid as it started. But I don't think Denglass has the same water resistant core.

[@jw1731]

What’s the best way to level the wall if using cement board? I wanted to use Kerdi for the new project but decided to keep cost low with cement board. Thanks

[@srica7366]

This works with cement board. I use a few screws to hold it were I want until dry then fully tighten and add more.

[@divinee.155]

I was thinking to do this method with subfloor glue

[@glenr834]

What about the water soaking into the timber - warping it more?

[@rafaeltapia40]

Thank you for the demonstration. Question: why can’t you wetshim cement board?

[@steverone7623]

Love your videos and explanations

[@dro206NGM]

Thank god I’ve been wanting to you do This

[@michaeltreen8785]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@WilsonAbrego]

Great info and advice as always.

[@craebug1286]

How thick of a gap can you use this mortar technique for? the top 1/4 of the wall is 5/8" off (that is area with the largest gap). Will this still work? Or should I shim it and then do the mortar?

[@LandbergTileTV]

yes, it will work

[@maxbermudez2327]

👌 Execelente como siempre , gracias por compartir tu experencia.

[@LandbergTileTV]

Gracias por mirar y comentar hermano

[@evictioncarpentry2628]

Or quit trying to reinvent the wheel. Cut wood shims and secure them to the stud. They'll never shift, Crack, shrink, fall off and you can screw through them without worry of dislodging it.

[@robertthompson8623]

Can you get the same results using 90 minute hot mud?

[@mrburns2101]

Excellent trick.

[@craigwatson5161]

great tip man!!!!!, thats gonna save me a whack of time

[@21gonza21]

Will the screws go right thru the motar?

[@andrewskears6169]

so if you're walls not flat and you're out of plumb. you do the same thing simultaneously ?

[@elitefeet1]

Cool tip. I just sister a straight stud

[@zagnit]

And lumber prices are crazy right now; this is actually a cheaper option currently.....

[@phoenixmacallan763]

Great tip and video brother, God bless!🙏🏻🙌🏻👍🏻 Question, how do you plumb and straighten cement board??

[@LandbergTileTV]

Thanks! and sister the studs or shims

[@phoenixmacallan763]

@@LandbergTileTV Oh ok, coo brother, I got it thx! 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@charlesviner1565]

New subscriber. Thanks for the video

[@LandbergTileTV]

Thanks for the sub!

[@georges3799]

Is there a risk of the thinset crumbling over time; destabilizing the wall?

[@LandbergTileTV]

Never gonna happen

[@Nite20fly]

Great idea I ❤. thanks you

[@skiingcrazed]

Thank you for this!! I’m going to use my crappy hand me down levels and not my stabilas though 😅 I’m poor and treat them like crystal 😂

[@mattcraztex9940]

One of the reasons why foam board is so much better then heavy cement board.

[@nutritionperfection]

I just run a laser level and then make furring strips. No setup time needed and perfect every time.

[@steverone7623]

Appreciate your explanations

[@sickysin7847]

I work for bath fitters using that material is an absolute waste of time. It's called "butyl tape" look it up save your time, save your life, save your job, save your money. It comes in 1/16"x 1", 1/8"x 1/2", 1/8" x 1", 3/16" x 1". I can do 5 showers by the time that dries. TIP: use spray glue on studs, and or existing wall before installing butyl tape. If installing butyl tape over existing tile wall use black primer. And you do not have to hit your level with a hammer xD!

[@RatedA4Aliens]

So what do you do for hardie backer when studs or wooden wall is not plum

[@mmdodd08]

What do you do when you make your shower wall plum button the wall you’re tying into is not plum?

[@jakewrtt]

Plum the wall you’re tying into using the same method. Or if you’re talking about tying into the drywall where there’s a seam just make sure your tile over laps the seam a little and use schluter trim or pencil trim or whatever you use to hide any uneven spots. If the wall is so bad that won’t work you’re going to have to redo some drywall and shim it flush with the wall board, should only have to that at the seam so not a big deal. Hope that helps.

[@INeedAuserName1029]

Can this be done with metal studs? Idk how metal studs are leaving a gap but they are…

[@unclenealmays5117]

I have learned so much from you guys very appreciative thanx

[@FaithfullySojourning]

could you do this on one of your remodel videos to see it in on a larger scale. maybe next time you run into a really out of wack wall. this seems faster than what i do. i use paint sticks and folded ram board with my brad nailer to do the same thing but can take hours if the wall is really bad.

[@geeb9668]

Wish I had seen this video before I installed my Goboard. I am stuck with a 1/8 bulge. I was thinking about using thinset and a screed. Welcome any ideas

[@josevazquez2548]

Thanks for the tips

[@paulbrown9206]

Awesome advice 👏

[@AstroHBF]

Very useful! Thanks!