so my contractor placed “greenboard” all throughout my bathroom in preparation for tile.

however now i am hearing that this not right and really is a cheap way to prep walls for tile.

i’m concerned because i want this bathroom to last and i dont want my downstairs neighbor complaining of leaks

one contractor told me to get this special compound that is around $500.00 a 5 gallon bucket, is this right?

i tried my best to “learn up” on all this but there is so much contradictory info out there.

anybody with real world experience out there?
thanks


Comments

  1. 8.57 There is no need for Laticrete unless it is a shower stall or bath tub enclosure with shower head also.There are many good adhesives & thinset materials along with grout & tile sealers that will prevent moisture wicking into the board & also good quality work with a good Sealant on the wall to tub transitions

  2. You don’t make any mention of the way the shower base is being set up, but if not using a tub (and only using tiles to create a shower) – it is critical that you find someone who knows what they are doing. We just tore out a bathroom that had a tile shower with tile over greenboard (as you have seen this is bad) and tile over cement on the floor. NOT ENOUGH! The replacement used a four part system involving membrane, sheeting, cement etc. etc! all leveled to an exact science. Good luck and give whoever put up the greenboard a kick in the ass 🙂 Also, I’m sure I’ll get yelled at, but I think it is ok to use greenboard behind the tile on the bathroom walls – but NEVER in a shower or area which will get consistent water on it (ie. tub/shower surround, backspash etc)

  3. Green Board is a water resistant sheetrock, however it can still get mold over time because it is paper. It is NOT advisable to have a Green Board ceiling. That is because if there is a leak above the ceiling water can pool up and get heavy. This might cause a section of sheet rock to crash down. There is paperless sheet rock now that is more mold resistant.
    For tiled surfaces cement board (Durock, Wonderboard, Hardi Back etc) works best.

  4. 8:57 get over yourself.

    you have no idea what they are doing.

    maybe they are just re-doing the bathroom with every single thing going back in the same spot. do you need an architect for that? of course not.

    try to be more condescending next time.

  5. Your contractor needs to use Laticrete Liquid applied waterproofing membrane. there are different types depending on your substrate and your finish (tile, wood, stone). You only need it in the “wet” areas, not under every single tile. He also needs to use the right waterproof mortar (it’ll be matched to the Laticrete system).

    Had you an architect, they would have specified all of this for you. Live and learn. Now your contractor is going to charge you more money, unless you are extremely lucky.

  6. yes, there is a product you can use.
    it is called membrane. home depot or a tile store should have it.the membrane goes over the board.

    for future bathroom renovations, use
    durock or wonderboard
    3/4 of an inch thick..3 feet by 5 feet size.
    it is cement board