Installing tile over painted sheetrock

sheslostcontrol

Is it OK to install tile over painted sheetrock, without using the backer board? The area to be tiled is a bathroom tub enclosure (and the walls around it). Do they make waterproof glue & grout? I just want to be sure I don't have water seeping through to the sheetrock if I do this.

racebum

i'm curious to see what some of the tile pros on here say. generally it's okay in a kitchen when it's only cosmetic. my worry with a bathroom is impact from cleaning, wear and tear etc is going to crack the grout a little too easy. i've also seen tile backer sheetrock but have no clue how it compares. maybe bud or one of the other really good tile guys can help out.

oh'mike

Hi there,Sorry it took so long to get you an answer----

No to all of your questions.

Drywall and green board are not allowed in a wet area, I recommend Durrock.

Use a modified thimset (powdered--you will need to mix it with a drill)

Even the best grouts are not 'waterproof' moisture will get through in tiny amounts.
Epoxy grouts are the closest thing to waterproof--however a house moves a bit throughout the year and tiny cracks can appear over the years.

---Mike--

sheslostcontrol

Ok so I am rethinking the tile now. Could I just paint another layer of semi-gloss and put something waterproof on top of that?

oh'mike

There are glue on plastic tub surrounds--Look kind of tacky though.

Removing the drywall in the area to be tiles and replacing with Durrock should not be to difficult--

You don't need to rock the walls all the way to the ceiling ,so no taping is required.

Often the drywall is removed to 6 feet above the tub flange--(Durrock comes in 3'x5' sheets.)

Some people go to 5' on the side walls. I,like to go higher.