tiling shower wall

beth5542 · 03-09-2009, 04:23 PM

The walls on the side of our shower are the lath and plaster we have taken the old tile off and don't know if we should put up the backer board or try to repair the walls with plaster what is the best way? We are giong back with tile

Bob Mariani · 03-09-2009, 04:35 PM

remove the plaster, install 1/2 cement backer board, tape seams , waterproof coating , then tile

beth5542 · 03-09-2009, 04:48 PM

Do you have any suggestions on how to remove the plaster

**Termite** · 03-09-2009, 05:18 PM

You don't want that plaster in a wet area. It would be best to remove it. You can cut the edges very carefully with a keyhole saw to define the edges and then wreck it with a hammer and a pry bar. Remove the lath and plaster.

Shim the studs as necessary with wood strips to apply 1/2" backerboard flush with the face of the adjoining plaster. Use backerboard screws. Then tape and thinset the backerboard seams, and waterproof it with RedGuard or Kerdi. Then hang tile with thinset mixed from a bag (pre-mixed isn't great for showers).

The Tile Council of North America has some pretty good installation practices on their website.

Ron6519 · 03-09-2009, 05:21 PM

It sounds like this is not in the shower. The tile application you describe is an odd one. Older homes with tile were done in a mud job. The only plaster was above the tile. The fact that you got the tile off without destroying the plaster entirely is amazing. Sounds like it was put on by a homeowner after the initial installation.
Definitely remove the plaster and lath. If it's wood lath, take the plaster off first by hammering the walls from the bottom up. This will break the keys and it will fall to the floor. After all the plaster is all cleaned up, remove the wood lath.
These walls will not be plumb. The framing might not be even close to being on the same plane. You might have to shim the wall to get it close to plumb. Install the concrete board to just below the tile level if you're not going all the way to the ceiling. Use a mold free sheet good product for the rest of the way up. Tape all seams
Ron

03-09-2009, 04:23 PM	#1
beth5542 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	tiling shower wall The walls on the side of our shower are the lath and plaster we have taken the old tile off and don't know if we should put up the backer board or try to repair the walls with plaster what is the best way? We are giong back with tile

03-09-2009, 04:35 PM	#2
Bob Mariani Remodeling Contractor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 3,590	tiling shower wall remove the plaster, install 1/2 cement backer board, tape seams , waterproof coating , then tile

03-09-2009, 04:48 PM	#3
beth5542 Newbie Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	tiling shower wall Do you have any suggestions on how to remove the plaster

03-09-2009, 05:18 PM	#4
Termite Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 6,520	tiling shower wall You don't want that plaster in a wet area. It would be best to remove it. You can cut the edges very carefully with a keyhole saw to define the edges and then wreck it with a hammer and a pry bar. Remove the lath and plaster. Shim the studs as necessary with wood strips to apply 1/2" backerboard flush with the face of the adjoining plaster. Use backerboard screws. Then tape and thinset the backerboard seams, and *waterproof it* with RedGuard or Kerdi. Then hang tile with thinset mixed from a bag (pre-mixed isn't great for showers). The Tile Council of North America has some pretty good installation practices on their website.

03-09-2009, 05:21 PM	#5
Ron6519 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 9,519	tiling shower wall It sounds like this is not in the shower. The tile application you describe is an odd one. Older homes with tile were done in a mud job. The only plaster was above the tile. The fact that you got the tile off without destroying the plaster entirely is amazing. Sounds like it was put on by a homeowner after the initial installation. Definitely remove the plaster and lath. If it's wood lath, take the plaster off first by hammering the walls from the bottom up. This will break the keys and it will fall to the floor. After all the plaster is all cleaned up, remove the wood lath. These walls will not be plumb. The framing might not be even close to being on the same plane. You might have to shim the wall to get it close to plumb. Install the concrete board to just below the tile level if you're not going all the way to the ceiling. Use a mold free sheet good product for the rest of the way up. Tape all seams Ron

tiling shower wall