[ecdiskin]

We're doing reno of 1970s ranch and the walls are this really thick drywall/plaster/metal mesh stuff...very thick and heavy...a real bear to take down. In the bathroom, there was no shower before so it had tile only around this big tub and floor. We are doing a tub/shower in new location and need to tile a full 8' x 8' wall (wanting to go past the tub and behind the toilet as well...just a full wall of tile...plus the 2.5' x 8' high shower head wall...and other than the cutting into that wall stuff for all the new plumbing, i had hoped to put up wonderboard lite over it, thinset/tape, then redgard before tiling....but I see now that wonderboard against drywall is a no-no...I don't know if what we have is actually drywall...and i wonder if i could just put a coat of redgard on top of existing wall before we put up the wonderboard? Or something else? Just trying to avoid tearing out all this wall if its unnecessary...as it's rock solid and great insulation....

All advice welcome!

 

[TarheelTerp]

...and the wall (surface is) this really thick drywall/plaster/metal mesh stuff...very thick and heavy...a real bear to take down.

What's behind the surface? Framing? Masonry? What?

We are doing a tub/shower in new location
...and i wonder if i could just put a coat of redgard on top of existing wall

Sure. Again... what's behind the wall surfaces?

 

[ecdiskin]

Hi and thanks for response. There are studs behind the thick original wall...it's interior, it's just built like a fortress.

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

It is not drywall. Drywall is well, dry powder compressed and will easily be damaged with a human hand. This is concrete, it is not easily damaged. Much better quality that sheetrock. I really dislike sheetrock for so many reasons. Mostly for the fact is has paper on it. And all kinds of things, bugs included love to eat the paper.



That is what bath and kitchen tile used to be set in. A light concrete with wire mess, usually over plaster walls. That gave the tile a solid sub-straight to be placed. You may take it all out if you like. You may fasten the backboard to it, or use it as is for a backboard. That is most likely nice and straight and plumb.

 

[ecdiskin]

Thanks,...that's reassuring...but just to be clear...and I wish I had a picture, but the top layer almost looks like drywall, but then there's the mesh and more plaster-behind it...so that the actual thickness is like 2x what we're used to seeing...it's just odd b/c as 1970s place, it seems to fall in the age of drywall...definitely not just plaster like our 1927 house. If it's some sort of hybrid, with a drywall layer on top, would you think we'd need to rip it out? or because of the hybrid nature, it's still okay?

 

[ecdiskin]

And I do think there's a paper layer in the sandwich....

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

It is your house, make a decision and do what you like.

 

[huesmann]

the walls are this really thick drywall/plaster/metal mesh stuff...very thick and heavy...a real bear to take down.

I HATE that stuff! Although it is durable AF.