How to repair a bathroom wall?
I noticed that my bathroom wall needs replacement. The tiles are all stained, I tried cleaning it with bathroom cleaning solutions, but nothing works. Should I repair it or replace it, how?
Posted in How To
I noticed that my bathroom wall needs replacement. The tiles are all stained, I tried cleaning it with bathroom cleaning solutions, but nothing works. Should I repair it or replace it, how?
Posted in How To
What kind of stains? Rust? Soap scum? CLR will deal with rust.
If you decide to retile, go to the tile section of a home improvement store, like Lowe’s, Menard’s, Home Depot, etc. They often offer training sessions on how to use the product. It’s not terribly hard to do, as long as you have the proper tools. They can teach you how to do this, and sell you the tools. You’ll feel proud of the work you do, too.
If you do decide to do this, be sure to put up a cement board backer, and to follow the instructions on all material. The secret to doing a great job is to do a great job in the prep work.
Elbow grease works best. It is not an easy job. Most people think that grout can not be cleaned, but that is not true. You need to get a good brush and the right cleaning solution. You may also need to re-grout.
But if the tiles are “bowing” out from the wall at all (this especially happens at the bottom near the tub) then this is an indication that water has seeped behind the tiles and the integrity of the wall is in doubt. If this is the case then remove the old tile and replace it. The easiest way to remove old ceramic tile is to remove the wall board and the tile in one step (the backer board or more often drywall behind the tile will need to be replaced anyway).
To install a new wall: replace new dry wall with moisture resistant drywall to about an inch or 2 below the top of where the new ceramic tile will be (this way you don’t have a seam to mud). Put up either hardy board or cement board on the wall where the ceramic tile will be, make sure you hold up off of the tub a good 1/4″.
With either thinset or moisture resistant mastic apply the tile. Then wait a good day before you grout. I would use a Silicone sealer to mix in with the grout.