Tiling over gypsum

[Hookmaster]

I am in the process of regrouting a bathtub/shower and while getting the old grout out I discovered several loose tiles. I took them off and what happened is the paper of the sheetrock got wet (mid 1960s house) from the cracked grout. I don't have the funds to redo it the right way or put an insert in at this time so I plan to clean up the tiles and reinstall them. What do put on the exposed gypsum in order for the tile cement to work properly?

[amateurfishing]

u can probably by that orange stuff, some vinyl, or a thin as paper waterproof product in the tiling or plumbing area of your local store. but the issues you may run into are 1. how many others tiles are actually like that or very close? 2. anything that you can find and may work will work for that area but may cause faster decaying issues surrounding it. I hate to say it but it may be a bigger problem just waiting to happen. I am a bigger fan of biting the bullet and just doing it right for the first time so there is no time or money wasted. instead of trying to reinstall tiles, maybe just cover bad areas with plastic, tarp, tape, adhesive for time being until you want to tackle bigger job properly.

[delcecchi]

I am in the process of regrouting a bathtub/shower and while getting the old grout out I discovered several loose tiles. I took them off and what happened is the paper of the sheetrock got wet (mid 1960s house) from the cracked grout. I don't have the funds to redo it the right way or put an insert in at this time so I plan to clean up the tiles and reinstall them. What do put on the exposed gypsum in order for the tile cement to work properly?

Is it really that expensive to re-tile a shower, if you do the work yourself? 40 square feet of tile, rent a saw, some cement board, thinset or whatever is used these days.

Even cheaper would be some of that plastic or paneling stuff they sell. like this

4 by 8 sheet for 25 bucks. .07 thick.

Take down the sheetrock and tile, put up hardibacker, stick this stuff to it, caulk, and good to go. Do the whole job around the tub for $100 or thereabouts. Not as pretty as tile but won't fall off the wall.

[Archtek]

I hate to say it, but I think you probably have a good start on the same problem elsewhere in the tub/shower. Sheetrock as a backer in a shower is a REALLY bad thing; frankly, I'm amazed it went this long.

I would really recommend redoing it within the tub area. If you DIY it you will need approximately 60sf inexpensive tile ($85), a bag of mortar ($18), a bag of grout ($14) and 4 sheets Durock. Add another $75 for some tools (notched trowel, grout float, score & snap cutter, etc), sponges, caulk, etc. and you have invested around $225 total. For that money you don't have to worry about it again.

[Surface Tension]

He said he didn't have the funds right now.

If its damp let it dry and then a coat of primer.

[Hookmaster]

Talked to the "tile guy" at Menards and he said to skim coat it with sheet rock mud. That still would not seal it and I would think would pull moisture out of the tile cement and not adhere well. I will go with Surface Tension's recommendation. He gives good advice. Yeah, there are other things to spend money on this summer, roof, concrete driveway parking spur, wider gate in the fence for the snowmobile trailer, etc. I appreciate all the options provided.

[Tom7227]

I had the same problem in my early 60's house that had plastic tile in the bathroom. Going to school and not much money. I patched it together several times over several years and it never worked out that well. I finally put in a fiberglass surround and it worked out well. This was a number of years ago and I was able to buy a 3 piece surround. I don't know if they are still available but that worked well for me.

[crothmeier]

I had the same issue in my bathroom (50s house)a number of years back and ended up peeling the tiles off, drying it down, priming it and putting a 3pc vinyl surround in from the big box store. I patched tiles three times in two weeks and then bit the bullet. It was about the least expensive fix I could find.

[nofishfisherman]

If funds are tight I'd probably go the route that Surface Tension mentioned. Fix it up the best you can for now knowing you'll probably have to revisit the issue a little later down the road. Hopefully you limp along with the patch job until you have the funds and time to get in there and do it right.

The problem I usually have in a project like that is that it might seem like its just a matter of tearing out the old and replacing with new but once you start doing that it gets easy to start eyeballing the floor tile and wanting to replace that so it matches, or wanting to replace the shower fixture while you've already got everything torn up. Pretty soon you start eyeballing the whole bathroom and everything looks like it should go. To fight this from happening its best to keep your wife out of the area while you are doing the work. Wives have a knack for finding a way of making a project much bigger than you had planned.

[DANR]

To fight this from happening its best to keep your wife out of the area while you are doing the work. Wives have a knack for finding a way of making a project much bigger than you had planned.

Best piece of advice I've seen on these forums, or anywhere else