Tilehelperdan's very first solo shower build

[Tilehelperdan]

Well, tub surround actually. And I guess since I no longer work in the trade, I get to post this in the shallow end. Aint that a B, all that time in the trade, and my first solo project is not a week after I quit.

So, heres the story, mammy needs a new tub surround. And tub. The tub is taken care of, had the plumber come over and set it. Not as pretty as the American Standard (cast November 18, 1964) that came out, but it was on sale and the parents are selling in a couple years. Tomorrow the real fun begins when I fur out the walls and hang the backerboard.

I'll have to see if I can find my before pics, but it was not pretty. Purple walls with ivory fiberglass panels. All original plumbing that left some to be desired. The trip lever was mostly for show, the diverter leaked so the shower head, which sucked, had almost no pressure.

Now, off to take some pics.

[Tilehelperdan]

[muskymike]

Dan, you need tile onna walls.

Looks good so far.

[Tilehelperdan]

I thought I was missing something...

[Marge]

From a girl's perspective, that is a nice tub. Slanted back and armrests. And I agree with Musky, you need some tile.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Don't forget screws to hang the tile on those studs.


You gonna Hydroban some cement board.....or......what's the plan?

[Davestone]

Yeah Dan, i've built a few showers and i gotta tell you(you not bein in the trade and all)that shower is gonna leak all over the place.Oh sure ya got a tub there to catch most of the water,and that's a good idea,but it's gonna go right through those walls.

[jgleason]

Just hang some poly on those walls, drape it into the tub and call it done.

[Tilehelperdan]

You guys are way off. You see, you guys are always concerned with preventing water from getting to the substrate. I, being an industry leader, have taken this a step further. I simply have no substrate for the water to get to. It has been a chore getting those tiles up, though....


Actually, I kinda bent myself over on this one. I had the tub set about an inch further out to make up for the smaller bulnose I was going to use. Went to pick it up today and menards was sold out. Ma found some stuff at Lowes she likes, so now I get to fur out the back wall a ton for nothing, and make cuts on the face of the tub.

Off to start shimming.

[Tilehelperdan]

Today I hung the durock, taped it and fixed the bow in the back wall. Also patched in the drywall around the tub. Tomorrow it gets the hydroban, if I have time. First day of school and all.

[Levi the Tile Guy]

Tell us you didn't use sheetrock screws there Dan....






You know you need 6/32" instead right

[bbcamp]

Dan, don't let these guys get to you. I'm sure you'll build a very nice tub surround. Something your Ma will be happy to sell!

[Tilehelperdan]

Thanks Bob, I knew you were on my side.


So, I do have a question for you guys. The cheapo tub seems to have a fun design flaw. You know, it was dirt cheap and all. So, on the back wall the lip on it is pretty much the same thickness as the backerboard. Which means that the tile is going to be proud of the tub. Now, I don't really care, but was wondering how you guys handle something like this.

Off to do the second coat of hydroban.

[Marge]

Dan,

You saying the tile would hang into the tub area?

[Tilehelperdan]

I are Marge. I'll just hang the tile like normal and cauk it. It is what it is. On the plus side, it should make a great drip edge on the back wall. Lol.