Both of these materials can be used instead of drywall to build truly durable shower walls. You can do this using nails or drywall mud. Log in, over Redgard or other liquid waterpoofing membranes, over Kerdi or other waterproof sheet membranes. Drywall variants are differentiated by their thickness, the additives included in their formulation, their outer coating colors, and their function. The job will go faster if you start by using a waterproof wall material. How to Make a Croton Bushier [3 Easy Plant Tips], Can Grass Seed Freeze? Mold will begin to form on the drywall, which can create a costly mold infestation in your home. Its quick and easy to install, but its just as easy to dismantle. Do not use regular drywall in a shower or bathroom under any circumstances. However, its simply not strong enough to make drywall waterproof. That said, whiteboard doesnt hold back water. If you wish to waterproof the drywall in your shower surround, its essential to install a waterproof membrane on top of the drywall before tiling. Waterproofing drywall above a shower is as doable as waterproofing it anywhere. However, its much easier and more durable to use a true waterproof backer board instead. But be sure to remember one important thing, and that is to ask the representatives in the store what available paint is most water-resistant. As you can imagine, this creates quite a mess and often requires a significant investment to repair. For just a few extra hours of manual labor, you can save potentially hundreds of dollars that would be spent on pretreated drywall while achieving the high level of protection your family deserves. The differences between blueboard, greenboard, and purple drywall can definitely be confusing. How to Waterproof Drywall in a Shower? It is possible to waterproof drywall in a shower by covering the drywall with a waterproof membrane. Cement board is a great drywall alternative for shower surrounds. Finally, while your drywall may be marked as waterproof or fireproof, theres no consistent standard. Not only is standard drywall completely unsuitable for shower surrounds, but it also isnt rated for use in bathrooms at all. You wont have to be bothered with it getting unpleasantly sticky after being in a moist space for too long. Drywall is relatively easy to install and repair, making it a popular choice for homes in every region. The outer surface of your bathroom drywall is ideally waterproof, whether its wax-coated or fiberglass. Do not use water or cleaning agents as these will introduce moisture to the drywall unnecessarily. In every home, some rooms are exposed to increased moisture, a greater potential for water damage, or even more traffic than others. It may expand, become less durable, sometimes fall off, and at worst-case scenarios, make the wall leak. Whether from a, So, is waterproofing your drywall necessary? An inspector may have to physically access your ventilation ducts and look around. You can also use a utility knife to cut out holes for your faucets and fixtures. Finally, apply the drywall mud in the corners and coat it with paint to blend its color with the rest of the wall. This may include soundproofing, waterproofing, fireproofing, or fiberglass finishing, which all costs extra. Drywall is an inexpensive construction material that is used by most residential construction companies to create the interior of your home. This causes mold and rot. Greenboard may be fine for your basement, and whiteboard is fine for regular room partitions. [Grass Seed Storage Essentials]. So when youre considering bathroom drywall, you need a few extra steps to prevent water damage. Peppers Home and Garden is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Make sure you measure correctly how much space you want to be sealed with the drywall and how much of the drywall you need. Are there alternatives to using a waterproofing primer? Drywall will never be as waterproof as cement board or polystyrene foam board. Waterproof backer boards made from cement or polystyrene foam are the best choice for shower walls. It is wiser to use water-resistant drywall to prevent water leaks or water seeping through the tilings. In place of drywall, some homeowners choose to invest in plaster or wood to create their walls and ceilings, although this is a much more expensive option than drywall. Also, having a professional to aid in the installment is a must (to steer clear of disaster). But theres no guarantee that Type C sheetrock from different companies will offer the same degree of fire resistance. Which type of drywall would you consider to be the best for creating a surround for a wall-hung toilet carrier? The slimmest crack or the slightest chip could bring the whole wall crumbling before you even notice. Install water-resistant drywall for the ceiling and non-shower walls in your bathroom. Because of this, it is not very resistant to water damage unless it is properly treated. For the past 12 years, I've been mostly devoted to bathrooms, where I have my own business. But the major setback with the drywall is that it is not water-resistant. An incredibly simple DIY project, waterproofing your drywall requires no more skill than painting a room. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'idealhomeadvice_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',107,'0','0'])};if(typeof __ez_fad_position!='undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-idealhomeadvice_com-medrectangle-4-0')};It may sound odd to use this material for waterproofing your drywall. Can I install drywall by myself? (15 Ways), How to Paint Bathroom Vanity Cabinets? Polyurethane is a powerful chemical that could be harmful if contacted to your skin, so being extra careful will help. They just wont hold. If there are other rooms in your home that often seem humid, it is wise to waterproof them as well. Pros: Paint indeed is inexpensive, and you can find it in any hardware. A good resource can also be your local construction contractor or localarchitect. It is important to note that while water-resistant drywall is better than untreated drywall, it does not offer the mildew resistance that a waterproofing primer will provide. Lay the plastic carefully, overlapping its sections. Its suited to the local climate, especially in areas prone to natural disasters. If you use drywall for your shower walls and paint it with RedGard, the drywall will still be damaged by water. Drywall can instantly become soggy when wet, so it is necessary to remove it. You can also look for drywall that has fiberglass shells instead of paper backing. You also have to be careful about the type of drywall youre using. Waterproof your water-resistant drywall by gluing a waterproof membrane on top of it. What Happens if You Dont Waterproof Drywall in Your Shower? Although it may cost an additional fee, it could save you from spending hundreds of dollars repairing and replacing drywall that becomes moldy due to water damage or humidity. When you suspect mold in your bathroom drywall, you may need professional conformation. Bathroom refurbishments are among the most common DIY projects in the US. Or loosen your screws and connectors. This is because RedGard is designed to be used over cement backer board in your shower, not drywall. You did a great job explaining the differences, so thank you! Ensure your bathroom drywall has a waterproof coating, whether that coating is wax or silica. Because its naturally porous and lightweight, its easy for liquid to seep through and grow mold. Unfortunately, the damage caused by mold or mildew is often hard to notice until it is too late. If you install drywall in your shower, it must be water-resistant drywall. Even if you use water-resistant drywall, its essential to install a waterproof membrane on top of it to add true waterproofing. You should also be careful if youre installing drywall on your bathroom ceiling. Are there alternatives to using a waterproofing primer? The drywall will also begin to bubble and sag, which will cause tiles to come loose from your shower wall. In this post, we will share everything you, The Ultimate Guide to Waterproofing Drywall, Many of us have not considered aspects of, Drywall is an inexpensive construction material that is used by most, In place of drywall, some homeowners choose to invest in plaster or, By waterproofing your drywall in areas such as the, Fortunately, waterproofing drywall is a DIY task so simple that you could successfully complete it with little to no experience or you could call on a, The best way to waterproof your drywall is to use a, Oftentimes, drywall will be quite dusty following a home renovation project. Though you can run the hot water for a few minutes to generate steam, even if the bathroom isnt in use. One reason why homeowners are hesitant to waterproof their drywall is that it essentially adds another step to the process of completing their process. One of the main reasons is to prevent mold and mildew in damp areas of your home. Whether you are building a new home, renovating your existing home, or simply looking to improve the water-resistance of your current abode, we are here to help! When installing or replacing shower walls, never use standard drywall as the wall material. It also toughens up the surface when applied. Many of the options listed above create a great design statement that eliminates the need for paint, saving both money and time. Hence, the question is posed on how to waterproof it. Regardless of where youre installing it, drywall is preferred to brick, concrete, stone, wood, or even plaster. Cons: Using paint is more of a quick fix than a permanent solution. Bitumen is a kind of crude oil that is blackish in color. This will provide a more finished look while adding an extra defense against mold and mildew. According to experts, there are countless ways to make your drywall more resistant to water. For additional protection, paint the drywall with glossy, waterproof paint. Regular drywall works great for the rest of your home, but it has no place in your bathroom. Regular drywall exposed to bathroom conditions is likely to bubble, sag, or develop soft spots. It simply wont provide enough protection to prevent your drywall from being destroyed by water. Fortunately, there are ways to waterproof your drywall to minimize the possibility of this type of damage. Schluter Kerdi 108 Sq Ft Waterproofing Membrane, Schluter Systems Kerdi Board Waterproof Shower Kit, Model KBKIT, How to Fix a Bubble in Drywall Tape [7 Super Simple Steps], How to Waterproof Shower Walls for Tile [7 Pro Steps], How to Unclog a Bathtub Drain [5 Drain-Clearing Steps], How Much Liquid Chlorine to Add to Your Pool, How to Protect Corn from Frost [3 Easy Methods], How to Protect Daffodils from Frost [3 Steps to Beat Frost], How to Get Rid of Mushrooms in Your Yard [6 Amazing Methods], How to Get Rid of Mold on Your Window Sills [7 Methods], Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? A drywall house will cool down more slowly, so it can get stuffy during warmer seasons. Another thing is that you may have to spend extra bucks on this material. When using regular drywall in a shower, reinforcement materials may also be installed. One bonus you might enjoy is the soundproof feature for some brands of sheet membrane. The water-resistant drywall is significantly more expensive per sheet. However, for smaller areas, the price difference may not make much of an impact. There are products that are more durable that you can use. Follow up with carefully mortared tiles or cement for further waterproofing. I have over 20 years of experience in construction. It is commonly known in many countries as asphalt. Here are some suggestions we have for you. Both of these options are good for wall tiles. A combination of RedGard and water-resistant drywall isnt enough to properly protect your shower walls from moisture damage. Can You Wear 14k Gold In The Shower? You can find both oil- and latex-based waterproofing primers made by most paint manufacturers. Paint-on waterproofing products are not strong enough to waterproof drywall in your shower. So be careful when youre selecting the type of sheetrock youll apply in your bathroom. The RedGard product fact sheet lists suitable substrates, but drywall is not among them. If you use drywall for your shower walls, you risk mold, rot, and crumbling walls. Other than using a water-based urethane, there are more ways on how you can waterproof drywall in a shower. It is important, however, to consult the packaging for the waterproofing primer you use to ensure their methods follow a similar procedure. And that could cost lives. Do not fear! Ive spent time helping these experts to build their businesses, while assisting homeowners in caring for their greatest asset. Its a lot of work to hang green board drywall in your shower and install a waterproof membrane on top of it. Use RedGard over cement backer board for a waterproof shower enclosure. This project requires a few special tools and has a bit of a learning curve. [3 Reasons it Wont Work]. Professional sheetrock installation takes a day or two. You can easily cut it, so sizing, positioning, and framing are easier. If you prefer to delegate this project, many professional painting companies will apply a waterproofing primer to your drywall or use waterproofing paint at your request. If you install it yourself, you may end up doing a shoddy job. A bathroom is unlikely to have flames, but if you plan to take long baths with scented candles, be wary of your bathroom drywall. If you hire contractors to mount your drywall, youll end up hiring mechanics (drywall hangers) and a float crew of finishers (mudmen and tapers).