My neighbor was right about caulking tubs before tiling, I gotta eat crow

Old Mr. Harrison three doors down told me two years ago to always caulk the gap between the tub and the backer board before I put tile up. I laughed at him, said it was a waste of time and silicone, that the tile and grout would handle it. Well, last month I had to rip out a shower I did in my own house because water got behind the tile and rotted the green board. I was in there with a hammer and pry bar for a full Saturday, cussing myself out. He came over and handed me a tube of 100% silicone, didn't say I told you so but the look said enough. That little extra step of filling that gap first would've saved me a weekend and $200 in materials. Has anyone else had an old timer give you advice that you ignored and paid for later?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee.casey27d agoMost Upvoted

Nah, I still think green board was your real problem there lol.

nathanburns27d ago

Three years back my buddy Mike tried the exact same green board in his basement shower and it crumbled within six months. He used the right waterproofing too, mesh tape and all that. I dunno man, sometimes it feels like people overthink this stuff. Like is drywall really the make or break for a whole bathroom remodel? Half the houses in my neighborhood probably still have regular sheetrock behind their tile and nobody's complaining. But I get it, you want to do it right and not have mold issues later. Still, it's just drywall at the end of the day.