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Demo to studs, or leave well enough alone?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Redoing the shower. Just decided to forego steam option, and was going to demo to studs new CG pan, new tile. Checked the valve access and found it is an old style mortar bed. Also note that there is a very thick white thinset layer in addition to the gray part. It is more than an inch thick not including tile! If I'm able to pop off the tiles, should I just rent a grinder, and tile over existing mortar bed (after sealing any cracks) OR demo to studs, and go kerdiboard? By the way, the copper pipes are entombed in about 6" of mortar at the bottom of the wall cavity, so a simple upgrade to 3/4" now not so simple. This is going to be "one of those projects." If demo, any tips on tools? Gas powered jackhammer

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Comments (5)

kudzu9
8 years ago
Are you talking about grinding down the surface that the new tile would sit on? Personally, I would demo it down to the studs and install shimmed cement board for a totally flat and waterproof surface. If you want to have a decent result with tiling, the tiling surface needs to be really flat.
Tom Damratoski
Original Author
8 years ago
Yep, that's what I'm leaning towards doing it. Looks like it will be a real bear to get this stuff out....but that gives me an excuse to rent some high powered demo tools, I guess! I will start a reno thread shortly....
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kudzu9
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I didn't make that comment lightly as I could tell how much work a demo would be. However, I have been through two different bathroom re-tilings in the last year, and my tile contractor was insistent on the walls being dead flat. And I don't just mean a whole new surface. He spent two days on each job after the initial demo with a straight edge and shims on the studs to get the cement board screwed down plumb, flat, and at 90 degrees at each corner. When I saw what was involved in getting the tile to fit, I could understand why he was so particular.

Good luck...maybe some of it will be fun!
kats737
8 years ago
So we were in that position a year ago. We chose to knock off the existing plastic tiles, and scrape the mastic down, refill the wall surface with plaster, and then waterproof with Redgard.

Yeah... it was a huge PITA but we had to keep the bathroom and bathub in somewhat working condition while we lived through the remodel. I know demo would have caused a huge mess, but it would have been over relatively quickly. And then we would have had sound, flat walls on which to tile.

So I'd say if you can demo, go with that.
Tim Sutherland
8 years ago
In my current reno in my 1962 mid century modern I'm glad I went to the studs. The hidden water damage, illegal electrical, cracked plumbing and other issues I have found means I will sleep well once the job is done.

I would rather open all the walls up and find there are no issues, than find them 3 months after the job is completed.

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