Have been caught up in the spiraling adventure of "lets change the toilet". Well needless to say that was what lead to redoing the whole bathroom. (Floor was wrotten.) I am in the process of taking down the floor to ceiling tiles in the tub as we are replacing them also. (50 yrs old). In pulling of the tiles I have discovered that the walls are cement imbedded in wire mesh and quite sturdy. I am curious as to whether I should be ripping these down to or applying the new tiles to it?? Its not that I want to cheap out-I just don't want to make uneccessary work. Any thoughts??

The old tile was set in about 4" thick cement reinforced with wire. This is why they tell you to hide in your bathroom during a tornado, it's as good as a cement bunker. You just have to break away the old tile, apply mastic to the wall and set the new tile of your choice.

Thanks- I actually found I had to strip it down to the 2x4's to repair some other water damage. Loved your description of the tornado bunker!! Thanks for your information! God help me if we suddenly start getting tornado's!!

Second best to the bathroom is a small closet or get underneath a substantial table like the dining room table which you've pushed up against a wall away from windows. Or of course down in the basement if you have one.