Do you have to use backerboard if you are tiling the wall/backsplash in a bathroom? I don't think my contractor used it. What can I do if he didn't use it?

You don't HAVE to (but it IS the best to use)... Greenboard works well too and is commonly used. But NOT regular drywall, fools and cheats do that to save a few bucks knowing they will be long gone before trouble occurs.

Backerboard (or cement board) is best and would give you grief 5 or 10 years down the road if the grout cracks in even one place.


EDIT: Just noticed you said wall / backsplash. If you mean near a sink... greenboard is fine. I would use only backerboard / cementboard in the shower/ bath area as that sees a LOT of water/moisture.


I used greenboard for all walls except the shower area where I used cementboard as I did ceramic tile on them on both my bathrooms.

Yeah it might be overkill, but I figure for a few bucks more in materials... better to over-do it then risk having problems later.

And yeah... the fools that built my house used regular sheetrock where the tile was attached... the results were not nice when it started failing.

Is there anything I can use to seal the grout around the tube since he didn't use backerboared?

I'd use any sort of clear sealer you find at a hardware store... I can't make recommendations on a particular one... but you have to be vigilant on the caulking at the base and corners... thats where leaks will happen first. It needs redone every so many years... exact numbers vary with type used as well as other factors that vary house to house. It leaks, swells and softens the sheetrock.. allowing grout to crack... allowing more water in to furth damage wall, grow mold etc. It's a vicious cycle when it starts.

So the area is actually a tub enclosure not a backsplash?

Too late now, but next time hire a tile setter that knows the rules. All you can do now is keep an eye on the caulk and seal the grout every few years. Neither will stop water much, but it'll help.

Jaz