[PGerard]

Good Day. Here is my plan, but I am at a loss as to how the sheetrock/tile meets up with the shower base...

I plan to install moisture proof sheetrock, but do I install the sheetrock before the acrylic base, or after? In other words, should the sheet rock be installed so as to but up with the lip on the base? If so, then I would expect I should install the ceramic to overlap the lip. If that is the process, do I then run a bead of silicone between the bottom of the last row of tiles and the base?

The only other thing I could see is installing the sheetrock first, then the base, and then running the ceramic down to but up against the lip, but then I'd be pretty afraid of water getting in there, and I have been told numerous times to not add caulk to the inside of a shower, as I could create a moisture dam.

As you can see I could use some help here. I looked for information, videos, etc. without much luck.

Thank-You!

Pat

[mfrench]

Standard Sheetrock is not recommended for tile prep around tubs. You will want to use a quality backer board made for this purpose. This video may help you to understand the basics about this application. Good luck


Tile Backer Board Installation Tips - YouTube

[massplumber2008]

Hi Pat

As presented by Mfrench, you should not plan on using a moisture-resistant sheetrock here... not it's intended purpose, especially if you are tiling, OK? Instead, use a hardibacker (or similar) cement board. Click on the link provided above.

Most likely the manufacturer of the shower base you purchased has specific requirements for your shower base, so I would STRONGLY advise you to get the proper instructions. However, in most cases, the shower base gets installed first in a bed of structolite perlited gypsum or mortar and it gets set into that setting substrate and then in about a 1/16" off the studs. A dollop of silicone is squeezed in between the base and where it almost makes contact with the studs (reduces squeaking against the studs) and the base is leveled from side to side and front to back and secured IF REQUIRED.

After the setting substrate dries, the cement board is installed so it is 1/2" above the lip of the shower base. Some people fill the space with silicone and some people do NOT! The idea here is to keep the cement board off the shower base entirely to prevent any WICKING EFFECT of water climbing and harming the cement board or tile/thinset itself.

Again, though, each manufacturer will tell you what they want, how to secure the base, what to set the base in, etc. I would strongly suggest you get the exact instructions for your base so you ens up with a job that will last a long time!

Tile will be set so it is 1/8" off the base of the shower (use shims or spacers temporarily) and then when the tile has dried you will fill that line along the base with a color-matched, mildew-resistant caulking for best result.

There is lots more to know here...

Taping of cement board seams/corners, taping of joints/seams where moisture-resistant board (used outside shower area) meets up to cement board, keeping all wall board 1/2" of the floor, etc. so I suggest using YouTube a lot before you start the job, or bring in someone that has decent knowledge, OK?

Mark