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You don’t need any cement board under the tub. It is far more important to have a sturdy layer of ply under the tub.
Does durock go under tub?
Get all that 1/4 inch plywood crap out of there, make sure subfloor is sound and not rotting before you glue/screw the durock with durock screws (larger heads). There’s no real reason to have the cement backer board under the typical tub.
What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board?
Caulk the gap Ideally, you would leave a 1/8 inch gap which would then have the sealant applied to it. Either stopping the cement board above the tub flange or alternately shimming it out and dropping it down near the tub would both be good options.
Which side of cement board faces out?
Cement board has a smooth side and a rough side. Face the rough side out if you will be using thin-set mortar adhesive to install the tile but the smooth side out if you will be using latex mastic.
Do you have to remove toilet to install vinyl flooring?
Remove any carpeting or old vinyl flooring and temporarily remove the baseboard. If you are installing vinyl planks in a bathroom, you may need to temporarily remove the toilet or you can install around it. If the subfloor is unlevel, you can fix low spots with a self-leveling product and sand or grind down high spots.
How do you level a floor under a bathtub?
Put a layer of plastic on the floor, mix up some deck mud (you can often buy it preproportioned, just add the appropriate amount of water), lay it in piles, then set the tub down. Use a level and smush it in place until level, then let it sit, preferably overnight.
How do you insulate behind a bathtub?
The insulation behind the tub or shower should be equivalent to the insulation in the rest of the exterior walls and should be covered with an air barrier of cement backer board, rigid foam insulation, or non-paper-faced drywall that is sealed at the edges and seams to provide a continuous air seal.
How do you cement board around a bathtub?
The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in.
What is underneath a bathtub?
Bath traps, a type of “slab leave-out”, are located under bathtubs. Why leave a big hole under a bath tub? Generally these openings are left for the convenience of plumbing contractors in case the plumbing needs to be moved or serviced.
What is the best flooring for a small bathroom?
Some of the best flooring ideas for a small bathroom include the following options.
- Ceramic tile.
- Cork tile.
- Laminate flooring.
- Luxury vinyl tile.
- Natural stone tile.
- Porcelain tile.
What do I put under my shower floor?
Most installers recommend putting a bed of mortar down for the shower base to sit on. Check the manufacturer’s installation instructions and see what they recommend in case the use of mortar is discouraged.
Do you put flooring under bathtub?
In new construction, the tub is often installed before the walls, so there is no finished floor underneath! Installing the tub after the floor means also that they have to be more careful in not messing up the soft vinal – scratches, gouges, etc.
Can you use cement board in a shower?
Cement Board and a Sheet Membrane Kerdi can also be installed directly over standard drywall in a shower because, when installed correctly, it creates a continuous waterproof barrier.
Does drywall go over the tub flange?
4 Answers. Ideally, drywall should be in the next room, or at least around the corner. If you think you simply can’t do that, stop the drywall at the top of the tub surround or shower enclosure and switch to backer board from there down. And use moisture-resistant drywall, at least.
What kind of floor goes under a bathtub?
Bathroom floors are notorious for suffering water damage and the area under the bathtub is no exception. Flooring repairs can be intimidating, but the subfloor under the tub generally consists of plywood secured over floor joists and is fairly simple to replace — once you get access to it.
Do I need a vapor barrier behind cement board in shower?
You still need a vapor barrier with cement board, although in this case the barrier can go behind the board. Cement board is heavy enough and breathable enough to take the moisture without a problem. By having the vapor barrier behind the cement board you stop the moisture going further into the wall.
Can you put vinyl flooring under bathtub?
If you already have sheet laminate in your bathroom you should be in good shape. You can lay your vinyl plank flooring right on top of it. Just make sure it’s flat and not peeling up anywhere. You’ll still want to add 100% silicone caulk in front of the bathtub which I go into next.
What is the best backer board for a shower?
Cement board is a good, reliable backer board that works well on both floors and walls. Keep in mind that most tile setters err on the side of caution and brush a waterproofing membrane on top of cement board when it is in wet areas like showers or tub surrounds.
Can you use 1/4 cement board on floors?
Floors: A 1/4-inch minimum thickness is needed, but thicker panels are also fine. Walls: Use 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch-thick cement board, not 1/4-inch. The extra thickness is needed to span the studs and provide a solid base for the tile.
How long should cement board screws be?
Drill screws through the backerboard sheets every 6 to 8 inches. Position the screws at least 1/2-inch, but no more than 2 inches, from the edge of the sheet.
Should I insulate under my bathtub?
When the time comes to switch out an old bathtub, insulate underneath the new one to boost its heat-retaining properties. While bathtub materials vary in how well they keep bathwater warm, it’s easy and inexpensive to increase any bathtub’s heat-retaining properties with insulation.
How do you insulate around a bathtub?
The most popular way to insulate a bathtub is to coat the outside of the bath walls with spray on foam and then fill the spaces between the walls or outer panels with either more spray foam or another more rigid type of insulation.
