Do You Need to Put Cement Board Behind a Tile Back Splash?

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08-01-2012, 10:45 AM	#1
Bathroom Remodels and Schluterville Grad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,242	Backsplash: Backer board or Drywall OK, how many of you folks are tiling back splashes directly to drywall (remodels) ? and if you are tearing out the drywall to put up backer board why? This is not a trick question, I am looking for your knowledge and thought process...not a trick question. __________________ Pat Harris PAMM Enterprises "Why call a handyman when you can call A Handy WOMAN ?

08-01-2012, 10:49 AM	#2
Hershey Pennsylvania Tile Contractor Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Annville - Pennsylvania Posts: 6,180	Pat, the only time I have ever torn out sheetrock is when tile was stuck to it and I was putting up new tile splash therefore more sheetrock. As for water at the sink area I would be far more concerned about using silicone to make sure water does not penetrate that transition If the drywall is painted for the remodel maybe take a sanding block over it to rough it up a bit.

08-01-2012, 01:04 PM	#3
South East PA Tile Contractor Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Delaware County, PA Posts: 6,584	I have never tiled a backsplash on cement board, I have demo'd many like Jon and install drywall for the new splash, I dont want to race the cbu sucking the moisture out of the mastic or thinset that I am using, backsplashes are slow process drywall works perfect. __________________ -Derrick ***New Here?? Click here to add your name to your signature*** Check out my Blog and see my latest tiling projects! Specializing in Kerdi Showers

08-01-2012, 04:08 PM	#4
Retired Moderator -- Wisconsin Tile Man & Musky Guide Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Springbrook WI Posts: 16,083	Hi Pat, I have never put backer board in for a backsplash. I always tile on the drywall. I had one customer that put CBU over the drywall. Also I have had some new construction where the builder put CBU up where the tile was going. When I asked him why he did that he said I thought tile was supposta go on CBU. __________________ Musky Mike Corrado Custom Tile Kerdi Shower Specialist Dreams are like tasting a little bit of the future today. Keep dreaming and it will come true. New here? Check this out .

08-01-2012, 05:20 PM	#5
Tile Man, Shenandoah, VA. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Grottoes VA Posts: 687	To me it's just there to look pretty. __________________ Bruce

08-01-2012, 05:26 PM	#6
Texas Tile Contractor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 8,499	Drywall.....It's all you need. __________________ Laz... A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

08-01-2012, 09:25 PM	#7
Tile Contractor -- Seattle, WA. Join Date: May 2007 Location: Seattle Posts: 1,291	I go over drywall as well. Usually some liquid membrane behind the sink, just up an inch or two in case water pools at the transition. How about if during demo the outer layer of paper comes off the drywall but there is no gypsum exposed, just inner brown bag paper? I've been going over this too, lately, hope I'm not a hack. With 100% mesh taping.

08-01-2012, 10:01 PM	#8
Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Waunakee, WI Posts: 1,418	I typically go over the drywall that's there. If I tear out anything down to the studs, I'll replace it with dens-shield. I'm not concerned about moisture, I just figure that since I have the opportunity may as well. The waterproof face extends the adjustment time of your tiles. the edges are flat, so you don't have to deal with a dip along the top or bottom of your backslash. Another bonus is I can get 4x8 sheets for only 8$ more than a sheet of drywall. __________________ Hank

08-02-2012, 07:08 AM	#9
Vendor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Florida Posts: 1,017	I normally go over drywall. If it is painted then I scuff it up, for better adhersion. I've never demo'ed just a backsplash, so I can't comment on that. __________________ Picking them up and putting them down. Gary

08-02-2012, 10:19 AM	#10
Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Atlanta Georgia, but working across North America Posts: 168	Backer board or Drywall on Backsplash The two places to find authority on this are the building codes (IRC) and the TCNA Handbook. Codes restrict drywall use behind tile to DRY applications and this certainly meets that qualification. TCNA has two assemblies addressing this: W-242-12 and W-243-12 and again both call out dry area applications being acceptable for drywall as a backer. Sounds to me like you are able to be legal either way. Only caution I offer, as others have, I would always suggest some type of waterproofing at least part way up the board to be safe - especially around a sink area. Only other concern I would address is if you use Glass tile (many do today) and those assemblies do not allow drywall - they call out mortar bed or cement backer units only. I'm getting ready to do my own backsplash at home with glass tile and will most likely do just as you will - go directly over the drywall with a coating of waterproofing for safety. Steve __________________ Steve Steve Rausch Professional Consultant to Tile Industry Cell 404-281-2218 Rauschsteve@comcast.net

08-02-2012, 03:28 PM	#11
Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Gotham City Posts: 400	No Backsplash - Water Damage - What do you see in the field In my previous office, I have a vanity setup with a a fairly shallow sink/faucet in the bathroom and it was a constant chore on touching up the wall behind the faucet. Alot of overspray, etc - just due to shallow sink, etc....There was no backsplash provisioned. For all you tile pros out there, how often when you guys are doing backsplash installs on exisiting *rooms*, non remodeled fresh sheetrock, etc are you seeing damaged walls in this area. MY PREVIOUS laundry room vanity did not have a backsplash. It did have a 14" Deep Sink...and a high look kitchen style faucet which did play some part on how much/how little water hit this area. Fast forward, on my new laundry room setup, I'm entertaining the idea of no backsplash again. Not sure if this is good or not in the long term of things.. Revision Note: as my thread got moved into this thread. Are you pros seeing damaged drywall backsplash areas more often than not when you are in the field doing sales/installs. OR you seeing fairly intact drywall backsplashes. This is not a kitchen sink so it doesn't see multiple use/extended use everyday. Just a large laundry/vanity sink __________________ alan Last edited by chefwong; 08-02-2012 at 04:27 PM.

08-03-2012, 11:16 PM	#12
Utah Tile Contractor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Riverton, Utah, Salt Lake City Posts: 2,276	I have never seen damaged drywall (as a result of water) near a sink in a residential home. __________________ Bryan EX Tile Contractor Positive Tile and Stone Salt Lake City, Utah

08-05-2012, 01:08 AM	#13
Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 94	Drywall is fine, quick pass with hydroban behind sink and good to go. Easier and cleaner than cbu or other backers. __________________ don

08-05-2012, 10:29 AM	#14
Pondering retirement daily Senior Contributor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 28,231	Quote: I have never seen damaged drywall (as a result of water) near a sink in a residential home until the granite counter installers get at it __________________ Paul1 For when DIY isn't such a good idea... Houston TX area Kitchen & Bath Remodeling http://CabotAndRowe.com

08-05-2012, 11:09 AM	#15
Texas Tile Contractor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 8,499	__________________ Laz... A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.

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Do You Need to Put Cement Board Behind a Tile Back Splash?

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