The area behind your shower tiles is one of the most likely places for water damage. So, if you notice signs like brown stains, warped tiles, and dampness on the bathroom wall, it’s likely due to water damage. It’s important to fix this issue quickly to protect your shower drywall from rot and damage.
So, in this blog, our experts have discussed a step-by-step process to fix water damage behind shower tiles. It will help you resolve the problem before it can cause excessive damage.
Steps to Fix Water Damage Behind Shower Tiles
1. Find the Source of Leak & Fix It
Your bathroom is one of the most common places for water damage. So before you start the repairs, you should go to the root of the issue and find the source of the water damage.
It can be due to slow drips from a leaking pipe, resulting in water damage over time. If it’s a burst pipe, fix it quickly to prevent future issues. For larger leaks, get help from professional plumbers.
2. Gather Necessary Supplies
You’ll need the following tools to complete the task effectively.
- Utility Knife
- Putty Knife
- Screwdriver
- Water-proof adhesive
- Trowel
- Replacement Tiles
- Tape
- Cement Boards
3. Remove the Shower Tiles
Start by removing the shower tiles. To do that, use a putty knife and carefully pry away the tiles from the damaged backboard. Repeat the process until you expose two more inches of drywall beyond the damaged portion.
Note: If your tiles are intact and not damaged by moisture, place them in warm water and a detergent solution to make cleaning easy.
4. Cut Out the Damaged Drywall
Inspect the damaged drywall and pull the damaged parts out with your hand. Then, cut out an additional 2 inches of drywall with a utility knife. Remove any nails or pieces of adhesive holding the drywall.
5. Remove Rotten Studs
Again, survey the area closely and look at the studs. If they are water-damaged, replace them. However, you may need to cut more of your drywall to do that. If there is no water damage, clean the visible wood frame with a disinfectant to prevent mold growth in the future.
6. Replace the Drywall With Cement Board
With a utility knife, cut out a cement board patch of a similar thickness to the drywall. You should cut it so that there is at least a 2-inch gap between the cement board and the rest of the material.
7. Fix the Cement Board
Next, use a waterproof adhesive to attach the cut-out cement board to the original board. Use another thin-set adhesive and utility to smooth out the edges of the newly attached portion.
8. Set the Tiles
Evenly coat the wall with another layer of the thin set adhesive using a trowel. Then, align the joints of cleaned tiles (or new ones if you are replacing damaged tiles) with the original ones.
Let the adhesive dry before filling the joints with grout the same color as the original one. Don’t forget to seal the grout lines with an appropriate sealant to prevent water damage in the future.
These steps will help you fix the water damage behind the shower tools. Just ensure you have the proper tools for the task. Also, don’t forget to fix the source of the problem. Otherwise, your efforts will be wasted.
