I suggest shimming the studs (only if you have to) to get the cement board down over the tub lip. Use 1/8 inch spacers to maintain the gap as you secure the board with the cement board screws. For gaps larger than that, you'll need a good sealant. Apply a mound of mortar to the subfloor, then spread it out in an even layer, using a 1/4-inch notched trowel. A lot of the jobs we do they don't bother to seal to the cement board and tub, they . Cover an area just large enough for the first cement board sheet. Cover the bathtub with a drop cloth and tape the edges to the tub to make sure no dust or debris escapes into the tub beneath the cloth's edge. Step 5 He suggested filling in the gap with a strip of hardi-backer (easier to work with than cement board)--~3/4 wide. The next step is the thinset and taping. Space the bottom sheets 1/4 in. then redgard all the cbu. This gap is then filled with pure silicone caulk before the ceramic tile is installed. cabinet. 2. there should be a small gap between the backer board and the tub 1. Now, apply the tile in the small section that is sticky right now. Once the sealant has dried, you can paint the surface with latex-based paint. Secure Backer Board with Screws. It is normal for there to be a gap below the backer board and the tub. If your gap is smaller than 1/8 inch in width, use regular caulk; fill gaps larger than 1/8 inch with a sanded caulk. The tub has about a 1/2 - 3/4 in "ridge" on the three wall sides that the backer board is resting on. When installing the cement backer board, I like to leave a 1/8-inch gap between pieces. Determine layout of HardieBacker cement board. You can then caulk the 1/4 inch gap between the bottom of the cement board and top of the tub. The tiles will hide the joint and make the job of finishing the . Mixing a batch of thin-set mortar is the basic step in the installation of cement boards. I never allow the cement board to rest on top of a bathtub edge. Should cement board go over tub flange? 6. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. The gap between it and the tub is grout filled. Not only cement board (hardi is fine) but you must go 3-4 feet up. What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board? I do tape bevels simply to make a flush surface for the tiles. Although some say you should have weep holes along this gap so any water behind can weep out into the tub. The backerboard is screwed into the studs with the mfg.recommended screws. Leave a 1/8-inch gap between each backer board sheet. silicone). 2-inch alkali-resistant mesh tape is applied at every backer board seam and corner. The tub has about a 1/2 - 3/4 in "ridge" on the three wall sides that the backer board is resting on. Where the tile overlaps the gap above the lip, you need to caulk where the tile hits the tub. Attach the HardieBacker Cement Board with HydroDefense Technology. Do not align HardieBacker cement board with plywood joints. Technically, after the tile is installed over the backer board that gap between it and the tub ledge should be filled with an ASTM C920 sealant (caulking e.g. Use 1/8-inch spacers to maintain the gap as you secure the board with the cement board screws. Fasten board to wood studs spaced at 16 o.c. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in. Hanging cement board is one job where gaps are desirable. option 2: don't know if this is possible without removing all screws in cbu, but if possible, somehow pull the bottom of the cbu away from the studs and then put a 12 inch wide strip of 6mill poly behind the cbu and drape into pan. Mix a small batch of thin-set mortar as directed by the manufacturer, mixing the dry powder with water in a bucket. ANSWER - No there should not be a gap between the top of the bathtub flange and the backer board on the wall. Then just fill up the tub with water and silicone. 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. Then a coat of thinset gets flat troweled over the seam. Drive the screws in so that the heads are slightly below the surface of the backer board sheet. What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board? Cut holes in the board for fixture placements. JW - Last edited by a moderator: Nov 26, 2016 johnfrwhipple BATHROOM DESIGN & BUILD Messages 3,225 2. There is approximately a 2" gap between the corner of the room and the bath tub. If you have tile on the wall adjoining the tub, select a caulk that matches the color of the grout. Measure the size of the gap that . 1. DH says the cement board should come over the flange, without touching the tub rim/ledge itself (maybe 1/4" space). cement board off lip. Alkali-Resistant Mesh Tape. He also suggested "spackling" the joint (s) with thinset, not joint compound. Once all the boards are nailed to the surface, fill the joints with a silicone-based caulk or taping . Cement board used on walls typically is 1/2 inch thick, and so is the drywall you use in most rooms in the house. The greenboard is gone, I have placed concrete backerboard on the back and the long side of the tub. If water gets to the cement board, capillary attraction can cause water to wick up into the cement backer . Drill cement board screws through the backer board sheets every 6 to 8 inches. PROBLEM SOLVED for Tub Flange when Installing Cement Board and Tile. If you have a small gap (1/8 inch or less), a caulk can usually handle it. Once all the boards are screwed to the framing, fill the joints with water resistant material. Use minimum 1/2" exterior grade plywood or equivalent, positioned across the wood. above the tub. Now, you can use either caulk or mesh tapes to close the gaps between the backer boards. my intention was to make them as tight as possible being that i was going to fill them with mortar anyway. clearance gap between the floor, tub or shower receptor base and the cement board. Leave a 1/8 gap between all panel edges. A better backer board is Wonder Board Lite. I use 1/8 inch gap and that give me more room for silicon on the corners. 1. Caulk the gap Probably the simplest way is to caulk the gap with 100% silicone or a urethane sealant. Fill larger gaps with foam backer rod, sometimes called spline. The cement board should be plumb, hence the need for shims sometimes. Allow a inch gap between the boards and the tub for movement of the tub floor or walls due to temperature changes and settlement of the house. Finally, fill the gaps between the tile and tub with caulk. For the 2" gap that runs the depth of the tub, should I use cement board or dry wall? above the tub lip to allow for movement of the tub and floor. Advice about gaps in cement boards. For tile backer boards such as Durock, Wonderboard, Hardiebacker, Permabase, and others the seams between the board need to be treated with 2-inch alkali-resistant mesh tape. (He hates it when I do projects.) Allow slight gaps - approximately 1/8 inches - between cement boards to account for any expansion due to heat. Tile Around Tub With Lip. Fill the gap between the tile and the tub with caulk. Fill gaps up to 1/4 inch in width with caulk. How to Install Cement Board on the Floor? Cut the Boards Cut the boards for the remaining sides of the tub and install them in the same. Anyway, I'm ready to tape the joints but my question is this: Around the top and down one side of the tub surround there is about 1/4" gap between the cement board and the old drywall. The greenboard is gone, I have placed concrete backerboard on the back and the long side of the tub. Fasten the product with specified nails or screws (as listed in "Materials For a tub the absolute minimum is 3' up around the tub is either cement board or drywall with membrane or drywall plus cement board. above the lip of the tub. Mix and Apply the Mortar. This small gap is created by the compressed thickness of the organic mastic or the cement thinset used to attach the tile to the backer board. What do you do with a gap between the tub and cement board? The 3' isn't "code" either. The tile should and does extend down close to the tub and then that gap is sealed with caulk. The cement board must be properly backed at tub edge to keep it stiff. Install the First Sheet. * with 1-1/2 hot-dipped galvanized roong nails spaced 8 o.c.for walls,6 o.c.for ceilings,or using 1-1/4 DUROCK BrandWood Screws with the same spacing. 6. In these photos, I used Hydroban liquid waterproofing by Laticrete. above the tub. Space between plywood supports is not to exceed 16" on center. Then they install the bottom tile so that it overlaps the gap. Leaving a gap between GreenEBoard and tub tile flange I like to leave about an 1/8" - 3/16" of a gap between the top of the tub's flange and the GreenEBoard. The next step is the thinset and taping. 1 yr. ago. 1/4-inch Leave a 1/4-inch gap between the backer board and the wall. When installing cement board above a bath, leave at least a inch gap between the tub and cement board to prevent the wicking of moisture. i left expansion gaps on all the corners but did not leave spaces between the individual pieces of board. option 3: attach 6 inch wide waterproofing tape to the front of the cbu and drape it . Apply enough mortar for single . Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. Bruce geoffrey_b 5 years ago The tile is "supposed" to cover the gap. however.. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and . Do not just cut a strip near your tub. 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. I suggest shimming the studs (only if you have to) to get the cement board down over the tub lip. There are a variety of sealants available, but a silicone-based sealant is the best option for this type of surface. The cement board should be plumb, hence the need for shims sometimes. Place each individual tile evenly and apply pressure against the board and wall. Allow a slight gap of approximately 1/8 inch between cement boards to account for expansion. Apply sealant to both sides of your tub-cement board joint, then smooth it out with a putty knife. Measure the size of the gap that needs to be filled. If you're installing the cement board yourself as part of a tiling project, the best way to bring the edges flush is to add shims to the wall studs before you hang it. If there is a gap between the tub and the cement board, fill it with a sealant. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in. i used durock cement board as a base. First, you would waterproof with your favorite liquid waterproofing membrane of choice. It states no more than an 1/8" gap between the cement board and flange, and then says to seal the gap with caulk. The gap is easily filled with the tile wall grout . Your local inspector might require higher. Do not place cement board into the shower pan mortar bed. Definitely use cement board instead of green board. In . You need to determine how the water is getting into the space behind the tile. Applying pressure makes the tiles stick. Measure the wall surface where the cement board will be placed to support the tiles. Use nails or screws as temporary spacers to create a 1/8-in. The backerboard is screwed into the studs with the mfg.recommended screws. The gap would not be the cause of water getting behind the tile. option 3: attach 6 inch wide waterproofing tape to the front of the cbu and drape it . then redgard all the cbu. I don't tape corners. When installing above a bath, leave at least a inch gap between the tub and cement board to prevent the wicking of moisture. Provide a 1/4 in. You can then caulk the 1/4 inch gap between the bottom of the cement board and top of the tub. Install the first full . You have to prepare the floor first with a trowel and putty knife to even the surface and spread the mortar properly. i meshed all the seams and filled with mortar. However, my husband would have thrown the whole mess in the tub and stomped on it if we hadn't made it fit a little easier. i recently replaced my tub surround with tile. Position the screws at least 1/2-inch, but no more than 2 inches, from the edge of the sheet. Caulk the gap Ideally, you would leave a 1/8 inch gap which would then have the sealant applied to it. ANSWER. In the bathroom, however, water-resistant drywall is recommended, and this is often 5/8 inch thick. 1. The tub flange can really be a pain in the butt when installing a tile tub surround. Then, how big of a gap can I fill with caulk? Put a surface bead of caulk over the filled gap. 1 I've about installed almost all the cement board for my bathroom tile renovation around the 3 sides of the tub. Put some clear silicone in the gap and then tile as normal. I generally silicon tiled corners. gap between sheets of cement board. Ensure cabinets are level and secure. option 2: don't know if this is possible without removing all screws in cbu, but if possible, somehow pull the bottom of the cbu away from the studs and then put a 12 inch wide strip of 6mill poly behind the cbu and drape into pan. What do you do with a gap between tub and cement board? Definitely use cement board instead of green board. Cut the board to measurements using a jig saw. (For steel stud applications,use 1-1/4 DUROCK Brand Steel Screws.) above the lip of the tub. 4. The corners and edges of the sheets should not touch one another. Plan the installation so the last column of tiles overlaps the joint between the cement board and the greenboard if possible. Install the sheet 1/8 inch above the first, leaving room for thin-set mortar with will provide strength to the seam. I stopped using GreenEBoard two years back. Cement Board Detail above the lip of the tub. If a space is smaller than 1/4 inch, apply a single bead of caulk to the edge.