Bathroom Shower Wall Help?

Needa Stogner
by Needa Stogner
Can anyone tell me a cheap, easy way that I can fix this? We had to take the shower out to fix the floor and this is what I'm left with to fix afterwards. It goes all the way around the shower.
  17 answers
  • Darla Darla on Jun 03, 2014
    Get some plastic PVC molding to edge it with, and caulk the edges.
  • Lavende Lavende on Jun 03, 2014
    The other option would be to fill in the drywall. It is more complicated that popping up trim, but not as intimidating as it sounds if you use the premixed spackle / drywall mud.
  • Tammy Nelson Tammy Nelson on Jun 03, 2014
    Try wide molding to cover it
  • Chobeegirl Chobeegirl on Jun 03, 2014
    How about some ornamental tiles caulked around the perimeter after filling in the depth with waterproof caulk.
  • Pamela Brandvold Pamela Brandvold on Jun 04, 2014
    What is behind the shower wall? Looks inset instead of fitting flat against the wall surface. I would figure that out before the finish fix. What is the wall made of also? New wall or a new finish and then relay the shower wall. First things first so that the fix is professional and finished. Repaired many of these messes and not one the same problem.
  • Julie B Julie B on Jun 04, 2014
    I agree with Chobeegirl. But I think you will need to cut out the ends of some that plaster board that got wet and deteriorated. Then fill with drywall down to the shower stall edge or to size your new tiles are. You can use a piece of cardboard to get a good even bottom on it. Decorative tile around the edges, too bad you will be covering up the shower screws, but... Fill gaps with waterproof caulk, white. Other wise, the drywall will need to be replaced, at a future time. Before you re-paint anything, it would probably be a good idea to use some "Kilz" sealer on it. You can get it in small cans. This is a project that I would love to do. Good luck! Please post after picture.
  • Melly Melly on Jun 04, 2014
    Moisture/mold resistant wall board (the type of wall board used in wet environments), should have be installed to overlap the flange (the edge of the tub/shower insert). I'm not quite sure if the existing wallboard stands proud of the tub/shower flange. I would make better suggests if I knew that.
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jun 04, 2014
    This is one of those times when you need to call in a professional. I would find a licensed, comprehensive and workman's insured contractor and pay the price to do what has to be done! I Mold gets in there, your expense to clean it up will be astronomical!
  • Shari Veater Shari Veater on Jun 04, 2014
    Tile it or put up molding :)
  • Sandie Sandie on Jun 04, 2014
    First thing is make sure everything is sealed. You don't want any moisture getting in behind. Look on the internet for sealing ideas, as there are lots out there. There are lots of moldings available to cove up the ugly-ness, and you should have an attractive new shower. Not as bad as it could be, but my advice is don't short cut it or it will be a disaster down the road. We purchased a house where someone did short cuts and we payed the price. Rotten walls and rotten floors. Good luck and don't be discouraged.
  • Diane Arnold Diane Arnold on Jun 04, 2014
    I agree, tile it, they come in all sizes. Cut the existing drywall to have straight edges. Below that install concrete board cut to fit the remaining areas.This is to prep for tile. You need a waterproof base or you're gonna have a big mess for sure.Use mortar to apply the tiles, if you haven't installed tiled them before do some reading. I tiled my bathroom last year and it was a first time, turned out great. Use grout after tiling and use a sealer. You can buy small cans or containers of everything to make it affordable. Good luck!
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on Jun 04, 2014
    Too late for a diy, call a pro. You've got water damage and most likely some hazmat mold. Do it right, call a pro and get it done correctly and be done with it. You'll thank me in the end.
  • Barbara Turner Barbara Turner on Jun 04, 2014
    Yeah but you don't know that for sure do you? Mold can grow and you not even know it. You really need to get that checked the right way before you try to patch it. Go to DIY.com and look up mold and showers and bath repairs. It'll show you. Or go directly to Mike Holmes - Holmes on Homes on DIY and see his references to this type of repairs and how to handle it. I found this excellent link for shower damage and repair. http://www.surfacespecialists.com/ShowerRepairs.htm Here's another excellent link. Hope these help. http://www.water-damage-guide.com/water-damage-mold.html
  • Carol Tomlin Carol Tomlin on Jun 05, 2014
    Jeannette from Georgia has my vote. That is something I would not mess with. I'm waiting for my nephew to help with my similar bathroom project. Good Luck.
  • Z Z on Jun 05, 2014
    Though I think this could be a DIY job, it still has to be done by someone that really, really, knows what they are doing. When working in wet areas, such as you have here, it's so important to get it done right the first time, because there is a big potential for water damage/mold if you don't. I agree with Jeanette, in that if you can at all afford a professional to do the job, go for it. If not, and that's totally understandable, please wait at least to hear from one of our professionals here on Hometalk. I'm tagging some of them for you. @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com @AK Complete Home Renovations @Hamtil Construction LLC
  • Hamtil Construction LLC Hamtil Construction LLC on Jun 05, 2014
    Needa, I understand the dilemma. This appears to be a 3 piece "remodel" shower unit with a flange at the wall. The flange is used to install the unit to the studs, but also acts as a water dam if any water gets on the top edge. Because it is a multi piece unit, be sure to caulk the seams with silicone if this was not already done when it was re-installed to prevent water from leaking into the joints.
  • Hamtil Construction LLC Hamtil Construction LLC on Jun 05, 2014
    As for the gap, the best thing to do would be to cut the drywall higher and patch in a more substantial piece, but this is a bit involved in terms of taping. We typically install moisture resistant drywall around these showers and finish against them with a "tear away" drywall bead. Use a good primer and paint, like zinsser 1-2-3 and a moisture resistant bath paint. If you are looking for easier, fill the crack with 90 minute quickset drywall compound, prime it when dry, and install PVC trim over it. Use great care to not install any nails through the flange, for cracking it would be a big problem. You can buy PVC moldings at a store like Home Depot.