How to Keep Mold from Invading Your New Bathroom Renovation

Bathrooms are highly susceptible to mold growth due to the moisture created by bathtubs and faucets. So I'm sharing what materials we're using in our small renovation to preserve the indoor air quality.

We are using the following building materials (and feel free to comment):

-cement board for shower surround

-Redgard as a waterproofing membrane

-fiberglass faced wallboard panels

-fiberglass drywall joint tape

-setting type joint compound that dries in 45 minutes

Since the shower has no exterior walls we decided to forgo the vapor barrier over the studs. But if we needed one it would have been installed along with Roxul insulation. ...»

Difficulty: Moderate

To see more: http://www.homerepairtutor.com/choose-the-right-bathroom-wall-materials/

9 Comments

Frye finish carpentry & h... Toledo, OH

looks great your using the best products available today to help prevent mold from forming,Great work.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Annette C Shreveport, LA

it's been a while since I have been able to remodle, by looking at your photo's I wonder do they still use green-board?

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Carmen G Galveston, TX

Yeah I thought you had to use greenboard - we just re-did bathrooms and we did.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Frye for the encouragement. We try to do our best :)

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

The only reason I won't use green board is because I can get my hands on better products. I had to tear out an old shower in one of our rental homes and the green board was covered in mold. After that experience I was determined to avoid a similar situation. Mind you, the prior owners installed the green board.

on Aug 07, 2012 · Like 1
Brian Campbell, Basswood ... Saint Paul, MN

Definitely good to minimize the chances for mold growth. Another tip for you is to avoid using standard, black oxide, drywall screws in bathrooms. Something with a rust/corrosion resistant coating is best for the drywall and for the CBU be sure to use approved fasteners, like Durock screws. A good screw for wall board in bathrooms is something like this: http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/0614-FZX/6-x...

on Nov 02, 2012 · Like 0
Home Repair Tutor Pittsburgh, PA

Thank Brian for the great screw recommendation. I love using the Durock screws because of their corrosion resistance and square drive. Maybe I'm wrong here, but square is soooo much better than anything else.

on Nov 04, 2012 · Like 0
Brian Campbell, Basswood ... Saint Paul, MN

Hi, My point was that if you use moisture resistant drywall, why not use moisture resistant screws to install that too. Phillips screws are still the preferred drywall screw because they are designed so the driver will cam out when the fastener is at the proper depth, generally. People don't realize that what they don't like about them is precisely what they were designed to do--the head will strip before the threads strip out the wood. For many other applications, The Robertson (square drive) or Torx are nice (like installing cement board).

on Nov 12, 2012 · Like 0
Rebekah Furlong - Stockin Tampa, FL

My new shower was done in this same manner.

on Jan 29, 2013 · Like 0