No backer behind tub
+2
Looking to replace tiles in tub. One problem...previous owners had no concrete boards...but had plaster on a metal mesh. The only stud I can get to is the one right in the middle...the other sruds are on the ends of the wall. What can I get back there so I can fasten a backer board and tiles to??
If I were you, I would take down the walls. Sheetrock in a tub and shower area isn't a good idea. It will also give you a chance to check and make sure there were no leaks anywhere. You should also check for mold.
If that was my house, I would gut it and start over and build to code. Check for mold too. What else did the former owners touch in the house? This would make me question any project they may have done on their own. Now that you have opened this can of worms you need to declare this gem when selling - unless you rebuild to current code. Sorry, Harry Homeowner hatchet jobs like this makes my head swim and blood boil. I feel bad for you having to spend good money fixing mistakes by others. How long have you owned the house? If not long, you have a leg to stand on and go after the former owners for repair and damages.
I agree with Shore grandmom. I would get rid of the sheetrock on the wall, you ae replacing the tiles anyway. When you do that, I would get the pipes updated if they have been there a long time. We had a plumber friend help us replace the faucet in our tub, the hole in the closet was just too small for us to do it ourselves. He found some pipes that were close to failing and put in new for us for only the cost of the new flexible tubing they are now using. At least it was found before we ended up with a flood in the living room (the access is in the coat closet in the living room) and basement and all the problems that could cause. When you put in the new, you could then put in what you need to be able to have the area covered so that you can tile around all the plumbing..
I agree! Anything you do will look like a patch job. What ever you use to fill that hole may not even be level with the rest of the wall. As Naomie suggests, gut the walls and do them right. For your own peace of mind.
I agree with everyone else, the best way to handle this unfortunately is going to be rip it all out and start over. However I'd like to point out that this technique is no necessarily "wrong", it's just an older out-dated style of tiling.