How do I waterproof my wall around the bathtub?

Tammy Nichols
by Tammy Nichols

I have repainted my bathroom but around my tub is sheet rock and I wanted to know an easy way to waterproof it.

  6 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Dec 01, 2018

    I would tile. The easiest way would be tile board, backsplash panels, or shower wall panels.

    • See 3 previous
    • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Dec 01, 2018

      If you painted over the wallpaper you are probably good to go over that. I think the paper has vinyl in it, based on what I have seen in the past.

  • Tonya Tonya on Dec 01, 2018

    Tammy,

    I agree with Kathy, but prior to covering with whatever material will be showing, it is extremely important to first prep the walls with water-resistant-rated board such as hardy backer. You do NOT want any moisture on regular drywall… You’ll end up with a real mess and possibly black mold.

    Make sure when you have the two layers attached that you thoroughly caulk all seems… Again to prevent moisture from penetrating.

    Good luck, and by the way I love your paint color!

  • Charly Charly on Dec 01, 2018

    Paint it with a rubber based paint. The kind the malls use in their ponds.

  • MizGG MizGG on Dec 01, 2018

    Get rid of it asap...

  • Alice Alice on Dec 01, 2018

    I’ll be watching this since I have exactly the same tub in our manufactured home. Complete with mirrors!

  • Tom Stuart Tom Stuart on Dec 01, 2018

    Tammy, I don’t know what the code is for mobile homes but backer board is standard for home construction around a tub. Backer board is a thin cement board reinforced with fiberglass. One manufacturer is James Hardie, hence the general name « Hardie board ». Sheetrock is a brand name for wall board or drywall or gyp board. It it a layer of gypsum between two layers of thick paper.


    To test what you have take an ice pick and try to push it straight in. If it is drywall you should be able to push the ice pick through it. If it is backer board it will feel hard and scratch like cement. If this is drywall it has lasted much longer than I would have expected.


    Backer board can be left in place and covered with tile or whatever you like. Drywall should be taken out and replaced with backer board.