Asked on Jan 24, 2019

How to add tile where sheet rock is missing?

Karen
by Karen

I've hung sheet rock and spackled walls. I'm trying to put tiles in where a deep ceramic toilet tissue holder used to reside. I will hang a metal tissue holder in another area and would like to cover this space with tile I bought but I don't want the tiles to be loose etc. Should I put chicken wire inside? any tips on keeping it secure etc?

Hole I need to cover with tiles

This was the tissue holder that was removed

In case you were curious this is the tissue holder I am hanging at another location. Easier to slide tissue on and off an cuter.

  7 answers
  • Sondra Sondra on Jan 24, 2019

    I would try to patch the hole with drywall first. Nail a couple of strips of wood behind the existing drywall and across the hole so the new drywall has something to hold it in place.

  • GBK GBK on Jan 25, 2019

    You will have to cut 2 pieces of sheetrock, one will be the exact size of the hole, the other will be longer, say 1 inch on each side. Now, screw a sheetrock screw into the middle of the longer one, for a little handle. Put some adhesive caulk or your favorite strong glue on the ends. Slip it in behind the existing wall and hold for as long as it takes to stay in place. Let it cure for a day. Step 2, take the piece of sheetrock the exact size of the hole and glue onto your first patch. Let it cure. Now you can apply the new tile.

  • John Palmer John Palmer on Jan 25, 2019

    I have done this and have had much better success gluing wood strips in rather than drywall. It makes a sturdier repair.


  • Wandamurline Wandamurline on Jan 25, 2019

    I had to do this in my bathroom wall when we had a leak....I took off a lot of the tile to where there were studs to screw new concrete sheet cut to fit a hole in the wall I made where half of the stud was exposed. Then I cut the new concrete sheet to the existing studs. Then I taped and floated the insert. Once that was cured, I replaced the tile and re-grouted. It looks as though no damage had been done.

  • M barnard M barnard on Jan 25, 2019

    Agree with John Palmer. Two thin pieces of paint stirrers might work as this spot does not get weight on it. Cut the paint stirrers to fit behind the existing wall inside the hole, glue them to the back of that drywall and then cut 2 more and glue to those strips to get the proper thickness if needed OR you could just use a thicker glop of construction adhesive on the tile and press the tile in until level with the other tiles, which is what I would do but I can't see that area to give you best advice. Do wait for the wood supports glue to dry before installing the new tile. Would use that same construction adhesive on the back of the tile that will touch those support strips just installed. You should find construction adhesive in a smaller tube that does not require the big caulk gun. Let it dry a day or two and grout. YOU will be the only one who knows where this spot is! Take this step by step slowly and it will make sense! Mom of 4 and KNOW repairs . . . Best of luck, email me if questions. You can do this!

  • Rymea Rymea on Jan 26, 2019

    If you don't want to have to hold the support boards in place while they are drying you can use a rubber band to hold them. Put the rubber band around the support board so that you have the two looped ends out to the front and stick a paint stirrer vertically down through the loops. Make sure the rubber band is a strong one and short enough to hold the board tight against the back of the wall.

  • Dee Dee on Jan 26, 2019

    You can fill the hole with spray foam insulation such as "Great Stuff' over fill hole, let it dry then cut the overfill off with a knife the next day. You will be able to install the tiles as long as no weight will be applied.