What to do after removing tile and finding cement?

Question

My plan was to remove the tile and sand the drywall to paint. However instead of drywall under the tiles there is cement. I'm not sure where to go from here. Do I remove all the cement and how? And then hang new drywall?

Kim C · Answer

I used a light texture paint over my cement basement walls and did a very soft swirl to create a southwest type pattern/texture. Then painted it a cream color flat paint and it came out beautiful. It looked like this http://www.royalstandardpoodles.com/images/officestuccowall01.jpg

RB MacKinnon · Answer

What a terrific opportunity to put parging on it and seal it with a flat latex furnish,and then put color on it using thin paints or watercolor paint with a sponge, putting the colors on unevenly to give yourself an artistic look. Then you could seal it all with a gloss or semigloss varnish which would be resistant to steam and water from the bathroom. The trick is to give your wall a slightly uneven finish so that it looks like some of those wonderfully textured homes in Mediterranean areas.actually, faux finishers charge a lot of money to do just this effect.

AvonelleRed · Answer

I think I might put beadboard there. White beadboard would look great since you have
 yellow tiles in the tub area, assuming you are keeping the yellow tub and tiles there.

Chris aka monkey · Answer

@Alli it is cement board they use this in place of dry wall in hi humidity areas such as the bath if you remove it you will probably have to replace it with drywall you could use bead board or cheap luan turned around to the smooth side and paint it, or you could plaster it for a decorative finish good luck xx

Cyndi Moore Tippett · Answer

It is probably 'cement board', but I would check in an inconspicuous place like the bottom near the floor.  I have seen where they actually used a wire screen and put cement over it and then put tile.  If it is cement board, your should be able to take it down with a chisle and hammar.  Then you could just hang your sheetrock over the wall studs, etc.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

I would assume that the tile was protruding out from the wall where it ended on the top? This is a mud wall which is common on older homes. The issue you have is that this cement is about two inches thick and very strong. Making it a horrible task to remove if desired. I would suggest that you smooth out the surface using a flat chisel and re-tile over it using a thin set mortar. A new cap tile along the top will finish it off. 
You can cover this with wood, but the fastening will be tricky as it will need to be glued as nails or screws will not go into the cement. Plus the surface needs to be really level. 
The last thing you can try is to put a coat of stucco over the surface and paint. Put a trim where the finished wall meets the stucco finish. 
Or simply pull it all off and start fresh. But plan on a whole weekend to remove it along.

Linda · Answer

The wall is cement and there will be chicken wire on the back of the cement.  To remove it, use a grinder and follow the grout line to cut thru it.  You can remove it in big blocks.  It will be very dusty.  Replace with cement board if you are going to use tile.  Otherwise use drywall.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Why did you remove the tiles? Are you planning on a complete reno by replacing the tub, etc., too? I like the yellow tub and tiles.

JHayes · Answer

It looks like you have a home built before cement board was used. You are correct that is cement. However, I would definitely not proceed with ripping this out as you could damage the time around your tub. At this point you could potentially use drywall to cover this and move forward.

What to do after removing tile and finding cement?

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What to do after removing tile and finding cement?

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