Asked on Jun 10, 2018

Dry way and tiling question

Kulpy
by Kulpy
I am 65, I have had shoulder and both knees surgeries. I can’t afford to have contractors re do a 30 year old bathroom, I am on SS. So I started to demo the walls to take the floor to ceiling tile down. I have most of the walls not including the shower, or behind the vanity and toilet demolished. What is the easiest way to get new drywall in and up. I found out that I no longer have the strength to carry it. i want to save the granite on the vanity, but broke the backsplash piece. Are there tools to rent to move this stuff? I never would have started if the DIY shows didn’t make it seem so easy.20 years ago I could carry this stuff with no problem. Now 1/2 my bath is demolished.

  8 answers
  • Deb K Deb K on Jun 10, 2018

    Hi, does your state or province offer any sort of senior's benefits? In Alberta seniors can apply for grants for home improvements, otherwise maybe there is some sort of volunteers where you live that help seniors?

    • Kulpy Kulpy on Jun 11, 2018

      I have looked into trying to get Help. I contacted builders who care, it is a 6 month waiting period, and I could still be denied help. Other than that, I haven’t found much in the way of help

  • 27524803 27524803 on Jun 10, 2018

    Consider using a PVC bead board paneling instead of dry wall... much lighter... but you will probably need another pair of hands to help....

  • Shuganne Shuganne on Jun 10, 2018

    Hi, Kulpy, that's my problem, too! My 1/2 bath is on the second floor-no way am I carrying cement board up there. There are some shower replacements that nail the plastic walls right to the studs. As for drywall, what is its purpose, really? Could you live with something lightweight, like 1/4" paneling?


    My second thought is to check with a senior citizens' gov't support board. They may have options for you.


    My third thought is, do you belong to a church, synagogue, fraternal group, or group? Have you asked around if anyone could lend you a hand? Good neighbors are everywhere.


    My last thought is when I talked to the big box department manager about delivery, I asked if his crew could carry the cement board and replacement shower upstairs to the bathroom for me, since I'm paying delivery charges anyway, he said he'd see what he could do. Maybe if you explain your predicament, he could go a step beyond. Try calling at a slow time of day for the business.


    I'm taking it slow and easy on my shower replacement. I have plenty of time and if I work for a bit and then take a break, there's no boss to give me the stink eye! Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

    • William William on Jun 11, 2018

      Drywall is code. It's a fire barrier. Up to two hours. It's required. Moisture resistant drywall or cement board for bathrooms unless you want problems down the line. A lot of homeowners insurance won;t cover any damage where drywall is not used. Some can even cancel a policy not knowing what is behind other walls. BE very careful what you do and how you do it.

    • Kulpy Kulpy on Jun 11, 2018

      Thank you for the info. I was told that the floor of the shower has to be replaced, tear up the tile, put a new pan in, before I could even put in an insert. What I thought would be a somewhat straight forward, and maybe an easy job, has turned out to be extremely overwhelming

  • Mogie Mogie on Jun 10, 2018

    Gorilla Gripper and PanelHandle. Just Goggle for more info on each.

  • Kc Kc on Jun 11, 2018

    There are some amazing carriers/hoists that are almost like a second human helper without the back sass. The more helpful they are the pricier they are to rent.

    This might seem corny but if you can't carry a full sheet how about half sheets? Dry wall is available in half or quarter sheets but its meant for small repair jobs so the price is more expensive. Since hardware stores will usually cut wood to size they might cut your sheetrock in half. The consequences of small sections is more taping and mudding so there's the trade off.

    Depending on your home's style, you could install quarter panels for a mid-century modern grid pattern. It would require tightly butted seams but you might pull it off without mud and tape.

    Regarding your backsplash...depending on where the break is (like in the veining) you might be able to repair it with epoxy without it being too visable.

  • William William on Jun 11, 2018

    Have you tried to find a handyman that can give you a hand. Have you tried to get in touch with a local Habitat for Humanity. Maybe hire some high school or college kids to help out. Talk to any neighbors that have kids or they can help out.

  • Shuganne Shuganne on Jun 11, 2018

    Thank you, William! Can you believe I'm as old as I am and I'd never ever heard that!?! Then what about the shower kit that really does just nail to the studs?


    Someone told me that greenboard was moisture resistant while cement board was waterproof. Do you still need spackle for cement board? And why does it come in 5 ft. sections instead of 4'x8', like drywall? I HATE the sanding part of drywalling. Behind a shower, could you get away with just sealed and not baby-butt smooth?