Need new alcove tub, tile is fine. Installation typically goes tub-backer-tile so I’m thinking new tub won’t fit back in unless a fair portion of the backer is removed anyway. All videos I see of this being done remove the entire surround and redo the tile. Maybe its a stupid idea to even consider, but I’m just wondering if it’s possible. I’ve already accepted I’ll need to redo a fair amount of it, but being inexperienced with tile I’m concerned I’m digging myself too deep. Any input appreciated.

Comments

ARenovator t1_jdw8muy wrote on March 27, 2023 at 5:30 PM

No, but the hard part is the waterproofing behind and above. If not done correctly, you can get water behind the new tub.

LostRF OP t1_jdw9vwp wrote on March 27, 2023 at 5:38 PM

So when I moved in, I could tell it was likely all done improperly. There was a lot of janky shit done on the plumbing and electric so it screams budget “renovation” with unprofessional “contractor”. I don’t know much about tile but I can see it’s a very inferior tub, likely why broken and needing replacing. I pulled a few tiles off the non-plumbing end and can see it’s just 1/2” cement board and tile. Looks like maybe non-shower area is greenboard. Is it bad to replace the same way?

Edit: much appreciated response btw

Second edit: looks like it’s worse than I knew and it should have received some kind of water proofing system, which seems to be the norm even when this bathroom was done. 🤬 man the people that did this bathroom make my blood boil.

ARenovator t1_jdwmgio wrote on March 27, 2023 at 6:57 PM

Yea, unfortunately the home improvement subs see this kind of BS all the damn time. It totally sucks, and you'd like to beat the installer into a coma.

Don't know what to tell you. Wish I had a quick and cheap way to deal with this, but that's not possible.

LostRF OP t1_jdwow0i wrote on March 27, 2023 at 7:12 PM

Yeah well now at least I’ll be more comfortable with removing all the the tile and just redoing it with a proper barrier. I got my phone behind the tub via the removed end, and can see there isn’t any water damage from the shit install at least. I was pretty sure it was wrong when I saw the bottom course was grouted all behind and down to the plastic tub and not siliconed at all. I won’t even tell you about the egregious use of sharkbites 🤬🤬🤬. In the event I need a pro, what trade do you recommend I search for? Coming from an electrical background and not knowing a single reputable plumber, are there any keywords I should be searching for? Questions to ask to check credibility for the job type?

ARenovator t1_jdx1cun wrote on March 27, 2023 at 8:32 PM

I find my plumbers and bathroom contractors by word-of-mouth, mostly. Friends, family, co-worker recommendations, etc.

systemdelete t1_jdyqmks wrote on March 28, 2023 at 4:03 AM

You CAN scuff and redguard over badly installed tile to make it impermeable. At least for a temporary fix until you demo and redo the bathroom.

skydiver1958 t1_jdxu1d9 wrote on March 27, 2023 at 11:52 PM

As a rule a new alcove tub is a total redo. Just how it works.

LostRF OP t1_jdxun0h wrote on March 27, 2023 at 11:56 PM

Seems to be the case. Can’t follow manufacturer installation instructions with no furring strips on the studs and flush mounted cement board. Looks like surround needs to come out, furring strips and some kinda new fangled barrier installed, then redo tile. Any suggestions on a “system” or board type? I’ve seen the German one before on YouTube, pretty sure all these videos are paid for so I don’t exactly trust it as impartial.