Sheetrock (also known as drywall) is a much better backing for wall-tile installation than old-fashioned plaster because it's flatter, smoother and tends not to have cracks in the surface like the kind that can develop in plaster. However, Sheetrock walls still may have issues you have to deal with before tiling, especially on the plastered seams between the drywall boards. Proper preparation of the wall will ensure you're not re-tiling it again in six months. Use Sheetrock as tile backing only in "dry" rooms, not bathrooms or laundry rooms.
Instructions
1. Push on the wall with your hands at various points looking for any movement. If there is any, use your electronic stud finder to locate the closest stud to the loose area and sink several drywall screws there. Scrape off any cracked, crumbling or raised plaster on the walls using your putty knife.
2. Fill any cracks or gouges with repair plaster. Spread over the area with a wide drywall knife. Get the area very flat and smooth. Let the plaster dry completely.
3. Sand any newly plastered areas with a hand sander and 80-grit sandpaper. Also sand any slick or glossy parts of the wall, making it dull and flat.
4. Roll a layer of sealing primer over the wall with a paint roller. Make the layer smooth and flat. Let it dry for at least 24 hours before installing tiles.
Related posts
Stained sheetrock should be primed and re-painted.Sheetrock, or drywall, is the preferred material today for covering walls and ceilings (as opposed to the old-fashioned approach of plastering). W...
One of my drywall pieces had a 2 foot by 6 foot hole. I can tell you first hand instructions for a DIY sheetrock repair. Instructions1. I did a DIY drywall repair, so I can instruct...
Before you can paint a previously wallpapered wall, you'll need to repair the Sheetrock.Regardless of how careful you are, the process of removing wallpaper from Sheetrock can leave walls pitted a...
Sheetrock (another word for drywall) is compressed gypsum made into wide flat sheets and covered with paper. It can be used to form walls and ceilings. Unlike plaster, drywall doesn't crack. If cr...
Sheetrock is the modern answer to old-fashioned plaster walls. The boards are made of gypsum (chalk), covered in paper and manufactured in sheets of 4-by-8 feet. You screw them to the wall studs i...
