We've diy'ed a lot of apartments bath remodels (approx 10). Before we wouldn't waterproof over cement board. My dad helped us tile and that just wasn't a thing. Most were tile around tubs. We did a lot of research when putting in a shower pan and now use the paint on water proofer in all future projects. Also please dear God don't let them grout the corners, should be silicone matching the grout. Answer from blacklaceelderberry on reddit.com
Reddit
reddit.com › r/homeimprovement › do you need to waterproof durock/cement board before tiling in shower/bathroom?
r/HomeImprovement on Reddit: Do you need to waterproof durock/cement board before tiling in shower/bathroom?
May 21, 2021 -
We're currently having our bathroom remodeled and the contractors have put up durock/cement board everywhere they're going to tile. In the shower pan they put a rubber liner and what I'm assuming is concrete on top of that. But everywhere else they just have the cement board, on the shower walls, the floor, around the tub, etc.
I'm a bit worried because everything I've seen or read says that you have to water proof everything somehow, but it doesn't seem as if they are going to (they're about to start tiling). A former contractor friend I talked to yesterday claims he never used to water proof beyond the shower pan basically.
So, will the durock/cement board + thinset and tile on walls and floor be enough? Or should I insist on them doing more to water proof it before tiling?
Top answer 1 of 5
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We've diy'ed a lot of apartments bath remodels (approx 10). Before we wouldn't waterproof over cement board. My dad helped us tile and that just wasn't a thing. Most were tile around tubs. We did a lot of research when putting in a shower pan and now use the paint on water proofer in all future projects. Also please dear God don't let them grout the corners, should be silicone matching the grout.
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Your former friend isn't wrong, that's the way it used to be done. These days I'm pretty sure a waterproof barrier is required but that may not be true in all places. Most times a project like this is supposed to have an inspection done midway. If your contractor didn't pull a permit and get inspections I'd be wary about the quality of work.
Quora
quora.com › Do-you-need-to-seal-the-cement-board-before-tiling
Do you need to seal the cement board before tiling? - Quora
Answer (1 of 4): Yes once you have all your boards up and all your seams taped with fiberglass tape using latex based mortar let everything dry and coat it with Laticrete Hydro Band or Red Guard by custom products .
Videos
YouTube
youtube.com › mr post frame | marshall remodel
Laying Cement Board For Tile | Should I Waterproof It Too? - YouTube
Shop Our New Store!https://my-store-11712634.creator-spring.com/Thanks for watching! Subscribe, Like, + Share if you enjoyed this video!Amazon Store | Projec...
Published May 24, 2021 Views 20K
The Home Depot
homedepot.com › diy projects & ideas › diy workshops › diy workshops
How to Install Cement Board - The Home Depot
May 2, 2025 - Backerboard in both water-resistant and waterproof options makes this ideal for renovations in water prone areas. Installing cement board in a renovation will require that you remove the existing surface material before installing backer board over the studs. Cement board can also be used on ...
Home Improvement Forum
house-improvements.com › home improvement forum › forums › bathroom
taping and prepping cement board for tile - Home Improvement Forum
Ideally, the joint gaps would be smaller, but no biggie. I'd fill the joints with mortar, then tape and mortar over the top. Using the same thinset on the cement board as you're going to use to set the tile will be fine. What are you doing for waterproofing? Cement board alone isn't going to cut it.
LiLi Tile
lilitile.com › blogs › the-lili-blog › can-you-tile-over-cement-board-in-shower
Can You Tile Over Cement Board in a Shower?
It's wise to install a waterproof membrane if using cement board before laying tile in a shower.
www.myproducts.homes
myproducts.homes › why-waterproof-cement-board-before-tiling
Why Waterproof Cement Board Before Tiling? - www.myproducts.homes
February 24, 2024 - The aim is to confine water to the tile surface, facilitating its evaporation or drainage rather than permitting infiltration to the cement board where it could wreak havoc or foster mold. A diligent application of these two layers lays a robust groundwork for your ceramic tile setup, promising an enduring shower. ... Upon application of the subsequent coating of RedGard, an imperative ensues to allow the waterproofing agent a curing duration of no less than a day before embarking on the tiling process.
Tilers Forums
tilersforums.com › home › sf for .co.uk › canada tile advice
Once and for all (hopefully!) CEMENT Boards Explained | | Tilers Forums
January 16, 2017 - 2) Water-resistant means ONLY that water will not damage the board's integrity. BUT - water can still soak through the board to the background. Cement / Silica board - I class as Hardibacker / AquaPanel / NoMorePly These are NOT WATERPROOF.
The Inspired Hive
theinspiredhive.com › 2017 › 05 › how-to-install-waterproof-tile-backer.html
The best way to waterproof your shower before tiling | The Inspired Hive
There were several areas of mold and mildew. PROVA BOARD PLUS+ is completely waterproof and vapor tight, so there is no need to worry about all of that moisture damage down the line.
Concrete Captain
concretecaptain.com › home › cement › do you need to waterproof cement board before tiling? essential tips & techniques
Do You Need To Waterproof Cement Board Before Tiling? Essential Tips & Techniques - ConcreteCaptain.com
June 9, 2025 - Low-Traffic Spaces: In low-traffic ... safety measure against unexpected spills or leaks. Mold Growth: Without waterproofing, moisture can accumulate behind tiles, fostering mold growth and posing health risks....
Cohesive Homes
cohesivehomes.com › do you need to prime cement board before tiling?
Do You Need To Prime Cement Board Before Tiling? - Cohesive Homes
September 12, 2022 - It helps to add waterproofing capabilities to the structure and surface. In addition, some people may use silicon to fill the board edges and seams. In other words, any method is welcome to keep the moisture from the tiles and grout.
Mixed Kreations
mixedkreations.com › home › around the house › do you need to waterproof cement board before tiling
Do You Need To Waterproof Cement Board Before Tiling - Mixed Kreations
May 2, 2025 - 4. Neglecting to reapply waterproofing in high-moisture areas or after repairs can leave the cement board vulnerable to water damage over time. Regular maintenance and inspections are key to ensuring long-lasting protection. ... A: While waterproof tiles can help, it’s still recommended to ...
USG
usg.com › content › usgcom › en › resource-center › faqs › 564.html
Should USG Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels be waterproofed in wet area use?
For most interior applications, Durock® Brand Cement Board Panels are not affected by water and do not need to be waterproofed. Durock® is water durable but not waterproof. If you're looking for added protection to water sensitive material behind the Durock®, you may consider adding a ...
YouTube
youtube.com › watch
How To Install Cement Board and Waterproofing For Tile Shower Walls - Complete Step-By-Step Guide - YouTube
In this video, I show you how to install cement board and waterproofing for tile shower walls. A complete step by step guide on the process of installation o...
Published May 22, 2022
National Gypsum
nationalgypsum.com › homepage › ngconnects › blog › why use waterproof cement board
A Complete Guide to Waterproof Cement Board
March 12, 2025 - Smooth board surface makes it an excellent substrate for tile and other decorative finishes · "Using PermaBASE WP can result in significant cost savings because installers typically use 75% less liquid waterproofing/sealant for a shower enclosure installation." Director, Technical & Product DevelopmentPermaBASE Building Products ... During the manufacturing process, a proprietary waterproofing ingredient is added to the cement core of PermaBASE Cement Board, transforming it into PermaBASE WP.
Tile Warehouse
tilewarehouse.co.uk › home › blog › how to fit tile backer board
How to Fit Tile Backer Board - Tile Warehouse
They have proven to be the perfect base on which to lay bathroom tiles and kitchen tilesthanks to their waterproof qualities and the fact that they don't need to be treated before tiling your floor or wall.
DIY Home Improvement
diychatroom.com › home › forums › home improvement › building & construction
what waterproofing substance on cement board in bathroom(can't find Red Guard) | DIY Home Improvement Forum
Thompson water seal? or that stuff called Ugly(don't remember the name) ... I've always just used regular thinset and never had a problem. What you need to do though is wet the cment board down before applying the thinset and tile.
Family Handyman
familyhandyman.com › home › house & components › parts of house › tiles
How to Install Cement Board for Tile Projects (DIY) | Family Handyman
January 28, 2025 - The 1/2-in. thick board is unaffected by water, making it a great substitute for a mortar bed. In this article, we’ll show you how to create a strong, durable and waterproof tile base around your bathtub using cement board.
This Old House
thisoldhouse.com › home › when and how to use cement backerboard for a durable and reliable base
When and How to Use Cement Backerboard for a Durable Base - This Old House
August 27, 2024 - It’s often called Durock, Hardie Board, HardieBacker, or simply cement board. While not completely waterproof, cement backerboard is unaffected by water and doesn’t deteriorate when exposed to moisture like drywall does.
Top answer 1 of 5
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As long as it's Cement Board & not some crappy "almost" cement board stuff. You really don't need the RedGard, but the more protection the better...so go for it. And yes, you can do the boards beforehand. But, hit the filled seams & screws (your weak points) as soon as a panel is ready to give it some time to setup. You'll have to wait for the fills to dry or at least setup anyway. Just try not to anger your helper too much. Plan for a lunch, cigarette, drink, phone or snack break, flip-off the circuit breaker or sneak Mom in with the baby to delay the job a little, it sucks but he's got to grin & bear it.
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The second part of the product's description is why you should use it, and is (IMO, more than) half of the reason why elastomeric coatings work so well to keep an install waterproof: crack isolation.
If your grout never cracks, the install will never leak. If it does, and you didn't, it will. Applying it before hand will provide you with neither the proper crack isolation nor any useful waterproofing.