I had to remove two tiles and backer board (green board) to repair a damaged tub spout. I need to plug the hole, and was wondering the best way to approach this. Could I glue some cleats on the backside, then put new board in? I then need to set the two new tiles (4×4)
Curt Fortenberry
Replies
Greenboard is not appropriate in any shower. If you are looking for permission and advice on the best way to install greenboard in a shower, you won't find it from me. The reason the area failed, was because of the greenboard.
Rip it out and do it right.
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
Boris is right that greenboard is now out of favor, but since you removed the tile to do a plumbing repair and it did not fail you might get away with a patch for a while at least. I like your approach: Glue some blocks inside the hole, glue some backerboard onto the blocks (cement board would be better and stronger), cement the tile -making sure to pack the joints full of thinset, then grout. When gluing the blocks, you could screw through some temporary strapping bridging across the hole to hold the blocks tight as the glue dries.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA