Does Drywall Need to Be Replaced When Removing Shower Tiles?

About Drywall

• Drywall is a construction material that has been used in both residential and commercial construction throughout the world for a number of years. The main material in drywall is gypsum, which sits between two sheets of paper. Drywall is fairly easy to cut and is lightweight. It also helps to protect buildings against fire damage by absorbing the heat from the fire.

Shower Tiles

• Composed from a number of materials, including ceramic, porcelain and slate, shower tiles also come in different shapes and sizes, from small 1-by-1-inch squares all the way to irregularly shaped and polished river rocks. The tiles are usually fixed to the shower wall by tile adhesive. Once the tiles are set, grout is then pressed in between the tile spaces, which keeps the tiles bonded to each other as well as helps to hide irregularities in tile spacing.

Cement Board

• Cement board is a construction material that has gradually come to replace drywall boards in wet locations such as bathrooms and kitchens. Although drywall is fire resistant, it can be damaged easily by water. A crack in a shower tile can allow water to leak through and penetrate into the drywall, causing mold and other damage. Cement board is composed of pressed cement particles that simply absorb the water without causing the board any damage.

Replacing Drywall

• Before beginning the removal of the shower tiles, you need to plan on the extent of your remodeling project. If you will be reusing the shower tiles, care should be taken when removing them so they aren't damaged. Once the tiles are removed, you'll want to replace the existing drywall with cement board. If you won't reuse the shower tiles, there's no need to be careful when removing them, and you can simply knock out the wall holding the tiles with a sledgehammer.