On Jul 29, 7:28 pm, "Oz" wrote:
New to the newsgroup.

My house is 35 years old. I have a bathtub enclosure - regular tub with
three tiled walls. The tiles are falling off the walls (behind the the
tiles there appears to be some kind of paper - I don't know if that is
relevant) and the subsurface is crumbling. I had been re-attaching
individual tiles with grout for a long time but the time has come to tear
the tiles down and start over with something different. Problem is, I'm a
geologist not a carpenter.

Here is what I'm thinking and I want some sage advice from the members on
this group as to whether, or not, it's feasible. Tear the tiles off the
walls. Replace the subsurface, whatever it was to begin with, with green
board (I think that's what it's called) and re-surface the whole thing with
that fibreglass/plastic boarding that looks like tiles.

Obviously, I am trying to do this not only in an economic fashion (i.e.
inexpensively) but also in a manner that requires a low skill level (i.e. I
have never laid tiles on a bathroom wall and I don't want to start now).

So, fire away! Suggestions and advice are welcome and being sought.
Remember, I am a newbie and am a geologist not a carpenter or a tile layer -
so, please, go easy on me.

Thanks!

Rob

Do a search for 'solid surface' and for 'cement board'.
Standard practice is to leave 1/4" between tub and wall.
This joint is filled with sealant to exclude water.
Your enclosure may be suffering from wicking of water up behind the
surface.
T