On Sun, 9 Nov 2008 08:21:18 -0500, "John Grabowski"
wrote:


"Joe" wrote in message
...
On Nov 8, 3:51 pm, Phisherman wrote:
Out of these four characteristics which is most/least important when
roughing in a bathroom? Plan to use 1/2" drywall (or drywall and
beadboard) to cover the walls.

1. Plumb studs
2. Wall thickness consistent
3. Flat straight walls
4. Square corners

All are very important. A vanity (or similar cabinet) for example,
installed on a crooked wall will have a nasty obvious gap at the back
splash. A shower module or or tub shower enclosure will be a disaster
to install in anything not square, plumb, or level. Even the flooring
will be a PITA trying to get decent lines, and setting tile will be a
nightmare of mismatched hard to cut bits and pieces. Considering some
of the decent prices on lasers and such from Stanley (the Fat Max
line) now, there's no excuse for not doing it right.
And do yourself a favor, use the new non paper-faced wallboard and
take advantage of it's compatibility with the bathroom environment.
Every hour you 'save' taking shortcuts or skimping on the job will
cost you double, triple or more trying to make things work. Good luck.



I agree. The shortcuts you take now during rough-in will consume more time
during finish to compensate for. I would install cement board around the
tub/shower area.


No shortcuts here. With the toilet drain location fixed, the vent
stack location fixed, and a shower alcove I have no choice to make a
bowed wall, one with a slight jog in it or a wall containing vertical
steps. The alcove area has been built per manufacture instructions
(60-1/8" wide). I've decided to keep all the studs plumb all around,
but still have a slightly curved wall (a 2" bow along 6 feet). No
problem with flooring, although I'm sure I'll need to deal with the
base and crown trim, probably less tedious than having a stepped wall.

Our other two tub/shower bathrooms have been used daily for 18 years
and the walls are plain drywall. No wall damage due to the wall fan
timer switch and bath/kitchen gloss paint. I plant to use the green
drywall, which is slightly better.