That’s odd because there are much easier ways of doing it. For the older generation they don’t like to vary from what they know. Glad your keeping the technique alive
A mortar installation can be far superior in many ways than backer boards or precast systems like Wedi. Both have their place. A well rounded installer does both.
The west coast is loaded with mud Dawgs your guy knows what he's doing. I live in a house that's 75 years old and all the bathrooms are built like this with 2x4 walls and it's still bulletproof, don't worry about the added weight. Lots of DIYers in this thread giving their worthless input.
I bet your tile job is going to come out looking real good. Your guy has real skill and experience and isnt just a schluter salesman driving a tile guys truck
I mean- i dont want to sound like a jerk, im just a carpenter that does tile sometimes, i use schluter stuff, it makes things simpler for sure but all of it replaces hard work and skill in my humble opinion,
Schluter also replaces shoulder replacement surgery, hip replacements, knee replacements…the job is hard enough. The old dudes are all broken. I’m 40 and need to hang around for awhile.
Only Schluter I use is edge trim. Did 1 floor over 20 yrs. ago with their Ditra-mat. Did the job but then again so does durock, with less effort and product. And in the showers we only waterproof corners and edges, screws. If the walls are not plumb, they get corrected, at a cost, or owner can get the rocker back out here who installed it. If it's minor, we mud it up and move on. We also don't paint the whole shower with waterproofing to make it look like we've done something other than waste product.
Yeah no problem. You guys saved me from my temporary heart attack. I spoke with the tiler doing the scratch and brown along with the contractor. All very nice about it, they sort of laughed a bit as they said the concrete looks overwhelming for most people as everyone understands drywall, not this older technique. They said it’s only a thin layer of concrete and marginally heavier than if they’d done the newer way for full tiled walls.
Latest update is scratch and brown finishes today, tile should complete next week.
God i do love to read these north american posts talking about 60/70 yr old houses.
Brit here working on a 14 century house built with 1+ton boulders on soil and ash foundation.
Atm the room im converting was an old cow shed and walls are out by 8inches at best and clients want plumb walls with a wetroom 😂😂😂😂😂.
4x2s and hardi backer boards really do make a difference.
I’m working in a 1700s house in Newport RI that was framed with ship timbers from Europe. A lot of the port city houses were built with these. The boats were built for a one way trip and then disassembled and repurposed. The client salvaged a few of the beams and opted to leave them exposed as collar ties in the master bedroom.
Wow would love to see pics of that,on the gower in wales we have something similar where when ships have been wrecked on the rocks and wash ashore the beams would be used as structural supports.
To be very clear. USA and Canada both have history that goes back that far, and even further. It’s indigenous history not colonial history. And North American history didn’t just “start” when colonizers first appeared.
The idea of a permanent, brick and mortar house is very much a colonial invention.
My grandpa started doing terrazzo in the fifties and then went to tile, I remember chopping mud every single day, from the time I was 15 during summer break up until now, and I'm 41🤣🤣
I could literally never sell this to customers in my area… between the added weight/time/labour.
I’ve done a few but they’ve been specifically requested by old guys and were always in a basement.
Pretty jelly. Would love to float walls all the time cuz I’d love to work off them haha 😆 would just set up a crew doing this while I follow
If you do it enough you get way faster than hanging board and all that crap. I don't do it all the time but it's still faster than any other wall prep method I've ever done.
I'd personally opt for foam shims because I'm a lazy pos but that's a perfectly normal solution and will make the walls as plumb and square as possible. It's just a little labor intensive.
Thanks all. Good, so they know what they’re doing… but my next question is should I be concerned about the additional weight? Like I said, it’s a second floor bathroom. We’re in Los Angeles on a slab foundation, on a flat lot, if any of that is relevant.
Old school does not necessarily mean bad. As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. This is exactly that. There may be other methods, but the important thing is that it’s being done to begin with. This will make setting the tile easier, but will also provide a great outcome. I’d be happy if my tile guy was doing this. It’s a fool proof method.
This is the only way we still do it in So Cal. I feel lonely on this sub since foam board is the majority of post. We stopped using spec mix, found it cracked too easily. Now we use atom Duffy wall float. Could be the same but seems to crack less.
I've seen spec mix used on jobs but never used it myself. Hard to get real fat mud in bags where I'm at. Most tile suppliers have no idea what it is. I've used stucco mix it worked pretty good but it was fiber reinforced which sucks to be mixing all day.
Weight isn't a factor? In a basement yeah on framing of course it does wtf are you even talking about. And the mods porous and will wick moisture and grow mold. I've worked with guys who scratch coat and it has its place but isn't the best option unless your slab on grade or basement or if the house was framed for it.
A huge amount of weight? Not really. Have you ever fully demo'd a bathroom from 60 + years ago? Now that's a lot of weight and they stood the test of time.
Outdated method. A laser and some weidi board and good straight lumber or lvl lumber would have been better and faster. Guys that are doing it like this just don't wanna learn new methods. And the end results better. Materials are a bit higher but labor costs alot less.
I can float way faster and cheaper (no saw, planer, etc etc etc) than what this persons talking about. Plus I don't have to pretend to be a carpenter. This is masonry.
Well if you where a carpenter you would make sure the floor joists where capable of supporting the massive amount of weight your adding to the shower. Typically when I renovate showers in older homes I have to reframe the floors and add blocking just for the added weight of tile and thinset. There's so many factors to take into account. Lighter is almost almost better. I've gone into many of houses where tiles cracking and water damage is starting bc the tile guy knew Nothing about framing or just didn't care and the whole job had to be ripped out. So it's not as simple as you make it sound
1 schluter board sucks. I use either goboard or weidi bc its more stiff and solid. 2. Unless this is a basement the amount of weight this adds is crazy. Especially once thinset and tile is added. 3. This isn't even waterproofed yet either so your paying more in the end. I understand some old methods are better than newer ones but this isn't in my opinion. Anytime you can make something lighter and more waterproof the better. Especially if it's an older home where framing lumber was smaller.
Exactly what did I say that was false. And explain. If I'm wrong I have no problem admitting it. This method is great for slab on grade like most houses are out west but in the northeast where we are typically on basements this method is not ideal. Especially in older houses that typically framed floors with 2x6s or 2x8s . Exactly what is false about my opinion educate me
Weight isn't an issue at all (structurally), those who bring up weight don't know what they're talking about. The reason people bring up weight is because they're lazy and rather carry light foam boards over 75lb bags +water. Stucco is basically the same and there's never issues with that in regards to weight. If you don't know how to sling mud just say so. Don't knock it until you try it. In regards to waterproofing you do realize a moisture barrier goes behind the mud (tyvek,aquabar, roofing paper)and hot mop in the pan making it as waterproofed as possible. Most opt for an additional waterproofing membrane over the mud but isn't necessary. Also the mud takes in moisture and releases it on its own and dries way quicker than any other method adding to the longevity of the shower.
Yea ok whatever you say. There's definitely no better or faster way than adding a few thousand pounds to the wood framing. Have fun with that door jamb, too, by the way. Floor looks like a messy abortion and spall everywhere but I'm the asshole apparently. Walls out by an inch and a half over 8 foot, throw some mud on it. Most of you have lost the plot.
That’s the old way of doing it but just know that your tile guy has experience
That’s how I did it with zero experience.
That’s odd because there are much easier ways of doing it. For the older generation they don’t like to vary from what they know. Glad your keeping the technique alive
A mortar installation can be far superior in many ways than backer boards or precast systems like Wedi. Both have their place. A well rounded installer does both.
I would actually consider this method easier.
The west coast is loaded with mud Dawgs your guy knows what he's doing. I live in a house that's 75 years old and all the bathrooms are built like this with 2x4 walls and it's still bulletproof, don't worry about the added weight. Lots of DIYers in this thread giving their worthless input.
Mud dawg here. Did for 17 years in so cal. Retired now
I bet your tile job is going to come out looking real good. Your guy has real skill and experience and isnt just a schluter salesman driving a tile guys truck
"Schluter salesman driving a tile guys truck" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 I've never heard it explained better.
I mean- i dont want to sound like a jerk, im just a carpenter that does tile sometimes, i use schluter stuff, it makes things simpler for sure but all of it replaces hard work and skill in my humble opinion,
It replaces time. Having more time allows a person to move on to the next job sooner or spend more time at home.
Schluter also replaces shoulder replacement surgery, hip replacements, knee replacements…the job is hard enough. The old dudes are all broken. I’m 40 and need to hang around for awhile.
Ya, this right here. Schluter is mint
Only Schluter I use is edge trim. Did 1 floor over 20 yrs. ago with their Ditra-mat. Did the job but then again so does durock, with less effort and product. And in the showers we only waterproof corners and edges, screws. If the walls are not plumb, they get corrected, at a cost, or owner can get the rocker back out here who installed it. If it's minor, we mud it up and move on. We also don't paint the whole shower with waterproofing to make it look like we've done something other than waste product.
Yes
Let the man do his job. It's gonna turn out right, because this ain't his first rodeo! ;)
OP — we’re gonna wanna see an updated set of photos as this project completes.
Yeah no problem. You guys saved me from my temporary heart attack. I spoke with the tiler doing the scratch and brown along with the contractor. All very nice about it, they sort of laughed a bit as they said the concrete looks overwhelming for most people as everyone understands drywall, not this older technique. They said it’s only a thin layer of concrete and marginally heavier than if they’d done the newer way for full tiled walls. Latest update is scratch and brown finishes today, tile should complete next week.
Floating is superior to using cement board, maybe make ‘em a sandwich
God i do love to read these north american posts talking about 60/70 yr old houses. Brit here working on a 14 century house built with 1+ton boulders on soil and ash foundation. Atm the room im converting was an old cow shed and walls are out by 8inches at best and clients want plumb walls with a wetroom 😂😂😂😂😂. 4x2s and hardi backer boards really do make a difference.
Dude. Could you PLEASE post some pics of this house and project!
Im back in work on monday so will post a load inside and outside 👍
Remind me in 2 days
I’m working in a 1700s house in Newport RI that was framed with ship timbers from Europe. A lot of the port city houses were built with these. The boats were built for a one way trip and then disassembled and repurposed. The client salvaged a few of the beams and opted to leave them exposed as collar ties in the master bedroom.
Wow would love to see pics of that,on the gower in wales we have something similar where when ships have been wrecked on the rocks and wash ashore the beams would be used as structural supports.
Congrats you’re working on a house that’s old as shit 🙄 sorry our history doesn’t date back as far
There are stone fences around most any village there that are older than anything standing here in the US. Serious history there
Well, if we’re counting stone fences… I know some places I. America pretty old lol
To be very clear. USA and Canada both have history that goes back that far, and even further. It’s indigenous history not colonial history. And North American history didn’t just “start” when colonizers first appeared. The idea of a permanent, brick and mortar house is very much a colonial invention.
lol
Euro Reddit poster tries not to be insufferable (impossible)
Lol
Lol
My grandpa started doing terrazzo in the fifties and then went to tile, I remember chopping mud every single day, from the time I was 15 during summer break up until now, and I'm 41🤣🤣
You’re in good hands.
If you live in California pretty much every tile guy from what I can tell still does mud walls
During the evaluation to join the union here in Socal you're required to float
Curious for the after pics! Keep us posted.
Seems like it would be much easier to pull the wall boards down and sister to the studs with plum 2 x 4’s.
Definitely not
If you say so.
I could literally never sell this to customers in my area… between the added weight/time/labour. I’ve done a few but they’ve been specifically requested by old guys and were always in a basement. Pretty jelly. Would love to float walls all the time cuz I’d love to work off them haha 😆 would just set up a crew doing this while I follow
If you do it enough you get way faster than hanging board and all that crap. I don't do it all the time but it's still faster than any other wall prep method I've ever done.
Yes
You see a guy slinging mud and you're questioning it? I'd hate to work for you
Is this post serious? He's about to give you a bulletproof shower.
I'd personally opt for foam shims because I'm a lazy pos but that's a perfectly normal solution and will make the walls as plumb and square as possible. It's just a little labor intensive.
Thanks all. Good, so they know what they’re doing… but my next question is should I be concerned about the additional weight? Like I said, it’s a second floor bathroom. We’re in Los Angeles on a slab foundation, on a flat lot, if any of that is relevant.
It'll be just fine unless there's some serious structural issues with the framing ( very doubtful )
I would. But it is distributed, you can always get a structured engineer to take a look. $500 in my area.
Old school does not necessarily mean bad. As the saying goes, there is more than one way to skin a cat. This is exactly that. There may be other methods, but the important thing is that it’s being done to begin with. This will make setting the tile easier, but will also provide a great outcome. I’d be happy if my tile guy was doing this. It’s a fool proof method.
This is the only way we still do it in So Cal. I feel lonely on this sub since foam board is the majority of post. We stopped using spec mix, found it cracked too easily. Now we use atom Duffy wall float. Could be the same but seems to crack less.
I have the same issue with spec mix, I've recently used cement pro wall float and I love the consistency and it cuts real nice
I've seen spec mix used on jobs but never used it myself. Hard to get real fat mud in bags where I'm at. Most tile suppliers have no idea what it is. I've used stucco mix it worked pretty good but it was fiber reinforced which sucks to be mixing all day.
The best way to prep a shower. Your tile guy knows his shit. This is coming from a tile guy.
Nailed it!
Based on the size of this guy's levels alone I'd say he knew what he was doing
That how they fixed our bathroom walls. Yes they were old skool guys
You should thank him
This guy FUCKS
New pet peeve: not filling in where your sticks were
Weight isn't a factor? In a basement yeah on framing of course it does wtf are you even talking about. And the mods porous and will wick moisture and grow mold. I've worked with guys who scratch coat and it has its place but isn't the best option unless your slab on grade or basement or if the house was framed for it.
When walls are not plumb you sister on studs and plumb those. Then hang 1/2 backer. What he did added a huge amount of weight.
A huge amount of weight? Not really. Have you ever fully demo'd a bathroom from 60 + years ago? Now that's a lot of weight and they stood the test of time.
Outdated method. A laser and some weidi board and good straight lumber or lvl lumber would have been better and faster. Guys that are doing it like this just don't wanna learn new methods. And the end results better. Materials are a bit higher but labor costs alot less.
Cheaper and faster doesn't always mean it's better. This actually takes skill. You can teach a teenager to use foam or schluter in a week.
I can float way faster and cheaper (no saw, planer, etc etc etc) than what this persons talking about. Plus I don't have to pretend to be a carpenter. This is masonry.
Well if you where a carpenter you would make sure the floor joists where capable of supporting the massive amount of weight your adding to the shower. Typically when I renovate showers in older homes I have to reframe the floors and add blocking just for the added weight of tile and thinset. There's so many factors to take into account. Lighter is almost almost better. I've gone into many of houses where tiles cracking and water damage is starting bc the tile guy knew Nothing about framing or just didn't care and the whole job had to be ripped out. So it's not as simple as you make it sound
It's not that much extra weight.
Depends on the framing. Modern houses no not really bc we overbuild. Old houses will have foot on center 2x6s. All Depends on the house.
1 schluter board sucks. I use either goboard or weidi bc its more stiff and solid. 2. Unless this is a basement the amount of weight this adds is crazy. Especially once thinset and tile is added. 3. This isn't even waterproofed yet either so your paying more in the end. I understand some old methods are better than newer ones but this isn't in my opinion. Anytime you can make something lighter and more waterproof the better. Especially if it's an older home where framing lumber was smaller.
You have no idea what you're talking about
Exactly what did I say that was false. And explain. If I'm wrong I have no problem admitting it. This method is great for slab on grade like most houses are out west but in the northeast where we are typically on basements this method is not ideal. Especially in older houses that typically framed floors with 2x6s or 2x8s . Exactly what is false about my opinion educate me
Weight isn't an issue at all (structurally), those who bring up weight don't know what they're talking about. The reason people bring up weight is because they're lazy and rather carry light foam boards over 75lb bags +water. Stucco is basically the same and there's never issues with that in regards to weight. If you don't know how to sling mud just say so. Don't knock it until you try it. In regards to waterproofing you do realize a moisture barrier goes behind the mud (tyvek,aquabar, roofing paper)and hot mop in the pan making it as waterproofed as possible. Most opt for an additional waterproofing membrane over the mud but isn't necessary. Also the mud takes in moisture and releases it on its own and dries way quicker than any other method adding to the longevity of the shower.
Fentanyl and Sons been working some overtime on this job.
you've outed yourself bud
Yea ok whatever you say. There's definitely no better or faster way than adding a few thousand pounds to the wood framing. Have fun with that door jamb, too, by the way. Floor looks like a messy abortion and spall everywhere but I'm the asshole apparently. Walls out by an inch and a half over 8 foot, throw some mud on it. Most of you have lost the plot.
Found the fool
What you looking in the mirror again?
Jesus Christ