Advice scraping paint and tiling above tub surround

7 months ago

I have two and feet between a fiberglass tub surround and the ceiling I'd like to tile. (Only about a 15 sf area total)
It is painted and I hate that I keep getting mildew/paint chipping in those areas because the tub surround isn't particularly high. I would like to tile that area instead.
From what I read if the tub/surrounded
is going to be replaced, you would put cement board behind it, but since in this case the tub wouldn't be coming out it would just be from the tub surround to the ceiling I'm not sure whether or not it'd work or just a plain bad idea.
I don't know what kind of sheetrock is there, but even if it's cement board, I probably wouldn't be able to scrape the existing paint down to the paper, so replacement is probably more realistic, but I don't know if that would mess up the water resistance situation.
I've also seen a video of somebody using Tyler adhesive on the paint at to remove the paint prior to tiling. I kind of would prefer this rather than replacing the sheetrock.
Eventually, I would like to replace the tub completely, and then decide whether or not to tile at that time, but that's not something I'm going to do myself and I don't know how long before that's done.
Has anyone done this and if so what were the results?
I'm replacing the floors and bathroom trim and some of the fixtures and I'm okay with that because I'm dabbled in that before, but not this.
My main concern is avoiding water leaking / water damage.
Anyone who's done something like this and or has any advice they wanna share, would be really appreciated. Thank you

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Comments (5)

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BeverlyFLADeziner
7 months ago
https://marlite.com/wall-panels/visual-wall-panels/symmetrix/

You can purchase sheets of Marlite Fiberglass panels, molded to look like tile, that can be cut to size, fitted to the space above your tub surround and caulked in place.
Seabornman
7 months ago
I think you could get by with a thorough cleaning, and just use tile mastic in that area, as long as you don't spray water directly on it. Tile mastic is very sticky. Leave a good 1/8" gap to the acrylic surround and caulk with silicone, as the acrylic will move a little with temperature changes.
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chispa
7 months ago
last modified: 7 months ago
Before you try to patch anything ... do you have an exhaust fan in the bathroom?

If you do not, figure out a way to add one.

If you do, check that the ducting vents to the outside (not attic) and get a new properly sized fan if yours is old.
cyprissa
7 months ago
I would not tile just that section…fully replace the surround or it will look terrible.
3onthetree
7 months ago
Drywall (paper-faced gypsum board) and a good paint is usually sufficient above a shower surround. Only when you are within the direct water spray does it have to be a material that is not paper-faced.

The main issue is it is too humid. The fan needs to be working properly and run long enough. There also may be some errant spray above the surround, as usually you see the "splotches" of mold like you have near the ceiling, not the streaks at the bottom. So apparently water has sat on the transition.

You can cut off the paper face and remud if it's just surface mold and the gypsum is intact. Or you can cut out a portion if it's bad. Or you can replace the entire section above the surround with purple or green drywall (moisture resistant). I don't know if tiling just above the surround is worth it for the benefit.