Is hardibacker waterproof

Reader question: Hi there. I recently finished grouting my tile surround in my shower. I posted photos on Facebook and somebody questioned whether I had waterproofed the Hardiebacker board.

HardieBacker sheets are secured directly to wall studs with water resistant green screws called Backer-On. The screws have specially designed threads which can drive through cement board. While the boards themselves are water resistant, the seems, inside corners, edges and screws are vulnerable to water penetration. This means HardieBacker board needs waterproofing. Before you install any tiles, all the seams, cracks, screws, edges and inside corners need to be properly sealed and waterproofed. Most tile installers even recommend sealing all the large flat areas as well. This ensures no water can penetrate through the cement board and onto the framing which helps prevent rot, mold, mildew and deterioration.

Is hardibacker waterproof

Senior Contributor. User Name Remember Me? Read This]. View First Unread. He said he has to use special membrane tape at edges where each board meets to seal it and in corners. Attached Images. Sponsored Links. Sure, the board should be taped where they join together This board may not dissolve in the presence of water, but moisture will penetrate it and rot out your studs Good examples are Kerdi or Hydroban Last edited by cx; at PM. Welcome, Julia. Not sure just what Laz is thinking there, but according to James Hardie his new Hardiebacker With HydroDefense is waterproof and you would not want to install a moisture barrier behind it for a shower application. Problem is, it's still got all the downsides that regular Hardiebacker has when it comes to shower construction. The only positive aspect I see is that you don't need to cover the entire board with a waterproofing membrane.

However, in areas that get extremely wet, like a shower or tub surround, you should always apply a layer of waterproofing on top of the cement board before you tile.

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HardieBacker sheets are secured directly to wall studs with water resistant green screws called Backer-On. The screws have specially designed threads which can drive through cement board. While the boards themselves are water resistant, the seems, inside corners, edges and screws are vulnerable to water penetration. This means HardieBacker board needs waterproofing. Before you install any tiles, all the seams, cracks, screws, edges and inside corners need to be properly sealed and waterproofed. Most tile installers even recommend sealing all the large flat areas as well.

Is hardibacker waterproof

Reader question: Hi there. I recently finished grouting my tile surround in my shower. I posted photos on Facebook and somebody questioned whether I had waterproofed the Hardiebacker board. Much to my dismay, I had never even heard of this…. Anyway, I went to the James Hardie website and see nothing about waterproofing being required… In my research, and reading forums, it seems quite evident that it is needed.

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Certainly, it seems like better instructions are necessary if more waterproof showers are to be achieved. Updated On December 29, Also my house was built in 87 and the tile in my shower was just installed over green sheetrock and to tell you the truth the wall was almost perfect behind the tile when I tore it out. Find More Posts by Julia Dry Well. The fasteners are completely sealed because of this. For more on this please see my post:. Installing cement board over drywall probably falls to whatever the manufacturer specifies. Also, I sealed the box with sealant seams only. Now the question is, what humidity would be at that point? If water reaches the frame of your home, it may become necessary to completely remodel the bathroom in order to get to the damage. Yes, when cement boards like HardieBacker are used in a shower they should always be waterproofed before you install tile. Waterproof CBU? Not over the top to request a flood test, should be standard MO. May I ask why you caved so easily?

Durock is a cement board reinforced with fiberglass while HardieBacker contains cellulose fiber so it is a fiber-cement board.

Learn More. Installing cement board over drywall probably falls to whatever the manufacturer specifies. I dunno. I'd first ask your contractor just what his plan might be for completing the shower receptor. Having a waterproof membrane is an industry standard. Make accurate cuts. I live in a hot, humid climate. For water management, I would recommend waterproofing the front side of Durock after the seams are taped and mudded. Now as far as tile is concerned, this is where a big misnomer in the field may exist. I would cover the 4 corners with wood trim and silicone all the seems. We are just going to strip all the tiles and replace the cement boards then retile. Below is a tutorial to help you make your Hardie boards waterproof. To shield the wood studs from moisture, you should first place a watertight seal against the wood studs before placing the concrete backer-board.