I am re-modeling my washroom at the cottage. I took off the tub surround and found that the wall by the taps is finished with small scraps of 3/8" plywood and drywall. The other walls are finished with regular drywall. The drywall/plywood comes flush with the lip of the tub. I am planning to remove and replace the scraps of plywood/drywall by the taps, however I don't want to remove the drywall from the other 2 walls. Can I put either water resistant drywall, cement board or plywood over the existing drywall then install ceramic tile (I don't want a new tub surround because I have a window on the longest wall and I would have to cut the tub surround to fit around it - the old tub surround cracked at the corner of the window). Assuming I can proceed as planned which product should I use water resistant drywall, cement board or plywood. If I use water resistant drywall does it have to be primed before I install the ceramic tile. Please note the cottage is not heated in the winter.
Answer:
You're going to have a problem making the drywall fit because it will be too thick if you have two layers of it and the tub already begins to slope at that depth. I wouldn't monkey with it; I'd take off everything that's there and start with new water resistant drywall, prime it and then paint it before applying new tub surround.
