Patching drywall above shower

Submitted by 98_Camaro t3_y30znu in DIY

So, I'm fairly new to the home improvement world because I've been renting for the past 5 years, but I'm generally very handy (woodworking, work on cars).

I've not done drywall yet, but I understand how to do it and do patchwork for the most part. I'm not sure how to go about it in a wet/moist environment like just above an acrylic shower wall. There's about a 3-4 inch hole I need to patch.

What type of drywall and mud (or whatever other material) would you folks recommend? Wanna patch it correctly and avoid having a hole pop up again.

Edit: Don't know what else to say to not get this removed. I tried searching for an answer but didn't find one, that's why I'm posting here. I simply don't know what materials to use to drywall patch a wet environment.

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Comments

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bms42 t1_is5yr3d wrote

You use mold resistant drywall (it's green) and otherwise patch it normally. Then prime and paint before using the shower.

The rest of your drywall in the area above the surround is just regular drywall, so no need to get crazy here unless the rest of your ceiling has moisture issues.

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md9918 t1_isa9fsj wrote

People are making this out to be much more complicated than it needs to be. Regular drywall (especially for such a tiny patch) is fine-- your box store likely sells 2x2 sheets of the standard stuff so you don't have to wrestle with an entire 4x8 sheet of green board on your way home. A small tub of regular, premixed drywall mud is fine too.

Regular paint and primer is fine unless you have moisture issues (e.g., no exhaust fan).

Get a small (3-4") drywall knife and a medium (6"). The 3" will be useful for your initial coat of mud (and is generally useful to have around the house for patching nail holes, etc.), and the 6" for your second and third coats. You won't need a mud tray for such a small project-- just work directly from the bucket of mud and use your 6" blade to scrape your 3" blade clean, and vice versa. Be sure to rinse them clean with water and dry them when you're done.

Buy a sanding sponge-- it's hard to oversand with them. I like the 3M seafoam green colored one (the various grits are color-coded).

Good luck!

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Bro_Rida t1_is66xon wrote

Green board for bathrooms, patch with whatever product

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mickeysbeer t1_is69rhj wrote

Yeah so it's green board you need (or blue) and if you want to make your life easy and instead of cutting back to find something to screw into do yourself a favour and google california patch. Take a piece of drywall that's 2 to 3 inches bigger on each side and peel away the drywall so only the paper remains. mud the hole and stick the patch in the hole. let it dry, sand and skim coat. Sand and then use mold resistant paint on the affected area.

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98_Camaro OP t1_is69zvd wrote

Yup, already planning on the California patch method, looks quick and simple. Just needa get some dry walling tos and supplies. Appreciate everyone that commented

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mickeysbeer t1_is6ji19 wrote

You're only gonna need to get a small amount. Get a bag of the 90 minute powder for when other shit comes up man.

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travispicker t1_is8i0wn wrote

And a fan to make it dry faster too. Contractor ones are expensive, a normal fan is better than nothing.

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travispicker t1_is8hmx4 wrote

Do what you want plenty of ways.

Either that or screw it to a backing board you made. California patches is a drywaller trick, someone well practiced at mudding. Homeowners and handymen use backing boards normally.

Do what you want though.

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windy496 t1_is6layj wrote

When I replaced our bathtub and removed tile around the tub, I replaced the drywall with the water safe dry wall. I think it was blue. I should have used the cement board. The one piece arborite tub surround we had installed, only has one calked seam where it meets the tub. No problems yet. This was 20+ years ago

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Metalmusicnut t1_is5xccz wrote

Get some elastopatch or some other elastimer for putty. If its an area that gets directly sprayed with water cover it with a rubberized coating like redguard or such. Should be good to go after that. I would suggest tile above shower surround to help wick off the condensation.

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loganab13 t1_is70bnh wrote

Or just use MR green board board and patch like any other drywall patch.

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Metalmusicnut t1_is75gfz wrote

You are correct i should have stated use mold resistant board. I have had problems with standard mud cracking due to moisture in a shower areas. Thats why i suggested elastimer patch.

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