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Hello,
We live in an older home and have tiles in the bathroom floor. Near the bathtub there is a spot where the tiles were loose, and we found that the tiles easily came up. Underneath, there was wet, rotted wood, because water has been getting into that area. There is also a long tunnel-like hole (2 in. wide, 2 in. deep, and 10-15 inches long) where the water has flowed through. We would like to patch the tunnel hole and then find some way to put the tiles back . Any ideas about how to patch this hole?? What sort of material should we use?
And then what should we cover the hole with in order to prevent further water from getting down there?
To complicate things, some of the tiles have uneven heights of cement board stuck on them, and we are guessing the cement board was the original base to which the tiles were glued. So we need a creative idea about something we can glue the tiles back onto after we patch the hole -- and something that can accommodate the tiles with multiple thicknesses of cement board.
Uh-oh. If the cement backer board has "melted" due to water leaking through the grout, you have bigger problems.
You will need to remove more tile and backer to get to good material and good sub-floor. The opened area should be rectangular and cross floor joists, as you will have to rebuild that portion before setting any tile.
Have you talked with any flooring stores or contractors?
You also did not say if this is on the first floor or higher, and if this is a slab based or above grade house.
Thanks so much for the reply. We did end up removing more tile and now we do have a rectangular area which has good subfloor on a good sized section. That section does cross floor joists also. This is the first floor of the house above a basement.
Do you have any additional advice about how to rebuild that portion of the floor?
If you can find some material that matches the original backer board, that would be a good start. You will need to fit it exactly and seal all the joints (waterproof it, in other words). Allow all to dry than re-install tile, and use a waterproof grout. DO NOT grout the tile at the tub. Be sure everything is clean, dry, and all mold, etc. removed at that space, then fill with the best silicone caulk you can buy.
The reason for not using grout there, is that the tile and the tub are different materials and expand / contract at different rates. Silicone can handle that, but the grout would crack and allow water back in.
