Tried to save money with a DIY shower retile and found mold behind the old tiles yesterday

Pulled off the backer board in my Edmonton bungalow and found black mold spreading across the studs, so now I'm wondering if I should rip out the whole wall or just treat the spots and hope for the best, anyone dealt with this before?

2 comments

2 Comments

paige_west23d ago

Honestly, I gotta push back a little on calling it a "science experiment." Black mold isn't really a science fair project, it's a genuine health hazard that needs proper attention. If it's spread across the studs like you said, treating just the spots and hoping for the best is a gamble I wouldn't take. You might end up sealing moisture inside and making the problem worse down the line. In a climate like Edmonton where the weather swings so hard, that vapor barrier behind the backer board is crucial. I'd strip the whole wall, replace the studs if they're soaked through, and start fresh with new cement board and a proper seal.

mary_wells23d ago

Yeah nothing says fun like discovering your house is basically a science experiment.