Damp bathroom wall - need urgent advise?

Question

Hiya, we have a tiled bathroom wall next to our shower but it has recently become apparent that the water has been seeping in through the grout, resulting in a mouldy and wet wall behind the tiles. We have been trying to work out the best way to deal with this, weather it's using a dehumidifier to dry the wall out and then re-tiling or cutting part of the wall out and replacing it. But after trying to cut some of the plaster board out to have a look, it appears that it is not plaster board at all, but some kind of wooden (almost like chipboard) substance, which is not hollow and seems damp right the way through to the other side.
Does anyone have any idea what this wall may be made out of, also, any help with rectifying this issue would be appreciated.

Thanks

Candid Chris · Accepted Answer

One, it's more than just water seeping through the grout if it's that wet, leaky pipe more likely.
Two, not positive about the wood backing board, sounds like OSB (oriented strand board) to me and the installer 'cheaped' out.
Three, believe you may have a big project in the near future, sorry, all that wet wood will need to be moved or it'll fall apart soon enough but not before it rots and stinks.

Anonymous · Answer

Once you`ve sorted out the damp problem and are ready to re-tile it is advisable to have the tiles silicone sealed before they are grouted to the wall. This involves submerging the whole tile into liquid silicone (for a few hours) which is absorbed throughout the entirety of the tile, the tiles are then dried over several days. You`ll need to go to a tile manufacturer that offers this service if you are unable to do this yourself (strict safety measures will be needed). 

Having the tiles sealed will help prevent wetness from your shower getting through to the wall.

Texperson · Answer

I don't know what your wall is, but we had a problem with failing grout causing the wall board behind it to get wet. What we did was have the tile guys remove all the tile on the shower walls. Then they removed all the damp board behind it. They replaced it with waterproof wall board, it has some finish on it which prevents the problem in the future, then they put in new tile.

I think you will have to allow the wood to dry or get it pulled out and replaced it with waterproof wallboard also.

? · Answer

Take the whole lot out and start again.
Fairly cheap to re-board and tile.
Typical area for leaks is the part where the tray meets the wall. Ideally stand in the tray and
silicon while your weight is in it. Most likely it was here where the leak was rather than the tiles.

Pauline · Answer

Remove all the tiles and board, and allow to dry out naturally. 
Cover studwork with a plastic sheet/ shower curtain if you need to use shower at all until re-finished.

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Damp bathroom wall - need urgent advise?

5 Answers