bath tile backer board repair ???

I'm sure these issues have been discussed already, so sorry all, but I'd like any advice on the following -

problem: previous owner installed tile on the walls around the shower bath AND installed one of those soap dish fixtures that indents into the wall. now all the tiles around the fixture are cracked, uneven, collecting mold in the crumbly grout, etc. the fixture itsel is shabby too and positioned badly.

I've replaced cracked tile before - previous owner tiled every surface possible. he left matching tile too, so i'm ready to rip the fixture out and put new tile in.

but I'm worried about what i'll find behind the tile and fixture. it will be only about a square foot of wall that's exposed, and an 8 in x 8 in space that's really damaged , I HOPE.

question: how can I make a small repair or patch in the backer board (or whatever i find) to make a nice, waterproof surface that will hold tile and adhesive??

thanks, zp

 

The best way would be to cut it back to the studs, carefully remove the tile up to 2 studs, then cut the wall so half of the stud is visible and half still holds the old wall, now install a piece of cementboard there, then tape and thinset the new seam as you tile, the biggest problem with this is, the new patch might be slightly thicker than the old wallboard, personally, I would redo the whole thing if drywall was used to build this wall back when.

 

thanks for the solid advice.

i'm really afraid of what i'll find when i dig into this wall, but i guess its better to find out sooner than later . . . zp