Hey guys,

About to start a remodel of the bathroom in my old house in about a month and trying to get some information to be prepared when the time comes. I'm having a hard time finding out about the time frames to wait before using the shower again.

There are some areas that are going to need to be repaired and patched in the plaster veneer walls and then after that we'll be skim coating the walls before priming and painting. I have been able to find some information about after you have painted how long to wait, but I'm wondering if it's possible to use the shower after the skim coating is done and prior to the painting?

We live in a low humidity environment and the "steam" created from a warm shower is gone in less than 30 seconds from the bathroom mirror on average. With the ceiling fan it dries out in our small bathroom really fast and I've never seen the walls look wet or shiny etc. I'm wondering if it's safe to use the shower at all during this skim coating process or if we need to wait until everything is done and painting has sealed the walls and ceiling?

We don't have a second tub or shower but we can work something out with family if need be during the repairs. Because that will be a little complicated and an imposition on others, we'd prefer to use our shower but don't want to ruin anything. Hoping someone can advise on whether it's safe at all to use the shower.

Thanks for the information in advance!

 

If the walls are skimmed with regular joint compound I wouldn't recommend using the shower until it's at least primed because j/c is water soluble. A setting compound like durabond would be ok [although still not ideal] I don't know too much about plaster

 

You indicate "remodel" and skimcoat in the same sentence, basically. To me a remodel entails a total gut of the room, repair, replacement of electrical, plumbing, etc. to bring to code and put things back in place. How much of a "remodel" are you planning?

 

Thanks for the feedback guys,

For joint compounds I have in addition to the glue based "tubs" of compound, Sheet Rock brand 90min setting compound and Durabond 45. I actually prefer using the powder mixes, they just seem easier to handle to me and they don't burn my nose like the tubs do. Would either of those be acceptable then? I would say that the shower would be used probably twice at the most between the initial skim coat and when the primer goes on.

Sorry if I was confusing about the type of project I'm doing I wasn't really sure what you would call it. Based of your definition Chandler I would say this is a semi-remodel We have already in the past put in a new bathtub and surround and one section of a wall has been taken down and replaced with moisture/mold resistant drywall because I installed a recessed mirror and medicine cabinet that had to have the bracing installed in the wall to support it. In addition their was panel board that has been taken off all the walls and they have some very old crusty glue on them that I will have to deal with. In addition to some moderate plaster cracks and damage I discovered when removing the panel board that will have to be repaired, the electricity has been redone by a electrician in the whole house to be up to code.

We are also trying to get a pocket door installed because the bathroom is so small. Because it would involve modifying the interior support structure of that wall we're trying to get a master carpenter to come do that for us. If we can lock him down (their is only one in the area willing to do a pocket door) then probably the one wall will be torn down in the bathroom that the door is attached to so that the rails and additional supports can be added to that wall for the pocket door. We will be replacing the sink and cabinet in the bathroom and installing tile on the floor as well.

So some of the remodeling has already been done and some is yet to come. It's not a full remodel I suppose because we aren't replacing all the walls, just what is needful to accomplish what we want to see in the bathroom. Thanks again for the input, further advice is appreciated! If we can get away with a shower or two safely that would be great, but I don't want to ruin the new work be being hasty!

 

Either the sheetrock 90 or the durabond 45 will be ok because they are setting compounds - sets chemically not by evaporation. The premixed mud in a bucket/box is water soluble and shouldn't be exposed to moisture until it's protected by primer.

Like I said before, a shower over unprimed setting compound isn't ideal ..... but sometimes you got to do what you got to do - beats going around stinky until the bath rm is finished

 

Thanks for the clarification! That is most likely what I will do then, like I said it will be one or two times at the most and I definitely don't want to try to go without a shower after that kind of work! The B.O. gets bad haha

I know it may seem like a needless question but with my regular work schedule and general habits (night person) I tend to work in the evening and late into the night on home repairs. I know family won't appreciate me knocking on their door at 2AM for a shower