Redgard waterproofing in your bathroom can help prevent problems with drywall. Drywall is for covering every room in the house and is very versatile. It can be covered with another wall covering or stomped with a unique drywall texture.

But whenever you decide to use drywall in the kitchen or bathroom, it’s important to keep that drywall dry. A good drywall sealer is just the answer to problems like this.

While you want to use caulk and other sealers in your home, having a variety can ensure you have the best materials for each job. This is so important because sealing and waterproofing your home is important.

Redgard Waterproofing: What Is Drywall Sealer?

A drywall sealer is a water sealing agent that is to be on drywall seams, cracks, and edges. It provided a waterproof seal to keep the cracks from letting water underneath and ruining the walls behind the board.

While you can get by without using a sealer for your drywall in bathrooms and kitchens, it’s a much better idea to go ahead and seal it. You may save a hundred dollars not sealing it but you’ll waste much more in time.

While the surface of the drywall is waterproof if you use the right type of drywall, the underneath rarely is. That’s why it is very important to make sure that every nook and cranny is sealed well.

Mudding Vs. Sealing

Mudding and sealing are often confused with one another because they are both used on drywall. But they are different techniques for very different reasons. Sealing is done for protection while mudding is done for aesthetics.

While both can be done for both reasons, mud is much thicker and can cover more gaps, while the sealer is thin for waterproofing areas. Mud is often to seal areas too but if you are waterproofing, you need a sealer.

Redgard isn’t always ideal for large gaps in living rooms and bedrooms. But it is always the better choice for showers, bathrooms, and anywhere else that gets a lot of moisture. So use them both in your home.

The Best Drywall Sealer: Redgard Waterproofing

While there are many drywall sealers that are fine to use, we have found that the best drywall sealer for our projects has been Redgard. RedGard creates a waterproof barrier for drywall.

It reduces the number of cracks that appear in natural stone floors as well as in ceramic. While it can adhere to almost anything, we have decided it is a miracle-worker for drywall, which doesn’t get enough waterproof support.

Most of the time, you only need a sealer like this for bathroom drywall, tile backer boards which are often made of drywall. So if you are creating a tile shower then invest in Redgard to ensure you keep your drywall dry.

Redgard Waterproofing: The Need To KNow

The process of waterproofing with Redgard is easy once you learn how. All you need to do is cover every crack, nook, and cranny. But doing so is better if you can make a checklist to make sure you get everything.

Here is a list of the primary things that you need to watch out for. Of course, any seam in the drywall needs Redgard on it, but that’s only the beginning. Let’s take a look at the other things that need to be sealed.

Around Plumbing

This is important because this is often where the water will leak. Make sure that you keep around the faucets and handles dry because if they leak, it can easily seep underneath the drywall and cause mold and rot to grow.

It is best to add some caulk underneath the Redgard too because this is such an important and often troublesome area. Whenever you add the casing for this hardware, also make sure it isn’t loose and has a tight seal.

Corners

Make sure you get the crease between the ceiling and the walls well. While it is easy to remember the seams you can see, it can be difficult to remember the ceiling ones which are difficult to reach.

It may seem silly to seal this area because the water won’t reach it. But it is important for a few reasons. First of all, the steam can also cause water droplets to form and drip down. Secondly, it protects the area from exterior moisture.

Screw Holes

People often forget screw holes because the area feels sealed already. This works just like spackling does and only takes a small amount of Redgard for each screw hole, so this is the easiest part of the job.

Just add a drop of Redgard to each screw hole and scrape it down until it is flat. When you do use the screws on the drywall, it’s important to screw them in until they are just flush with the drywall or ever so sunk.

Around Windows

A good place to use Redgard is around the windows. You will also need to add some caulk or something similar, but Redgard will work for now. This is very important due to weatherproofing the house.

Around the windows is the most important part of the bathroom to seal because it affects things on both sides. It affects rain coming in the house and the water seeping behind the drywall from the inside.

Patching Mistakes

Let’s face it, we all make mistakes when hanging drywall. There may be deeper screw holes, gaps between pieces of drywall, and uneven cuts. Redgard can fix these mistakes and give you an even surface.

Mud can also fix this type of mistake but when you want to waterproof the area, Redgard works a little barrier. However, Redgard is a little thin and sometimes needs backup for large gaps or holes in the drywall.

Redgard Waterproofing Alternatives And Tips

If you are planning on hanging drywall in your bathroom but haven’t yet, hold off until you learn all that you can about drywall for the bathroom. Because tips are for before you begin a project, not during.

People who only look for help after they make a mistake are much more likely to make mistakes again that are irreparable. Here are some tips you can use to help you make the right decisions before you do that.

Get The Right Drywall

There are many different types of bathroom drywall, so learning the differences in them can save you a lot of time and money. They are sorted by color. Blue board is plasterboard made for backing for plastering.

It is a great choice and so is green board which is water-resistant but not waterproof. Purple board drywall is perfect for high moisture areas. It is very high-end though also quite expensive.

Consider Plaster

Plaster is a good choice for bathrooms at times because it can be made to be waterproof. However, this is cement plaster which is similar to cement board. So make sure the plaster you get is waterproof.

Some plaster can be water-resistant without being waterproof but there are many differences in plaster and drywall that you may want to consider. To learn about them before you make your decision.

Keep A Patch Kit

Even if you use Redgard instead of drywall mud, it’s a good idea to keep a drywall patch kit on hand. You can get drywall patch kits for cheap, so keep a container in the closet for emergencies.

This can help you whenever you make mistakes or when you have patches to fix but don’t want to open a huge bucket of drywall mud or Redgard. Anyone who has drywall needs to keep a kit available.

Use Bathroom Caulk

If you are worrying about sealing your bathroom, then please use bathroom caulk to keep things sealed tight. You may be able to get by with Redgard or some other type of sealer, but always use caulk too.

It is almost always better to have a variety of materials that you keep on hand and use. Bathroom caulk is like a magic sealer that will always be one of the most effective ways to keep your bathroom protected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ

Is Redgard Toxic?

Redgard is toxic if you swallow it. Otherwise, it is toxic if you breathe in the fumes for a long time. To prevent problems with breathing in Redgard fumes, wear a mask and ventilate the area you are working in.

Can I Tile Over Regard?

Yes. You can tile over Redgard. You do not need to apply another moisture barrier. So you can apply the thin-set and tile over it. That’s what Redgard is for.

How Long Does Redgard Waterproofing Smell Last?

Redgard cures in a couple of hours. It can take a day or two for the smell to go away. If you ventilate the area, the smell can go away in less than a day.

Is It Redgard Waterproofing Or Water-Repelling?

Redgard is waterproofing. Water repellant means that the water bounces off of Redgard. But it does not. It is waterproof and markets as such.

Should I Hire A Professional For Redgard Waterproofing?

When it comes to drywall sealers, you almost never need to hire a professional. If you are hiring someone to hang the drywall, then go ahead and have them seal it for you. But if you are hanging the drywall, you can do it yourself.

Then, you can either have someone else cover the drywall with tile or you can also do that part yourself. Using tile on walls isn’t at all easy but if you know how to lay tile on the floor, then you can learn.

There’s never anything wrong with hiring someone to do a job for you, it’s that there are times when you can do the job more and a lot cheaper. But in the end, the decision is always up to you.