
Once all your concrete-board is hung, it’s very important to seal all the seams and corners. It’s especially important to waterproof concrete-board in extremely wet areas like showers.

#DOES CEMENT ABSORB WATER CRACKED#
And it doesn’t flex much which makes cracked tiles less likely. This means there are seams between boards and in the corners as well as having lots of screw penetrations.Ĭoncrete-board makes a great backing material for tile because it’s water-resistant and very stiff. Concrete-board comes in sheets that are screwed to the wall or floor. It helps prevent mold and wont deteriorate when wet like drywall will. Cement Board Needs WaterproofingĬement board is a fantastic material for wet areas because it’s extremely water-resistant. For this reason, cement-board is considered water resistant and not water-proof without a membrane or waterproof coating. There will be seams between boards and in the corners which need to be sealed. However, it does not make a shower, bathroom or kitchen area waterproof simply by installing it. In fact, cement-board can be fully submersed under water without damage. Water can penetrate through the seams and into the cement board itself.Ĭoncrete backer-board itself is waterproof in that it will not disintegrate when exposed to moisture. This is ideal for areas like bathrooms and kitchens that have high amounts of moisture and water. Meaning it will not deteriorate when exposed to water.

Most types of concrete backer-board are made of a fibrous cement composition that’s molded into sheets. This ensure no water can penetrate through the cement board and onto the framing which can eventually cause rot, mold, mildew and deterioration. Some builders even recommend sealing all the large flat areas as well.
#DOES CEMENT ABSORB WATER INSTALL#
Before you install any tiles, all the seams, cracks, screws and corners need to be properly sealed and waterproofed. This means cement board needs waterproofing. When installed, cement board is water-resistant, not water-proof. There’s a common misconception that cement board is totally waterproof because it’s designed for wet areas, but it isn’t. Cement board comes in sheets, usually 3’x5′, and is secured to stubs with special screws. It’s used as a sub-material behind tile in a shower, bathroom or kitchen. concrete board or wonder-board is a cement based product designed as a sheathing material for walls and floors.
