Drywall Gap question

[polarmystery]

Hey folks,

I'm currently re-modeling my basement, and I had a question about drywall. Part of my re-model is to add a curb-less shower. The drain is going to be a linear drain at the right side of the shower at the bottom of the slop (see pic). I understand that when you hang drywall, you are supposed to leave a gap between the foundation and the drywall base (I used a 1/2" around the perimeter).

My question is, when I add tile to the shower (floor and wall), are you supposed to put a waterproof membrane all the way down to the bottom of the floor (thereby covering the drywall gap), or just to the edge of the drywall? I think the answer is put the membrane to the bottom, and when I combine the underlayment with the wall membrane it will be sealed off. I just want to make sure.

Any thoughts, tips are appreciated.

Model pics attached

 

[herm0016]

yes you need to waterproof your shower. I think i would use cement board and redguard. you really should not have drywall behind the tile or whatever your finish is at all.

 

[Greenman]

Waterproof the shower pan and the walls. Don't use sheetrock anywhere in the shower. Hardibacker, wonderboard, goboard, or densheild will do the job.

 

[rsutoratosu]

Yup.. they will get moldy and break apart behind

 

[polarmystery]

Alright noted. I am all new to this so any feedback is appreciated. What about the ceiling above the shower? I'm not putting tile on it, just the three surrounding walls. (Picture attached w/update).

I found a youtube video explaining the gap as well (stating the backer-board has that gap, and you fill the gap with the tile.

 

[Sukhoi]

When I first met my wife she was renting a room from a slumlord. The guy had converted a tub to a shower simply by adding a showerhead. The walls were still painted drywall. They were squishy.

 

[pcgeek11]