How to Attach Cement Board to Brick Walls

Answer: J.D., I would recommend attaching 1"x3" furring strips to the brick walls using Tapcon anchors and liquid nails adhesive. Due to the fact that cement board and tile are very heavy I would attach furring strips on 12 inch centers along the brick wall surfaces. Make sure that you install Tapcon anchors every 10 to 12 inches along the length of the furring strips. Also, install the Tapcon anchors in the mortar that is sandwiched in between the bricks. Use a hammer drill to pre-drill the holes in the mortar and make sure you use Tapcon anchors that penetrate into the mortar at least 1.5 inches.

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Once the furring strips and liquid nails adhesive has set up for 24 hours, then attach the cement board to the furring strips using non-corrosive screws (Rock-on fasteners). Also, make sure to first install a vapor barrier between the brick walls and furring strips, and the cement backer board.

Once you’ve install the cement board onto the brick walls, via the furring strips, then tape and mud the seams using an alkaline resistant tape and thinset mortar. Once the thinset mortar has cured, you can begin tiling your custom ceramic tile shower.