A bathroom really isn’t a bathroom without the wall tile. And because there are tons of different tile materials, sizes, colors andshapes, wall tile can be the perfect addition to your bathroom vanity and make any bathroom design themestand out from the rest. But with the high price of installation, many homeownerschoose to do the work themselves. Unfortunately, installing your own tile canquickly go wrong if you use the wrong tools, materials and advice. Use thefollowing tips for installing bathroom tile and you’ll be sure to get a tilejob you’ll be proud to show off.
1.Substrates
Old tubs and shower enclosures often used a water resistantdrywall known as “green board”. This inferior material just won’t cut it in wetlocations like a bathroom area. You’ll need to remove any drywall down to thebare studs and install a waterproof substrate. Cementious fiberboard sheetsmust be installed against the studs using corrosion resistant drywall screws orit will just fall off the wall later on down the road. Tape the seams usingthinset and fiberglass drywall tape before moving onto the next step.
2. Layout
Tile layout is crucial to ensuring that all pieces lookuniform and grout joints remain consistent. To get the best tile layout, you’llneed to find the center of the wall horizontally and vertically. Once you havea center point, transfer the mark to the top and bottom of the wall. Snap achalk line to use as a guide when installing the wall tile.
3. Thinset
Most tile installers swear by thinset as the premieradhesive for wall tiles. However, you may want to use synthetic tile mastic inareas where temperature variations fluctuate wildly or where an exterior wall hastile.
Mixing thinset is easy. Use a ½” drill and a mixing paddlebit to stir thinset and water together in a five gallon plastic bucket. Mix toa pancake batter like consistency by stirring in water or thinset as needed.Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before use.
4. Installing Tiles
Spread the tile adhesive against your recently snapped chalkline using a notched trowel that matches the mastic manufacturer’s specifications.Don’t cover the line or you won’t be able to set your tile against it. Spread workablesections of adhesive onto the wall using the flat side of the trowel first,then come back and comb the notches into the thinset.
Starting from the bottom of the wall, press tiles in place,separating them with plastic tile spacers. After a few rows of tiles, allow thetiles to sit for a half hour to prevent the tiles from falling off the wallbefore the mastic is dry. Wipe away any excess mastic with a wet sponge. Allowthe tiles to dry 24 hours before moving to the next step.
5. Grout
Remove the tile spacers carefully and then mix grout justlike you did with the thinset, but let the mix stand for 15-20 minutes beforeusing. Apply the grout using a float sponge. Don’t worry about getting thegrout everywhere on the tiles, just be sure to evenly apply it to the groutjoints. Allow it to sit 30 minutes before wiping the excess grout away with adamp sponge. Let it dry36 hours before use.