Proper Way To Tile Shower Walls

Give your shower an update with new tile.

Proper way to tile shower walls.

For the vertical layout begin your pattern at the top of the wall so there ll be full uncut tile at the top. One way to limit tile lippage is to stagger large format tiles into thirds. Wear skid proof shoes kneepads gloves. Tiling a shower is a diy project that you can usually accomplish in a few days with the right tools and equipment.

To prevent water damage you must install a waterproof membrane just below the tile bonding mortar as close to the tile as possible. Cut the sheets to fit with a utility knife and staple them to the studs. Mark your tile layout on the substrate and mark out your first course carefully. Start by turning off the water to the shower so you don t accidentally ruin your work.

You want your thin set to be the consistency of peanut butter not too thick. Laying the tiles 1. Unless you plan to replace the shower pan too leave it in place. Sponge the tile and grout joints.

You should get the shower wall down to the bare studs. Center a tile horizontally along the length of the wall and do a quick dry fit to make sure you don t have a lot of tiny tile at the end of the rows. So the next step is to make sure the walls are flat and plumb and if not adjust as needed. Rip out any old tile drywall or surrounds that were on the wall.

To do this grab a very straight board or flat edge that is long enough to span each wall. Stagger large format tiles in thirds. Water can penetrate through cement based grout and work its way through the substrate. Begin by protecting adjacent surfaces from spilled grout using painter s tape and rosin paper or plastic sheeting.

Large tiles tend to cup or bow upward in the middle of the tile. There are two types of waterproof membranes sheet and liquid applied options. This in turn creates a slight lip between two adjacent tiles. Dampen the cement board with a.

Mix enough thin set for the bottom row. Well that and a tile leveling system. The staggering of tiles in thirds helps limit this effect. Prep the shower area for tile layout to start tiling prepare by running a bead of silicone caulk around the perimeter of the area you are tiling to seal it image 1.

If so adjust your layout to have wider tile on the sides. In order for your tile shower to look good the walls need to be flat and plumb perfectly vertical. If you must use more than one sheet layer them so that each upper. Cover the wall studs with a layer of plastic sheeting.

Use the back of a plastic spoon to smooth the caulk. Use a wet saw with a diamond blade to cut all the tiles.