The trick with wall tiles is getting them to stay on the walls until the adhesive dries. The larger the tiles, the bigger the problem. If you're using large porcelain tiles, one trick is to shim under the bottom tiles, between the tiles and the floor, so they can't slide down. Each subsequent row of tiles above it is sitting on spacers between the tiles so they can't slide either. Start with a flat, smooth wall.
Instructions
1. Mark a horizontal line with your level and pencil, putting it at the height of a tile plus a quarter-inch. Thus, if the porcelain tiles are 10 inches high, the line should be at 10 1/4 inches up from the floor. Make a vertical line at the center of the wall, from top to bottom.
2. Apply tile mastic over the base of the wall with a notched trowel. Proceed from end to end, covering the space between the floor and the horizontal line.
3. Set a porcelain tile into the mastic, with the top edge of the tile lined up with the horizontal line and the side along the vertical line. Set more tiles next to the first one, building to the sides. Set spacers between the tiles as you go.
4. Cut the tiles at the ends of the course with your tile cutter to fit at the side walls.
5. Cut off the end of a shim with your razor knife so it fills the quarter-inch space between the tile and floor. The space may vary a little in size (if the floor is not level); thus, adjust the cut on the shim so it will fit tightly. Put two shims per tile so the tiles can't slide down the wall.
6. Spread additional mastic across the wall above the bottom row of tiles. Hang the next row. Repeat, starting each row at the center and working to the sides. Cut the ends as needed. Tile the entire wall.
7. Allow the tiles to set overnight. Pull out the spacers and shims.
8. Force grout into the spaces between the tiles with a grout float. Work from the top of the wall down. Wipe up excess grout from the tile with a damp sponge.
Tags: , horizontal line, with your, bottom tiles, porcelain tiles