Installing a
Let's face it: tile is in. And in many cases, it doesn't matter much if it is ceramic, porcelain or a natural stone tile that you use. People just love tile! Functionally speaking, tile is the best thing to put in an area where there will be a lot of water exposure. But first things first. You have to create an ideal foundation for the tile -- a foundation that will last for a long time. A foundation that will be unaffected by exposure to water on a daily basis. A foundation that will hold up to an 18 x 18 inch tile if you desire. A foundation made of 1/2-inch cement backerboard.
Instructions
Install a Wall
1. Remove any existing drywall from the shower area. Inspect the area for the presence of mold and mold spores. Allow any damp or wet areas to dry. Treat the presence of spores with straight bleach and allow the treatment to dry.
2. Install a vapor barrier directly over the studs. The vapor barrier layer can be either 6 mil plastic sheeting, 15 lb. roofer's felt or 30 lb. roofer's felt.
3. Measure the backerboard and cut it to size. Using backerboard screws, fasten the backerboard to the studs, placing a screw every 6 inches.
4. After installing the backerboard, mix a small batch of thinset so it is the consistency of peanut butter. Using a 6- inch drywall knife, spread a line of thinset over the backerboard seams and embed the 2-inch fiberglass tape into the thinset. Run the drywall knife over the fiberglass tape to set it in place and to scrape the excess thinset away. This process is very similar to taping drywall.
5. Allow the thinset to dry. When the thinset on the tape is dry, it is okay to begin tiling over the backerboard.
6. When tiling a vertical surface, it is very important to use an adhesive, whether it is a high-quality latex modified thinset or a maximum strength acrylic mastic, that is appropriate for the tile size. A smaller, 4-inch by 4-inch tile requires the use of a smaller-toothed trowel than an 18 x 18-inch tile. Use the following recommendations when choosing a trowel/tile size combination:
Tile smaller than 6 x 6 inches: 3/16 x 5/32 V-notch trowel
Tile 12 x 12 inches: 1/4 x 1/4 x 3/8 trowel
Tile 16 x 16 inches and larger: 1/2 x 1/2 square notch trowel
7. If using thinset, mix thinset so it is the consistency of peanut butter. Using a spray bottle, mist the backerboard until it is damp. Load the appropriate trowel with thinset, or mastic if using mastic, and spread the adhesive on the wall using up-strokes. Spread as much thinset as you can cover in less than five minutes of working time.
8. Begin placing your tile in the adhesive and use spacers as you go. The size of the spacer you use is completely up to you. There are no rules as far as what spacer size to use for a particular tile size. If you are not using a fast-drying adhesive, allow the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours before installing grout. Follow grout installation directions on the fast-drying adhesive packaging before installing grout.
9. Mix grout so it, too, is a peanut butter consistency. Using a grout float, spread the grout using up-strokes, like you used when spreading the adhesive. Allow the grout to set up for 15-20 minutes and then, using a damp grout sponge, begin cleaning the grout off of the tiles. Allow the grout to cure for at least 72 hours before sealing. Place a bead of silicone caulk in all corners for a long-lasting seal.
Tags: Bathroom Shower, Bathroom Shower Wall, foundation that, foundation that will, peanut butter