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How to Tile a Shower
by Clint Miller
Description: DYI tips for laying down tile in your shower.
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The first step is to put up a sturdy cement board backer. I
like to use Hardibacker. Once the Hardibacker is up it is time
to get to the tiling. This is the fun part.
1. Do not use Mastic, use a thinset and stay away from the
premixed stuff.
2. You want to dampen the cement board prior to troweling
thinset on. If you do not, the cement board will draw the
moisture out of the thinset too quickly, making for a brittle
set that is susceptible to cracking.
3. Pick out the right trowel for your thinset and tile size,
also pay attention to spacing recommendations and use the right
spacers. I recommend 1/8" or less spacing so that you can use
unsanded grout (easier to seal).
4. Remember you are not going to grout at the corners, you are
going to caulk so try to maintain an even spacing.
Make sure you use tiles made for walls and follow the
directions on the bag of thinset as to what type of trowel you
will need.
You want to measure up from the bottom of the backerboard the
height of a tile minus 1/2". This will give you a 1/2" overlap
over the tile lip on your shower pan. Mark this with a sharpie
and using a level transfer the mark across the shower stall.
Trowel on some thinset and spread it with a notched trowel.
Then set the tile into it by twisting slightly while pushing
into the thinset. Remove the tile to make sure you have good
coverage on the back. Reinstall and keep setting tiles using
spacers in between. Let the bottom row set up for 24 hours.
After 24 hours you can repeat the procedure setting each row of
tile on top of the last row of tile. Continue until you reach
the top of the shower stall. Here is the procedure again:
1. Measure up from top of the last row. Mark line with a level
as guide for next row.
2. Spread thinset between last row of tile and marked line with
v-notched trowel.
3. Set tile into thinset using spacers all around.
4. Repeat for next row up.
After letting the tile set for 48 hours you are ready to grout
the tile. Mix up a batch of grout and use a sponge float to
smooth it into the joints. After 30-40 minutes (check the
directions on the bag of grout) you want to wipe the excess
grout with a damp sponge and a circular motion. Keep wiping
with a clean sponge until the tile is clear. Let the grout cure
for 24-48 hours before sealing.
Clinton Miller is an avid do-it-yourselfer
who has taken on and completed dozens of projects ranging from
changing a wall receptacle to building a tile shower. He often
details his projects along with articles and news at
http://diyda.blogspot.com
