Give your shower or tub a tile makeover with this weekend DIY project.
All you need are a few basic skills, the right tools, and this step-by-step guide.
Use felt roofing paper with cement backerboard but not with greenboard or waterproofed gypsum board.
Credit: David A Land
Tiling around a bathtub introduces additional challenges.
If the tub is level, set a full tile at its top edge.
For a shower enclosure, extend the tile and the backerboard at least 6 inches above the showerhead.
For a tub surround only, roll out the backerboard and tile at least 12 inches above the tub.
For a high-end look, take the tile all the way to the ceiling.
Apply Cement
Apply asphalt roofing cement to the flange or rim of the tub.
The asphalt cement seals the tub to the waterproofing felt roofing paper or 4-millimeter poly sheet.
Overlap top pieces on lower ones and seal overlaps with asphalt mastic.
You’ll later fill in this gap with caulk.
Reinforce Corners
Reinforce the corners of the backerboard with fiberglass mesh tape.
Skim-coat the tape with thinset, let it dry, and sand smooth.
Repeat the process, feathering the edge of the thinset.
Use spacers to create a 1/4-inch gap for the bead of caulk.
Apply Caulk
Caulk the gapat the bottom of the backerboard with clear or white silicone caulk.
Thecaulk seals the jointbetween the tub and backerboard to prevent water from leaking through.
It also allows for some expansion and contraction of the different materials.
Hold a 4-foot level on both planes and mark reference lines.
Then snap layout grids whose dimensions equal the width of the tiles and grout joints.
Set shower tiles on the back wall first: Place shower tiles on the prepared adhesive.
Start at the bottom of the marked line and work your way up the back wall.
Use spacers to hold the shower tiles in place and ensure grout lines stay level.
Don’t set tiles around fixtures yet.
Start from the front, leaving space around fixtures.
Save the cut tiles for the back corner where the side wall meets the adjoining back wall.
Use spacers to keep grout lines even.
Tape the smaller cut tiles if necessary to hold them in place.
Leave at least 1/4 inch around the fixtures and fill that recess withsilicone caulk.
Let the adhesive cure overnight.
Mix grout in your desired color.
Apply it to the shower tiles with a grout float, forcing it into the joints in both planes.
Let the grout cure until a damp sponge won’t lift the grout out of the joints.
Dampen a sponge, wring it out thoroughly, and clean the surface twice, smoothing the joints.
Scrub off the haze with a clean rag.
When the grout has cured, seal the grout lines.
