Tile a shower

Hi. Welcome to my lens on Tile a Shower.

Hope this lens may give you few thoughts and ideas.

Please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

I'll try to think about your comments when I next up date this lens.   Tom.

                              -------------------------------

To tile a Shower, it adds beauty and practicality to your home. It also increases durability and value. Below is a basic guide.

  1. Gut it.
 Get started by gutting the shower stall right down to the studs, while doing this you may need to remove the pan and ceiling.

 2. A Cement board.
  Next put up a sturdy cement board backer,this is just like putting up drywall. Cut to fit, then screw it to the studs. Leave a 1/8" gap between each panel. A hole saw is needed, to cut holes where the head and the handles will come through. To get the desired thickness,use shims behind the cement board,getting it flush with the lip of the pan. To seal the seams between the panels , use 100% silicone caulk bathroom sealant.

 3.Measure up.
  From the bottom of the backer board measure up the height of a tile minus 1/2". Doing this will give you a 1/2" overlap over the lip on your pan base. Mark it, using a sharpie,with a level, transfer the mark across the stall. This will act as a guide for the top of the first row. Then the tiles will be level.
 
 4. Thinset Mix.
Next mix up enough thinset for the bottom row.
 
  5. Avoid a brittle set
   Avoid a brittle set by dampening the cement board with a sponge. Not doing this, will allow the cement board to draw moisture out of the thinset. If the moisture is absorbed too quickly,it will make for a set that is susceptible to cracking.

 6. First Row.
  Laying the first row,by troweling on some thinset and spread it using a notched trowel. Set the tile into it. Twist slightly while pushing it into the thinset. Then remove it to check you have good coverage on the back. Reinstall. Then keep setting the tiles using spacers in between. Stop after finishing the first row,you should let them set for 24 hours.
 
 7. Repeat.
   Repeat, each row on top of the last row. Then continue until you reach the shower stall top. Measuring up from top of the last row, mark a line with a level as guide for next row, spreading thinset between last row and the marked line with a v-notched trowel. Set into thinset ,using spacers all around. Repeat for next row up and so on as you go.
 
 8. Then wait.
  Let it all set for 48 hours at least.
 
 9. Floating the Grout into Spaces in between.
  Start by mixing up a batch of grout, with sponge float, smooth it into those joints. To avoid disappointment please check the directions on the bag of grout. Time required is usually 30-40 minutes or so. Next wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge in a circular motion. Carry on wiping with a clean sponge until the surface is clear.
 
 10. Let it cure.
  Before sealing,let the grout cure for 24-48 at least,you don't want to spoil it now.

 11. That's it your Done!
    That's it finished! You now know the basics of how to tile a shower.
    Happy tiling. 

12.For more about tiling yourself try this.
        Click here.