The Basics On How To Install Bathroom Tile
Choosing tile for a bathroom renovation is one of the most entertaining parts of the job. If you’re having your bathroom tiled professionally installed, that’s great. The following information won’t apply to you, but if you’re looking to install tile yourself after you purchase it from Transworld Tile, this guide may come in handy. While there are other, more detailed guides and videos on the internet to give you even more information, this basic step-by-step will help you have an idea of the process you will have to go through when you install your bathroom tile.
PLAN EVERYTHING OUT
Before you do anything, take the time to plan what your bathroom will look like when it’s finished and figure out the exact supplies you will need. Also make sure that you purchase a bit more that the amount of tile you’re expecting to use just in case some tiles break or you have to cut them for odd places.
MARK THE LAYOUT
Measure the total height that needs to be tiled around the tub. Make the center line. Now you need to calculate how many tiles will fit in this space below the midpoint. If it’s less than a whole number, adjust the midpoint down so that a full number of tiles will fit in this space and you will use an oversized tile for the top. Draw a horizontal line all the way around the space to be tiled at this mark.
APPLY THE MORTAR
Start at the bottom of the wall and apply a thick layer of mortar all throughout one-quarter of the tiling space. This will dry in 20 to 30 minutes so apply no more than mortar to the space than the amount of tiles you think you can place in this time.
ADD THE TILES
Start placing tiles from the horizontal line that you created. If you have self-spacing tiles, go ahead and place them close together. If not, use plastic spacers to make sure there is enough room for the grout. Place the tiles much like you would a checkerboard and only place full tiles and not partials. Set tiles along the lines and then fill in from there.
CUT TILES TO FIT
Once you’ve placed all the full-sized tiles, you will place the filler tiles which will need to be cut. Use a tile cutter specifically meant just for this purpose. Mark the places where you will need to cut, then make the cut and place the tile onto the mortar.
FINISH WITH GROUT AND CAULK
After all the tiles are in place and the mortar has set, it’s time to add the grout. Grout is a concrete-like substance that will fill in the gaps between the tile. You will need to move pretty quickly to fill in the gaps. Let the grout set and then take a moist sponge evenly over the tile to remove the grout after 15 to 20 minutes.
Lastly, pat yourself on the back for a bathroom tile job well done!
