Posted under:
Tile FlooringSUPPLIES
- Safety glasses
- Grout removal tool or old flat head screwdriver
- Chisel
- Scraper
- Piece of wood
- Pencil
- Tile cutter
- Waterproof tile adhesive
- Spreader
- Plastic spacers
- Sponge
- Waterproof grout
- Rubber bladed spreader
- Silicon sealant
- Dry cloth
Overview
New bathroom tile can give your bathroom a fresh, clean look instantly when your project is completed. Though this home improvement project may require a huge amount of time and effort, the results should be well worth it. Whether you are replacing broken, stained, or simply out of style tiles, with a few tools, you'll be well on your way to updating this room.
Preparing for New Tile
Step 1
Wearing your safety glasses, remove the grout between the old tiles. You should scrape out as much of the grout as you can using a specialized grout removal tool, or a flat head screwdriver that you no longer need.
Step 2
Remove the old tiles. If they are already broken, you should be able to pull them up with the chisel. If they are intact, the easiest way to remove them is to break them diagonally with the chisel, then pull them up. If you want to keep the tiles intact, you will need to work from the edges very carefully with the chisel to pull up each tile.
Step 3
Scrape off any remaining loose paint or adhesive on the surface you will be tiling.
Step 4
Make a gauge stick. Cut a piece of wood to the height of the tile you are using and mark off the width of each tile along the top.
Step 5
Use your gauge stick to determine the placement of the tiles. When you reach a corner, try to ensure that there is at least half the width of the tile on each side of the joint. Around pipes, it is ideal if two tiles join over the center of the opening so that each has a half circle cut from it.
Step 6
Lightly mark the walls where each tile will lay. Cut your tiles as needed to fit in corners and around pipes.
Installing New Tile
Step 1
Install the whole tiles first, saving the smaller cut tiles for later. Spread waterproof tile adhesive over the wall, one small area at a time. The adhesive will generally dry in 30 minutes, so do not apply more than you can cover in that time. Put tile spacers between the tiles to leave room for grout, and carefully lay the tiles in the adhesive.
Step 2
Using a damp sponge, wipe any remaining adhesive from the surface of the tiles. Remove the spacers once the tiles have been laid. Move on to the next section, repeating until all the whole tiles are laid.
Step 3
Lay the border tiles and tiles surrounding pipes or other fixtures last, using the same method as with the whole tiles. Allow 24 hours for the tile adhesive to dry before proceeding to the next step.
Step 4
Spread grout between the tiles, working with one small section at a time, as before. Apply the grout using a rubber bladed spreader. Wipe any reside from the face of the tiles. Continue working, one small section at a time, until the grout is completely installed.
Step 5
Apply a silicon sealant around the pipes and other fixtures. Squeeze the sealant into the opening at a 45 degree angle around the edges of the opening.
Step 6
When the grout has dried, polish the tiles with a dry cloth. Let the tiles and grout set for approximately one week before using the bathroom for showering or bathing.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Always wear safety glasses when removing the tile as small pieces of tile and grout can come loose easily.
Resources
