How to Tile Walls

If you are ready to tile a wall, please take a minute to read these suggestions so that you end up with a beautiful tile addition to your home.  

Preparation:

     Ceramic tile an be installed on top of a clean, flat surface.  Just be sure that the surface can support the tile, as some tile is very heavy.  If you are going to be installing tile in a shower or tub, you need to first install 14 to 1/2 inch cement wallboard to the surface before tiling in order to support the tile.  It will then be able to resist the water if there are any cracks in the grout that let water get behind the tile.  The cement board needs to be cut carefully to ensure a proper fit over the area that will be tiled.  Use thinset mortar and galvanized screws to anchor the board at 6 inch intervals.  Use thinset to fill the joints, and utilize fiberglass tape for the purpose of sealing the joints and the seams where the original wall meets up with the cement board.

Laying out the Tile:

    The layout of the tile is part of the preparation process, and it is integral to a successful job.  You must make sure that your pattern is square.  Mark your walls where the tile will be located.  You want to have a symmetrical layout, so you want to start in the center.

Now it is Time to Install:

   First, ensure that the wall is clean.  After mixing your mortar adhesive, use a notched trowel to spread the mortar evenly.  You should start with an area no bigger than 3 x 3 feet.  The mortar should be applied to the wall in 1/4 inch ridges.  Next, place the tile onto the wall in a firm manner.  Use spacers to keep the size of the grout equal throughout the entire wall. 

If you Need to Cut Tiles:

     In any tile job, you will need to cut tiles because full tiles will not fit around all edges.  This is a very tricky job.  You need to use a wet saw that has a diamond blade, and these can be rented from a machine store if you do not own one.  Using a wet saw will help the cut tiles look professionally cut instead of sloppy.  If you do not have access to a wet saw, use a regular tile cutter instead.  You may also need a tile nipper, which is a great tool for small cuts. 

It is Time to Grout:

     Now that it is time to grout the joints, you will need a float with a rubber bottom to encourage the grout into the joints.  It is best to move the float in a diagonal motion to encourage smoothness.  Then send the float across the surface of the tile in order to remove any unnecessary grout.  You will be left with a cloudy film on top of the tile.  Before it dries, you must get rid of the film with a soft sponge and water.  Continue to rinse the sponge until you remove all the film.