How to Tile a Shower 

How to Tile a Shower - Learn How to Tile a Shower Successfully
By Bob Wiseman

In this article " how to tile a shower" the intention is to provide you with 10 easy steps to follow if you're planning to tile your shower. DIY at home can be very rewarding, but can also be incredibly frustrating if you get it wrong. As well as being frustrating it can also end up costing you money if you then have to call in a professional to finish the job. When learning how to tile a shower there are 10 steps you should try to follow. Here they are.

Assuming that you are replacing an existing shower, remove all of the previous tiles, adhesive and backing board. Strip everything back to the bare walls/stud and if you are replacing your shower pan remove the old one now.

When you have stripped everything right back the first thing you need to do is install a vapor barrier. A vapour barrier is typically a material that is made of a plastic or foil sheet that resists the diffusion of moisture through a wall. Vapor barriers have a varying degrees of permeability and it is best to use an impermeable one, rated (< perm).

Next, you need to erect your cement backer board. Cut it to the required size and screw it to the studs, leaving a 1/8 gap where the panels meet. Make sure you cut holes to allow for your shower head and safety handles. Where the cement board meets the shower pan seal with a waterproof silicone.

Starting at the bottom measure on the backer board the height of one tile. Remember that this first row of tile has to overlap the tile lip on the shower pan. Mark the backer board at the top of this tile right around the shower. This mark is where your first row of tile will finish and serves to keep everything else level.

The next thing to remember when learning how to tile a shower is to mix just enough thinset to apply to your bottom row of tile.

You now need to moisten the back board. The reason for doing this is to ensure that the board does not draw too much moisture out of the thinset. If that were to happen the thinset could crack. Use a sponge to moisten it.

Using a notched trowel apply the thinset to the backer board and set your tile into it. Do not slide the tile but twist it slightly as you push it into the thinset. Check that the thinset has applied to the back of the tile by removing it and having a look. Then reapply the tile and set the remainder of the bottom row, making sure to use tile spacers between tiles to keep each tile equidistant. For best results you should let the bottom row set for 24 hours.

When they have set continue on with each subsequent row until you reach the top of the shower stall. When learning how to tile a shower only apply the thinset to the row that you are currently working on and remember to use your tile spacers at the corner of each tile.

When you have all the the tiles applied let everything is set for 48 hours.

Finally you now want to grout your tile. Mix your grout according to the instructions on the packet and used a sponge float to apply. Make sure all of the joints are filled with grout. After about 40 minutes wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge in circular motions. You will need to repeat this several times until the tile is clean. Let the grout set for 24 to 48 hours before applying any sort of sealer.

Learning how to tile a shower is one of those DIY tasks that when approached properly with the right tools, and the right planning can be carried out successfully. To make a success of anything instructions are necessary and laying tile is no different.

For a complete set of instructional videos on how to tile a shower have a look here. [http://www.learn-to-tile.info]How To Tile A Shower This video course offers step by step instructions from start to finish on every aspect of tiling. If you want to make a success of your tiling invest a little in yourself and get comprehensive instructions from a master tiler.

If you don't want a bad tiling job to become a permanent feature in your home learn now with the best tiling instructional course available. How To Tile A Shower

Thanks for Reading

Bob.

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