Turn an ordinary bathroom into a luxurious spa with tiled shower enclosures.
Vinyl and fiberglass tub and shower enclosures eventually fall victim to hard water stains, suffer seemingly permanent dinginess caused by both mineral buildup and soap scum or become cracked, causing serious plumbing problems in your home. Tile showers offer better protection against these and other shower and tub problems, while also making your entire bathroom look more elegant. Update your shower enclosure to tile and give yourself a vote of confidence by accomplishing this do-it-yourself project without the need to hire professionals.
Instructions
Wall and Floor Preparation
1. Prepare existing walls and floors for tile installation by removing existing enclosures. Prepare regular walls by sanding away paint or removing wallpaper to create a rough texture that helps tile adhesive and tiles stick to walls more easily.
2. Turn off the water supply to prevent complications during installation. Empty water lines by turning water on at the faucet and catching water with a bucket.
3. Install a backer board to create a moisture resistant barrier between the tile and moisture intolerant wall types. Measure the walls of the shower enclosure and cut sections of the board to fit. Drill holes and make special cuts with a drill or jigsaw, to create the necessary openings for attaching shower fixtures. Nail the backer board to the wall studs with the smoothest side facing outward; use a stud finder to simplify this step.
Applying Tiles
4. Locate the center of each shower wall using a chalk line. Pull a chalk line taut between two opposite corners of the installation area or each wall section. Snap the chalk line and reposition between the two remaining corners of the wall. The point where the two lines intersect marks where you should install the first tile of each wall section.
5. Apply tile adhesive over the intersection point, using a toothed trowel to create ridges that help the adhesive produce stronger holds. Set the first tile into place; align the center of the tile with the intersection point of the two lines from the previous step. Press the tile firmly into place; twist slightly to create a firm hold.
6. Set tile spacers into place against all four sides of the first tile. These spacers ensure you create uniform gaps between each tile. Add spacers as necessary and leave all in place until you finish tiling.
7. Work in small patches, applying more tile adhesive as necessary. Continue to set tiles into place, finishing one wall at a time. Start each new wall by attaching the first tile to the intersection points you located previously with the chalk lines. Measure and cut tiles to fit around fixtures or into narrow gaps at corners; use tile snippers or a ceramic cutting blade to produce the necessary cuts. Allow the finished tiles to dry overnight.
8. Remove the tile spacers and apply grout to the gaps between tiles. Use a rubber grout float to smooth beads of grout into the gaps without damaging the surfaces of the showers tiles. Allow the grout to dry for at least two days before using the shower again.
Tips Warnings
Instead of tiling your shower floor, you could install a ceramic shower pan.
Measure and cut tiles to fit around fixtures or into narrow gaps at corners
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