Tiling your shower might seem daunting, but with the right approach, it becomes an achievable and rewarding project. Whether refreshing an outdated bathroom or creating a brand-new space, this guide will help you understand the necessary steps and techniques for a successful DIY tiling job.
From selecting the right materials and tools to applying grout and adding those final finishing touches, each part of the process plays a vital role in achieving a professional, polished result. With patience and preparation, tiling your shower can save costs and give you a sense of accomplishment when the job is complete.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Tiling a shower is a manageable DIY project if you have moderate skills, the right tools, and proper planning. Start by preparing the walls, ensuring they are waterproof, and gathering all necessary materials.
Plan the layout carefully, apply adhesive in sections, and place the tiles starting from the centre. You’ll need to cut tiles to fit around fixtures and edges.
After tiling, apply grout and clean off the excess. Seal the grout to protect it from moisture, and finish by caulking the edges and cleaning the tiles. With careful attention to detail, you can achieve a professional-looking result.
Preparing The Wall
Properly preparing the wall surface before applying tiles is key to ensuring the tiles adhere properly and last for years.
Clean And Inspect The Surface
Ensure the wall surface is clean, smooth, and free of debris, dust, or grease. If you’re replacing old tiles, remove any remnants of old adhesive or grout and repair any holes or cracks in the wall.
Apply A Primer
If the wall surface is porous, such as plaster or plasterboard, a primer is recommended to prevent the surface from absorbing too much moisture from the adhesive. This will help ensure the adhesive bonds effectively to the wall.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is essential in bathrooms, especially in moist areas near showers or sinks. A waterproof membrane can be applied to prevent water from seeping into the walls, which can cause damage over time.
Planning The Layout
Proper planning will help ensure a professional-looking finish and minimise tile wastage. Here are the steps to planning your layout:
Mark The Starting Point
Start using a spirit level to mark a straight horizontal line across the wall, around one tile’s height from the floor or the bathtub’s edge. This will serve as a guide for placing the first row of tiles.
Dry Lay The Tiles
Dry-laying tiles before applying the adhesive is a good way to visualise how the tiles look and identify where cuts are needed. This can avoid awkward cuts at the corners or edges, which can affect the overall look.
Applying The Adhesive
You can begin tiling once the wall is prepped and the layout is planned.
Mix The Tile Adhesive
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the tile adhesive to the correct consistency. It should be thick enough to hold the tiles in place but spreadable for easy application.
Spread The Adhesive
Spread the adhesive onto the wall using a notched trowel, starting at the bottom and working up.
Spread only a small section at a time to prevent the adhesive from drying before you can place the tiles. The grooves created by the notched trowel will help the tiles bond securely to the wall.
Place The Tiles
Starting from your marked guideline, press the first tile into the adhesive. Use tile spacers between each tile to ensure consistent spacing.
Continue placing tiles, working in rows and checking with a spirit level to ensure everything is aligned correctly.
Cutting The Tiles
Inevitably, you will need to cut tiles to fit around edges, corners, or fixtures such as taps or pipes.
Measure For Cutting
Measure the space where the cut tile will go, ensuring you account for the space taken by the grout. Mark these measurements on the tile using a pencil.
Cut The Tile
Depending on the type of tile, you can use a tile cutter for straight cuts or a wet saw for more intricate cuts around fixtures. Tile nippers may be used to remove small sections carefully for small adjustments or corners.
Smooth The Edges
After cutting, smooth the edges of the tile with a rubbing stone to prevent sharp edges that could damage the surrounding tiles or create a hazard.
Grouting The Tiles
Once the tiles are all in place and the adhesive has enough time to dry (usually 24 hours), grouting is the next step.
Mix The Grout
Prepare the grout following the manufacturer’s instructions. The consistency should be similar to a thick paste but still easily spreadable.
Apply The Grout
Using a grout float, spread the grout diagonally across the tile joints. Push the grout into the gaps, ensuring no air pockets are left between the tiles.
Wipe off excess grout with a damp sponge, and be careful not to remove too much from the joints.
Clean And Polish The Tiles
Once the grout has started to set, clean the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any grout residue. After the grout has fully dried, usually within 24-48 hours, you can give the tiles a final clean and polish using a soft cloth.
Sealing The Grout
Grout is porous and can absorb water, which may lead to mould or damage over time. Sealing the grout helps protect it from moisture and staining.
Choose A Sealer
Different grout sealers are available, including penetrating sealers that soak into the grout and surface sealers that create a protective barrier on top. Choose one that suits the type of grout you’ve used.
Apply The Sealer
Use a small brush or applicator to apply the sealer along the grout lines. Allow the sealer to dry for the recommended time before using the shower or exposing the tiles to moisture.
Final Touches
With the tiles and grout in place, finishing the project with some final touches is time.
Caulking
To ensure the joints between the tiles and the bathroom fixtures are watertight, apply silicone caulk along the edges where the tiles meet the shower tray, sink, or floor. This helps prevent water from seeping into gaps and causing damage.
Polishing The Tiles
Once the caulk has dried, clean the entire surface of the tiles with a damp sponge or soft cloth to remove any remaining dust or adhesive residue. This final polish will give your tiles a clean, bright finish.
Tools And Materials Needed
Before starting any tiling project, gathering all the necessary tools and materials is crucial. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Tiles (your choice of size and style)
- Tile adhesive
- Grout
- Tile spacers
- Notched trowel
- Tile cutter
- Spirit level
- Measuring tape
- Sponge
- Grout float
- Bucket
- Safety equipment (gloves, goggles, mask)
Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your tiled bathroom wall looking new and clean.
Clean The Tiles Regularly
Use a mild cleaning solution and a soft sponge to avoid scratching the tiles.
Re-Seal The Grout Annually
To keep it protected from moisture.
Remove Mould Or Mildew Promptly
To avoid long-term damage to the tiles or grout.
Conclusion
Tiling a bathroom wall can be a rewarding DIY project with proper preparation and attention to detail. You can achieve a professional result by properly preparing the surface, planning your layout carefully, and following the correct tiling techniques.
Whether tiling a small area or renovating the entire bathroom, following these steps will help you complete the project successfully and enhance your space’s appearance and functionality.
FAQs About Tile Shower
What Type Of Tile Is Best For A Shower?
Porcelain tile is our number one choice for showers because of its diversity, durability, and water resistance. Unlike some other tile materials, porcelain doesn’t have any pores, which prevents the buildup of mildew and soap scum.
Are Tile Showers Hard To Maintain?
Although tile is one of the cheapest shower surfaces, it is a little hectic to clean because of grout. You have to keep replacing the grout; otherwise, it will harbour mould and mildew, which are the leading causes of allergies.
Can Shower Tiles Be Removed And Reused?
The grout can be removed using either a sharp scraper, such as a wall paper scraper, or a Stanley knife. Once all the adhesive and grout have been scraped off the old tiles, you can reuse ceramic tiles to retile your wall as needed.
How Do You Waterproof A Shower After Tiling?
If the ceramic tile is already installed, there is no way to fully waterproof the floor after the fact unless you replace the tile and install a legitimate waterproof membrane during the replacement process. Some people will try to put a sealer on the grout joints, but that doesn’t waterproof them.
Which Tile Is More Waterproof?
Stone tiles are often waterproof, and porcelain tiles are far more waterproof. Porcelain tiles, also made from clay, have a very similar look to ceramic tiles. However, they undergo a different heating process, which makes them less porous. This also makes them harder and less prone to chipping.
