Bathroom Tiles

If you don’t know the proper techniques for how to tile a bathroom floor and wall, the job can be quite a tedious one. It’s not so much that it’s challenging, it just takes a lot of planning, perseverance and patience. If you’re thinking of redoing the wall or floor tiles in your bathroom, or you’re moving into a new home that needs tile work done, the energy you expend is worth the effort. If you have the time and skill to do the job yourself, you’ll save the money you would pay a professional to do it.

First, you’ll need to remove all the old tiles, using a chisel. Be careful that you don’t break tiles as you go, because then it will just take longer to get them up. Use a grease cleaner on the floor after your old tiles are removed, so that your new tiles will stick properly.

Next, measure your tile and cut it to fit the bathroom floor. You can go out and rent a wet saw for use on large tiles, or use a tile cutter for small tiles, from a local hardware or home improvement store. Be sure that you recheck the measurements of your floor before you apply your adhesive or cut your tiles. Your measurements must be exact for your tiles to be laid correctly. Lay the tiles down without adhesive first, to make sure they’ll fit properly. This is called a dry run, and helps assure you that your plan will work. It’s an integral step in learning how to tile a bathroom.

Use the trowel to apply your adhesive, after you pull the tiles up following your dry run. A notched trowel will work best, to spread the tile adhesive to cover your bathroom floor. Ensure that the adhesive is applied evenly, and work in a two or three foot area, letting the adhesive sit for several minutes before you set the floor tiles in it. Place each tile into the adhesive firmly. Begin in the middle of the floor and work your way out to the walls. Include spacers properly, for each tile. Then leave the tiles to set overnight in the adhesive.

The next day, remove the spacers from the floor tiles and mix your grout. Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. Then use a rubber float to apply your grout, in between each of the floor tiles, and at a forty-five degree angle. Be sure that you wipe any excess grout off with a wet sponge so that it doesn’t dry in places where you don’t want it. Wipe the tiles clean in an hour or so, after you check them. Then use a caulk that is mildew-resistant to seal the edges of the tiles near the cabinets, sink, toilet and bathtub. Let your floor cure for about a week and then mop it until it’s clean.

If you follow all these steps correctly, and take your time in learning how to tile a bathroom, you’ll have a bathroom that you’re proud to show off to your friends.