Wall Tile Installation Guide

Dean says that one of the most important tips for any tile setting job including mosaics is to start with a perfectly flat surface.

Wall tile installation guide.

Step 1 prepare the wall. Showers and bathrooms installation guide. To install ceramic wall tile use a level and measuring tape to mark the tile locations on the wall with chalk. Measure and mark the spot for your second row of tile check your mark for level then attach a board to the wall to act as a guide.

However wall tile installation has its own set of rules that you dare break at your own risk. The obvious way to tile a wall is to start at the bottom and work your way up. Before you begin tiling check the surface with a straightedge. And that works fine if the base of the wall usually the floor or bathtub is perfectly flat and level.

If you find a dip in a wall flatten it by screeding a layer of setting type joint compound over it as shown here. You ll end up with misaligned tiles and grout lines that vary in width. Remove the tile and prepare the wall according to the corresponding instructions above or tile over the existing tile. After all the penalty for poorly installed wall tile is a lifetime of having to look at the stuff.

If not the tile will simply amplify the imperfections. Ceramic tiles can be installed directly on drywall plaster or if they are in moist areas onto green drywall or even better cement backer board. If existing tiles are beyond repair remove the tile and install a piece of wallboard in its place. So if you re looking to put your tiles on a bathroom or kitchen wall be sure you get semi vitreous or impervious tiles.

When tiling onto walls with floor tiles consideration must be given to weight as floor tiles are often heavier than wall tiles. Remember to apply the adhesive using a 15mm u notch or a 10mm v notch trowel and spread towards one direction only. For wall cladding follow the same procedure as previously shown in the floor installation section. Our sales teams will be happy to confirm the weight of the tiles so you can confirm suitability.

Use long sweeping motions to apply mortar to the wall and start placing your tiles in the marked locations. If you plan to cut the bottom row of tile start your installation with the second row. So let s look at the basics of wall tile installation that will make everything go a lot smoother less frustrating and less costly. Be sure to put spacers between each tile as you go.

That way if you do have to cut tile to fit they ll be at the bottom where the tub or shower pan might be slightly out of level.