Then use your spirit level to draw a horizontal line, known as a “datum line”, at that height all the way around … Line your tile gauge up with this point so one of its marks is on the centre point. From the top, measure down the height of one tile and make a mark. If you're not sure what kind of tile you should get, ask the store associate to recommend a tile for the type of room that you're going to be using it in. Repeat your second "drape" in the opposite direction. How to Tile an Uneven Wall. If you are up against an angled wall, this can be a little more difficult. Cut some tiles Otherwise, simply take separate measurements at the top and bottom of the space and cut the tile to fit: Step 2 As most surfaces are rarely entirely level, you may have to cut some of your tiles to make sure your first course of tiles is level. However, wall tile installation has its own set of rules that you dare break at your own risk. Apply the tile adhesive horizontally, using a trowel. If your tiles came with spacers on them, you should still be able to pull them out of the adhesive. If the wall doesn't have tile, it is probably painted or wallpapered. Remember to work in small sections at a time, only applying the adhesive where you're tiling. Or do you choose to complete one row, then do the next one? Make up your own! Wall not straight? References Fix the tile backer boards with tile … You can opt-out at any time. The only time that you should is when it is already flaking off and you can peel it off yourself. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If it is off by more than a half-inch, you need to correct the wall or floor. You increase the life of tile by ensuring that: 1. Can I tile up the wall of a vaulted ceiling to 18 feet, or would it create enough weight to fail somewhere? Floor & wall tile buying guide At Homebase, we offer a range of glass, ceramic and other types of wall tiles. Place the first tile onto the wall and push gently, twisting and sliding it, to make sure it sticks. Mark where the tile will need to be cut, making allowances for the usual grout line. Use a level to measure where you will lay your first course of tiles. Holding a bubble level to a straight, six- or eight-foot board, make sure that both walls and the floor are plumb (vertical) and level. How to tile a wall. Hold the trowel at 45º against the wall and press firmly, as to make sure the mortar bed is evenly distributed on surface. Be sure to check yours before you buy spacers. Put a tile spacer along each edge and use a cloth to wipe away any excess adhesive as you go. If there is paint on the wall, must I remove the paint first? Use long, sweeping motions to apply the mortar. Line the trim up with the tiles of your first wall. Then, using a vertical spirit level, line it up with the mark, and draw a line down the centre of the wall. A batten board is nothing more than a 1"x4" or 1"x2" board screwed directly into the wall horizontally. If not, make sure the sealer isn't expired and apply another coat. Add a narrow strip of tile adhesive to the untiled wall using the notched trowel and press the trim into it. Remove the tile and prepare the wall according to the corresponding instructions above, or tile over the existing tile. Additional trim and baseboards can cover up severe problems. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Vertical tiles can slide before they are firmly set into place. Measure the tile trim to the same size and make a mark on it to indicate where to cut. This article has been viewed 195,194 times. Then every subsequent "row" is a process of "draping over" the pyramid, back and forth. I want to have a wall of the tiling adhesive, using a patterned trowel. But this can be remedied by taking the following step. There is nothing as beautiful as a well-designed tile wall. % of people told us that this article helped them. The sealer prevents the water from seeping into the grout and the wall boards, which can cause rotting. You can, but if/when removing those tiles years from now, the plasterboard will probably break up as the tiles come off, leaving you with a much harder repair job whereas if you skim the plasterboard first, removing the tiles is far less likely to ruin the plasterboard walls. You have about five to 10 minutes to set the tile, so don't apply too much adhesive over a large area. Instead, bring it up to about 3/4 of the height of your tiles. Hold the trowel at a 45 degree angle and make sure that each ridge is full when troweling onto the wall and that the entire area where you will be setting the tile is covered. When there is nothing specified, that gives you the opportunity to do what you like. Got some good tips, which I plan to use. Slide the gauge to the left, mark by mark, until you are left with a gap at between the corner of the wall and your batten. This will prevent the grout from drying too much before you get the chance to wipe it off. Continue doing this until you get to the wall. It's easy to accidentally make a crack or hole in the drywall if you're not holding the chisel at a 45 degree angle while you work. By using our site, you agree to our. Mix and match colors, look up various brick laying techniques and try those out, make a mural. Many walls are somewhat uneven. This is the pattern used for laying bricks and the popular "subway tile" pattern. By starting your tile line at the top, then working your way down using the wood or a solid rail, by the time it is all said and done, the weight will be evenly distributed and no bottom tiles should be shouldering the weight of the tiles above and cracking. Consider shifting your pattern slightly if you need to trim any of the pieces to be smaller than 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide. However, some of the spacers are permanent and meant to be left on the wall and covered with grout. 5. Use tile backer boards to cover damaged and uneven walls. For large tiles, you may need to rent a tile-cutting saw, also called a wet saw, from a local home and garden store. If your tiles fit perfectly in the space and you don't need to cut any of them, you should still use this method to do the outer columns and the top and bottom rows. For cracks and holes larger than 4–5 inches (10–13 cm), you may need to. If your plumb or level is off by no more than a half-inch over the course of eight feet, it will show in your tile installation. You may need to move the trowel over the adhesive a few times to ensure that it's thin and level. After you finish the first section, wait for the second timer to go off so you can wipe the grout off of that section as well. Safety tip: Wear safety googles and gloves to avoid any injury from sharp pieces of flying tile and sharp tile edges, keep children and pets away from the work area as again there may be sharp pieces of tile on the floor. Tiling a wall is straightforward providing the wall has been prepared correctly. If you purchased a powder adhesive, mix it according to the directions until it's the consistency of peanut butter. This will indicate the size of the tiles you will need at each end. Installing wall tile is a four-stage process involving surface prep, layout, applying adhesive and tiles, and grouting the tiles. Mark where the tiles will go with a pencil, including spacers or grout. You may need to wipe off adhesive that oozes out from between the tiles with a damp cloth. Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years. Wall tile can have texture, patterns, or 3D design that adds interest to backsplashes, shower walls, or feature walls. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Then every subsequent "row" is … Installing tile on bathroom wall Your trowel size will depend on the size and type of tile you're using. ", This article has given me the confidence to try this for myself. The walls/floor on to which the tile is fixed is not affected by the dampness caused by the pipes chiseled inside the walls/floor. Step 4--Cutting the Tile. For instance, if the wall is 10 by 12 feet (3.0 by 3.7 m), it is 120 square feet (11 m. Since the grout doesn't take up much space between the tiles, and your tiles likely won't fit in the space perfectly, you don't need to account for it in your calculations. They may have settled or bowed over time, or the plaster may be rough and uneven. You should always seal grout, it prevents stains and can help prevent discoloration over the long term. 4. Account for your spacer and mark the tile with a pencil. Unfortunately, no wall is completely straight, so it will be necessary to cut the margin tiles. After all, it's nothing more than a vertical floor. Carry on the above steps until you’ve covered the whole area. So if, for example, 4” of a 12” tile piece are on one part of the wall running into a corner, then I’ll do a 8” piece starting the row on the next wall… Use a hacksaw to cut the tile trim to the length you need. Ensure you use a non-slump wall tile adhesive to allow you to tile from the top of the wall down. I have always been told to trowel in the opposite direction of the longest side of the tile. If you can still see a film of residue, apply a tile cleaning solution over the tile after letting it dry for an additional hour. Check the packaging of the adhesive to make sure you're using the right sized notches for the tiles to stick to the adhesive. Check the packaging for the tile to see if you can remove them. Last Updated: July 17, 2020 It's especially important to work in sections if you're grouting a larger wall. Motor ratios are appropriate, i.e 1:1:1 (cement, adhesive, soft lake sand if available). Press the tiles onto the adhesive and use a damp rag to wipe off any adhesive that oozes out from between them. Mark Your Tile Layout. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. "Great article. ". For ceramic, porcelain, and glass tile, there is no need to seal the tile, but grout always should be sealed. When you're purchasing the tile, buy an extra package of tiles in case some get damaged while you're hanging them. Apply about one metre squared at a time using a notched trowel (6 or 8mm) at a 45 degree angle to the wall. After all, the penalty for poorly installed wall tile is a lifetime of having to look at the stuff. If existing tile is beyond repair, remove the tile and install a piece of wallboard in its place. You will then need to make cuts on the tiles so that they will fit in place. This article was co-authored by Mitchell Newman. At this point, use a spirit level to draw a horizontal line. To set the tile, apply an even coat of mastic on only a small portion of the wall at a time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. To do so, make sure all of the tile is intact and secure. How to Tile a Shower Wall 1. Next, sketch your design on the wall and lay out the the tiles on a large table. This is especially important in areas that regularly get wet such as wet rooms and in bathrooms around the shower. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 195,194 times. To mark the piece for the opposite side of this row of tiles, simply do the reverse of the above. Measure your tile height, and mark a point on the bathroom wall that is 20mm below that height. The best way is to arrange your wall tile in a pyramid shape. Use measuring tape to take precise measurements of the area of wall you'll be tiling. You'll wipe away the grout from the surface of the tiles once it begins to dry. He has 20 years of experience in construction, interior design and real estate development. Adhesive dries and sets quickly compared to grout, so you may only need to wait about an hour, depending on the brand of adhesive you used. This is one of the easiest patterns to create, but it can look busy if the room is already full of designs and colors. Load a little adhesive on the trowel and use the straight edge to spread it on the wall. Watch this video tutorial to learn how to tile a wall. This article has been viewed 195,194 times. 1. You should start from the bottom and move upward. 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