QA

Question: How To Install Tile Around A Tub

Do you tile over tub lip?

Tiling around a tub with a lip means that you need to place the cement board above it. You will install the tiles against the cement board, leaving the lip unexposed with a gap between it and the board. Secure the bottom row of tiles to the tub away from the lip with silicone caulk.

How far should edge of tub be from tile?

Plan to extend the tile 2 or 3 in. beyond the tub and to leave at least a half tile along the wall if possible. Don’t stop tile even with the end of the tub. This leaves the walls along the front of the tub vulnerable to water damage, and doesn’t look as finished as tile extending to the floor.

What do you put between tub and tile?

Grout fills the joints between tiles. The sole purpose of grout is to fill the spaces between tiles after the tiles have been glued in place on a floor or on a wall. Grout keeps the tiles from shifting, and also protects the edges of tile from chipping. There are two types of grout, sanded and unsanded.

Should you caulk between tub and tile?

Since you are joining two different materials together, you should use caulk in the space where the floor tile and tub meet. Grout is not flexible, so it’s not the best material for the job, while caulk allows for movement and also provides a better sealant. As a home settles, however, grout can crack.

Does backer board go over tub lip?

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in.

Do you tile shower floor or walls first?

Professional experts use a ledger or a space saver to leave a space for the floor tile to install after doing the wall. When you start to tile the floor, you first install the floor tile closest to the wall and then lay the other floor tiles.

Do I tile before fitting shower enclosure?

We always advise fitting the shower tray before tiling the walls or installing wall panels as this ensures a more watertight seal around the sides of the tray. Initially, it may be easier to get the tray level by adjusting the key corner legs first.

Where do you start when tiling a bathroom?

You typically want to start your bathroom tile installation in the back corner. But if you just start tiling from the back corner, your most visible areas will not line up as planned. Instead, carefully layout the floor tiles with the tile spacers in between them.

Does grout come in a caulking tube?

The most popular area to use caulking would be the shower/tub. Below is a picture to show you the main areas you will find caulking and grout. Caulking traditionally is available in a 10.3 ounce cylindrical tube that ia used in a caulking gun. Caulk, like grout, comes in sanded and unsanded.

Do you grout corners of shower?

In showers, the movement joints are all the corners, vertically and horizontally. Grout, which is a cement-based material, is great for filling the spaces between tiles. Nor is grout the right material for filling the corner joints on the walls. For these spaces, the right material is caulk.

Do I need drywall behind shower walls?

The short answer to the question is, “It’s not recommended.” However, this answer only really only suffices if you’re converting a room that was never a bathroom into a wet space. Drywall on its own is not suitable for use in bathrooms because it is prone to absorbing moisture and thus losing structural integrity.

How do you fill gap between tub and cement board?

Technically, after the tile is installed over the backer board that gap between it and the tub ledge should be filled with an ASTM C920 sealant (caulking e.g. silicone). Although some say you should have weep holes along this gap so any water behind can weep out into the tub.

Do you have to tape cement board before tiling?

If you are going to tile over the cement board, you should tape the seams. This should not be that difficult. Pack in thinset, lay on the tape, and flat-knife to get it set in. In the corners, use a corner knife.

How do you fill the gap between tub and surround tub?

If you have tile on the wall adjoining the tub, select a caulk that matches the color of the grout. If your gap is smaller than 1/8 inch in width, use regular caulk; fill gaps larger than 1/8 inch with a sanded caulk. Make sure the gap is clean and dry, then squeeze a thin, even bead of caulk into the space.

How difficult is it to tile a shower?

Tiling a shower by yourself can be especially hard. If you’re able to keep the shower pan in place, it will remain an overall straight-forward project for the most part. You can build up a shower pan by scratch using tile and mortar. Or, you could even use a ready-made fibreglass pan.

Can I use thinset for shower floor?

Thinset tile mortar provides a very strong bond and is resistant to moisture and mold growth. Because thinset is not affected by moisture, it is best for floor tile and any tile in wet areas, including shower floors, walls, and ceilings and tub surrounds.

Do tiles go behind shower tray?

While some guides may recommend tiling behind the shower walls, you should indeed tile on top of the tray. To save time, tiling and plastering can be carried out at once in the bathroom to get the shower area the way it needs to be.

What goes behind the tile in a shower?

Install cement board behind tub and shower enclosures. Install cement board or an equivalent moisture-resistant backing material on walls behind tub and shower enclosures composed of tile or panel assemblies with caulked joints.

Can you tile a bathroom yourself?

Tiling is a relatively safe task, but like any form of DIY it’s sensible to take precautions. If you’re going to be chipping away and removing old tiles or cutting new ones, then make sure you have appropriate eye protection.

Do you start tiling from the top or bottom?

Here’s how you do it: Install the first four tiles in a pyramid: three on the bottom and one on top. Every subsequent row is a process of draping over the pyramid, back and forth. Begin your first drape on either the right or left side, and bring it up, over, and down the other side.