DIY Network

Bathroom Tile: Removing the Old Surround and Fixtures and Laying Out the Tiles From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-110

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In this week's episode of Weekend Handyman, host Paul Ryan does a bathroom makeover that includes laying new tiles. This is the before shot ... and this is the after shot! Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E

Note: Click here for a materials list and complete instructions without images.

Time: 18 hours over two days.

Difficulty Rating: It's rated a 4 on a scale of 1 to 5.


Materials for Complete Project:

variety of tile cutters
variety of trowels
variety of floats
sponges
cotton toweling
spacers
scrapers and blades
plumbing tools (pipe cutter, torch solder)
tiles
tile adhesive
grout
silicone
epoxy acrylic

Before starting the project, you'll want to gather the tools and materials, and then prep the area:

• Remove the old fixtures: faucet handles, tub spout and showerhead.
  
• Cut the pipes, pull out the old valve body (figure A), put the new one in and solder the connections.

  Tip: When soldering pipes together, remember to heat the copper and not the solder. The hot copper is what melts the solder, not the flame.

• Remove the existing surround. (This part of the project can be dicey because you never know what's behind the surround.)
  
• Remove any rotten or moldy drywall or studs and replace them.
  
• Remove any loose paint or adhesive with a scraper.
  
• Measure the walls.
  
• Lay out the tiles to see where they fall on the joints (figure B).

Tiling

1. Center the tile either from the center of the tile or the joint: check to make sure your end of the piece is at least 1/2 the tile width.

2. Determine the vertical layout. See if the tub is level, and if it isn't get the height measurement from the low side of the tub.

3. Draw lines: the top line will be the glue line and the center line will be the plumb line. Then draw a grid.

4. Trowel the wall with adhesive (in small areas that can be covered right away).

   Tip: Because the adhesive you'll be using dries in approximately 30 minutes, it's best to lay the tile one grid at a time.

5. Begin in the center of the bottom of the grid and move out toward the sides.

6. Use spacers (figure C) to make sure the grid lines are straight.

7. Put in all the full tiles first.

8. Cut the tiles to fit along the edges and bottom of the tub.

9. Clean adhesive off the tile and take out the spacers.

10. Tape off any walls or wallpaper for grouting.

Cutting Tiles

• Making straight cuts — With a tile cutter, slide the tile in place, draw the wheel back along the tile to score it, press the handle down to break the tile (figure D). With a wet saw, put the masking tape on the tile, mark the cut line with a pencil and cut the tile.

• Making complicated cuts — For cutting around fixtures, mark the square on the back of the tile where you need an opening, hold the tile against the blade and cut each side of the square, one at a time from the back of the tile.

• Making cuts for small divots (figure E) — Make your mark and use the tile nippers.

• For thin tile strips — Score the tile on a cutting board and cut away the scored edge with nippers.

Next: Roughing In a New Shower and Tub

RESOURCES :

Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit (Rust-Oleum Corp.)
Model #: 7862
Available at local home centers, hardware and discount stores.
Product Information:

• Use wet sandpaper to sand the tub.
  
• Small bubbles will appear on the surface as you paint, but as it dries its self-leveling properties will eliminate the bubbles.
  
• Brush in one direction only and don't over brush.

Rust-Oleum Corp.
Website: www.rustoleum.com

Tile, Grout, Caulk and Trowels (The Tile Shop)
Tiles:

Model # 470725 (Tierrnia 6x6, Verde)
Model # 470726 (Tierrnia 6x6 BN, Verde)
Model # 470727 (Tierrnia Outcorner, Verde)
Model # 470568 (Listello, Blue / White)
Model # 470567 (Fish Deco 6x6 / 2 pieces)
Model # 470567 (Sun Deco / 2 pieces)

Supplies:

Model # 041223 (Tec Doubleduty 3.5 gallon)
Model # 052226 (Pro-Grout 2.5, Antique White)
Model # 220195 (Caulk)
Model # 223636 (Almond)
Model # 347953 (Float Grout)
Model # 348096 (1/4" x 1/4" Notched Trowel)
Model # 348095 (1/4" x 3/16" Notched Trowel)
Model # 347996 (Margin Trowel)
Model # 349014 (1/8" Spacers)

Grout Information:

• The thickness of your joint will determine if you can use sanded or unsanded grout. Less than 1/8" use unsanded. Wider than 1/8" inch use sanded.
  
• Always put water in your pail first, and then add the powder to prevent clumping.
  
• You want a toothpaste or mayonnaise consistency for grout.

Tub and Shower Set (American Standard)
Model # 7220.722.099 (Hampton 2-Handle Bath / Shower Faucet, Polished Brass)
Model # P87227PB (Moen Uni-Lift Waste & Overflow, Polished Brass)
Available at most plumbing stores and home centers.
Click here for more information on this product.

GUESTS :

Ben Scherer
536 Prairie Creek Dr.
Delano, MN 55328
Phone: 763-972-8137
Owner
Scherer Plumbing & Heating / AC

Steve Harrison
75 West Viking Dr.
Suite 102
St. Paul, MN 55117
Phone: 651-765-1388
Fax: 651-765-1389
Email: Steve@harrisontile.com
Website: www.harrisontile.com
Tile Contractor and VP
Harrison Tile Company

Janel Healy
11 Hawthorn Parkway
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Phone: 847-816-2307
Fax: 847-816-2300
Email: Jhealy@rustoleum.com
Website: www.rustoleum.com
Brand Manager
Rust-Oleum Corporation