DIY Network

Bathroom: Preparation and Installing Backerboard From "Tiling Techniques" episode DTIL-101

	The homeowners of this basic off-white bathroom ...
	with its plain tile were thrilled to have DIY's Tiling Techniques ...
	workers convert the room with new sheet tile for the bathtub and ...

In this first segment of the "Bathroom" episode of DIY's Tiling Techniques, host Paul Wilson will prep the bathroom and install the backerboard.

Materials:

carpenter's pencils
razor blade
steel tape measure
grout float
notched and margin trowels
hydra sponges
two 5-gal. buckets
tile cutter
safety glasses and ear protection
dust mask
knee pads
spacers and wedges
1/2" drill motor
rod-type mixing paddle
rubber mallet and hammer
beating block
pry bar
level
speed square
caulk gun
backerboard cutter
tile nippers
silicone sealant

Specialty Materials (see Resources, below, for information):

Crossville Tile
custom grout
custom modified thin-set mortar
custom cement backerboard ("Wonderboard")

great looking tile around the mirror.

And the final touch was a set of decorative storage boxes that were tiled inside!

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Preparation

1. Tape a piece of plastic over the tub area, and for added protection put a piece of plywood over the tub (figure A). This will protect the tub surface.

2. Remove the tub handles, trim and spout.

3. Remove the existing tile using a hammer and pry bar (figure B).

   Safety Alert: Be sure to wear eye and hand protection when removing tile.

4. Measure the area where the cement backerboard will be placed.

5. Pencil and chalk the area to represent the cuts that need to be made.

6. Cut out the drywall using a razor knife and drywall saw, and remove the old drywall.

7. Once all the drywall has been removed (figure C), check the studs to make sure they are plumb and on plane.
   

   	Figure D
   	Figure E
   	Figure F

   Installing Backerboard

8. Before you install the backerboard, you need to create a vapor barrier that will help prevent moisture from going through the tile work, backerboard and into the wall space between the studs. You do this by using roofing felt. Simply cut the roofing felt into strips to fit into the cut areas:
   • There needs to be a 6" overlap on vertical joints.

   • There needs to be a 2" overlap on horizontal joints, and also allow the felt to overlap the tub (figure D).

9. Apply a silicone sealant between the felt and the tub lip to keep water from seeping through the joint.

10. Pre-cut the cement backerboard to fit the areas around the tub.

11. Adhere the backerboard, according to manufacturer's instructions, using backerboard screws (figure E).

12. Finish by taping the joints with an alkali-resistant tape and thin set mortar.

    Warning: Don't forget to let the alkali-resistant tape and mortar set for 24 hours before you begin setting the tile.

    Tip: When installing backerboard, always start and stop vertical joints on a stud.

13. Lay out the trim tiles on top of the plumbing wall and on top of the tub skirt to find the best trim layout. Measure the back wall, side walls, plumbing wall and tub skirt for their width and height.

14. Pencil in the level line in the area where the trim tile will meet the windowsill.

15. Lay out the field tiles and insert an accent tile on the floor (figure F) to check where the measurements would fall on the new tiles. The layout on the left and back wall of the tub for this particular project was easy. A bullnose tile was set on the left side of the top of the tub skirt to establish where the left-side wall tile would start. Then a level was used to make a mark where the trim tile would end and a line where the field tiles will start. The plumbing wall layout was established by the marks made earlier using the bullnose corner tile. It's this wall that dictated the layouts of the front of the plumbing wall and the tub skirt.

In the next segment, Wilson will apply the thin set and lay some new tile around the bathtub.

Next: Installing a Medicine Cabinet

RESOURCES :

Bathroom Tiling Products Information (Home Depot)

Crossville Tile
12" x 12" sheet
Model #: AV92.10303UTS
Color: Desert Stone

Crossville Tile
Model #: AV92/.1S4339S
Color: Desert Stone in a Bullnose

Accent Tile by US Ceramic
Romany Villa Antica Listello (3-3/4" x 8")
Model #: 333-833

Grout by Custom
Model #: 123-852
Color: Bone (Sanded)
25 lb. bag

Thin set by Custom
Modified thin-set mortar
Model #: 399-727

Backerboard
Used a cement backerboard type called "Wonderboard" by Custom
Model # for 1/4" thick: 648-282
Model # for 1/2" thick: 683-256

Where available: Home Depot

The Home Depot U.S.A. Inc.
Website: www.homedepot.com