DIY Network

Bathroom: Cutting Tiles, Applying Thin set and Laying Tiles 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 ...
	great looking tile around the mirror.
	And the final touch was a set of decorative storage boxes that were tiled inside!

In this segment, host Paul Wilson will cut the tiles, apply the thin set and start laying the tiles around the bathtub.

Materials:

Carpenter's pencils
Razor blade
Steel tape measure
Grout float
Notched trowel
Margin trowel
Hydra sponges
Two 5-gal. buckets
Tile cutter
Safety glasses
Ear protection
Dust mask
Knee pads
Spacers
Wedges
1/2" drill motor
Rod-type mixing paddle
Rubber mallet
Beating block
Hammer
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")

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Cutting the Tiles

1. Now that you've measured for the tiles, it's time to cut them. The sheet tile used for this particular project has rubber dots on the back (figure A). They hold the place of the tiles in the sheet. The tiles cut away from the sheet easily with a razor knife.

2. Straight tile cuts for the walls and 90-degree angles are done by placing the tile on the cutting table, sliding the table forward, placing the steel tape measure lightly against the blade (figure B), line it up with the tile so you know you have the exact cut you want and if you're doing a bunch of tiles at once what you'll need to use is a rip-fence (figure C). Place it against the tiles, tighten it down, put on your safety glasses, turn on the saw and cut.

   Tip: With porcelain tile, you'll want to go slow when cutting because they can easily break and chip. And to get perfect diagonal cuts, be sure to use a speed square and go even go slower than before because of the sharp edges that can be brittle.

   Figure A

   Figure B

   Figure C

   
   

   Figure D

   Applying the Thin Set

3. Before you begin the thin-set process, be sure to cut the felt from the top of the tub with a razor knife.

4. Clean the backerboard with a damp sponge.

5. Mix the thin set according to manufacturer's specifications with the 1/2" drill motor and the rod-type mixer paddle at less than 600 rpm.

6. Apply the thin set with the flat end of the trowel (figure D) to key in the mortar on the backerboard, and then use the notched side to create a uniform thickness.

   Tip: Only lay as much thin set as you can tile in 15 minutes. If the thin set skims over, the tile won't stick to it. Use your finger as the judge. If the thin set sticks to your finger, it will stick to the tile.
   

   	Figure E
   	Figure F
   	Figure G
   	Figure H

   Laying the Tub Sheet Tile

7. Start with the lower courses along the edge of the tub. Lay the tile on the thin set following the pencil lines. Make sure there's no excess lippage on the laid tiles. Tap the beating block that covers the tiles lightly with a rubber mallet (figure E) to ensure a good bond to the thin set.

   Warning: Be careful not to put too much pressure on your mallet or you could crack the tile.

8. To keep the sheets of tile straight, be sure to use a level and 1/8" spacers along the way.

   Note: The numbers on the tile represent the color shading difference of the tiles. You can simply wipe the numbers off later when the job is completed.

9. After the wall area is finished, decide where you want the insert tile to go, cut out the necessary tiles and install the insert tile (figure F) and surrounding tile pieces by backbuttering them and setting them into place.

10. To make tile fit around the tub faucet hole, you'll need to cut the tile sheet to go around the hole. Simply cut the tile tabs with a razor knife, then for a closer fit, cut slits in the tile (figure G) with the wet saw and trim the edges off with tile nippers. And then place around the faucet hole.

11. For the corners, be sure to use bullnose tile, which has rounded corners for an attractive line and finished look.

12. To bring the access panel on the side of the tub up to code, simply frame the panel with backerboard, tape the joints with alkali-resistant tape thin set the joint.

13. Screw in the access panel and snap shut (figure H).

14. Tile the backerboard on the side of the tub.

In the next segment, Wilson will frame the bathroom mirror and grout the tile.

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