DIY Network

Master Bathroom Upgrade: Tile Installation From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-104

The Cantalamessa's spent a total of $239 to add much-needed ambiance to their master bathroom with improved lighting fixtures. Laura and Joel spend only $700 to replace the stark white bath and shower tiles with new, larger travertine tiles.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

Materials:

power drill
water resistant backer panels
60- 12"x12" travertine tiles
batten board
thinset
grooved trowel
plastic tile spacers
tile saw
modified grout mix
rubber grout float
bucket and tile sponge
bathroom caulk

Tile Selection Tips:

• Make sure to purchase enough tiles to finish the job, plus extras for any future repairs. The exact tiles may be impossible to find at a later date.

• For an easier installation, place whole tiles first, and then come back and place cut tiles.

• When focusing on boosting value, select larger tiles. This gives the illusion of a larger room and conveniently requires less grouting.

• Natural stone tile is less likely to go out of style.

Safety Alert: Always wear protective eyewear when using power tools.

Tile

• Having removed the old existing tile and drywall, host Adam Berlin helps Laura screw on new panels of water resistant backer board directly onto wall studs forming the surfaces of the bath and shower areas (figure A).

• After screwing on a straight board called a batten, which temporarily creates a level brace for the tiles, Laura loads a toothed trowel with thinset mortar and spreads it onto the backer board (figure B). Key to the process is keeping the trowel at slightly less than 45-degrees to achieve a uniform bed.

• With a small section of mortar applied, Laura places a few tiles onto the batten board as close to final position as possible and shimmies each into place to create a suction bond (figure C). As she sets each tile, she inserts plastic spacers for uniformity (figure D).

• Before moving on to the next row, she runs her fingers across the seams to ensure the surfaces of the tiles are flush.

• Once all the full-size tiles have been set, she uses a wet saw to cut any remaining tile to exact dimensions. Once positioned, the tiles are allowed 10 hours to set before applying grout.

• To prepare the grout, Joel hand-mixes it with water in a small bucket until achieving the consistency of toothpaste. Next, he loads a small amount of grout onto a rubber float and fills between the tiles using a wiping motion perpendicular to the seams (figure E). If any pinholes form, he immediately fills them using his finger.

• Once a small area is sufficiently grouted, Joel gently wipes across the tile surface with a damp sponge to pick up any excess residue (figure F). Approximately 12 hours later, he easily wipes clean any remaining grout film.

• To further protect against water seepage, Joel finishes the tile work by running a bead of bathroom caulk between the tub, shower basin and along the newly tiled corners.

Do It Yourself Bathroom Makeover For more information on major bathroom remodels, or simple cosmetic upgrades, visit DIY's Bathroom Makeover Center.

RESOURCES :

Maverick Home Remodeling, Inc.
Website: www.maverickhomeremodeling.com

Granite Marble Slab Warehouse
Website: www.granitemarbleslab.com