how to support first course of tile around tub

When you tile around a tub with a lip, leave a ¼” gap between it and the cement board. Use a thick layer of silicone caulk to secure the tub to the bottom row of tiles. When you go over the tiling with grout

at the very end, apply one more layer of silicone caulk at the bottom of the tiles.

Full Answer

How to tile around a tub or shower?

Understand how your bathtub is setup. 1. Mark the Layout Lines To tile around a tub or shower, start by measuring the height of the back wall from the lip of the tub to the top of the area to be tiled. Divide the dimension in half and make a mark there. Check if you need to adjust this mark to avoid laying slivers of tile at the top and bottom.

How do you protect a bathtub from falling tiles?

Falling tiles can scuff and chip your bathtub finish, so you’ll need to cover it. Here’s what you can use: Use your ingenuity on this one, but one option is to cover your tub with towels. Secure the towels to the tub itself with strong tape. Try to cover as much of the bathtub as possible.

How do you fill the space between tile and bathtub?

Lastly, fill the space between the bathtub and the first grade of tile with siliconized acrylic caulking that complements your grout color. After 24 hours, use white vinegar to clean the area where the tile and tub meet, then apply tape to the tub’s edge and the tile’s face.

Should I replace the tile around my bathtub?

While you replace the tile around your bathtub, make sure you protect your respiratory system from the vast quantities of dust. If you get frustrated with wearing the mask or respirator, take a complete break, removing it only once you’re away from all the floating dust.

How do you support the first row of tile?

3:399:27How to Lay Tile Starting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMake a new mark on the wall. Level with the foot of the rod. This will be the starting point for theMoreMake a new mark on the wall. Level with the foot of the rod. This will be the starting point for the first row of hole tiles.

How do you start tile around a bathtub?

4:4012:45How to Set Tile Around a Tub - Bathroom Remodel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo start by finding the lowest point where the tile will be installed. Against the tub. And you canMoreSo start by finding the lowest point where the tile will be installed. Against the tub. And you can do that with a level. At that spot take a full piece of tile and place it against the wall.

How do you install first row of shower tile?

0:442:27How to Tile a Bathroom 34: Tiling the First Row - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou would just find your line and marking on the side here. And mark it on the side here and thatMoreYou would just find your line and marking on the side here. And mark it on the side here and that would be your cut. So then when you have it all set and done you take that cut piece you test it out.

How do you tile around the top of a bathtub?

0:4810:02How to Install Tile Around a Bathtub - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMark along the top of the tile then use your level to get a straight line I'll hold the levelMoreMark along the top of the tile then use your level to get a straight line I'll hold the level slightly above the mark to get the spacing that I need between the tub.

How do you fill gap between tub and tile?

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 do you tile around a bathtub 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. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. 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.

Taking Care of Gaps

In larger rooms, there will likely be enough space at the end of the wall for a panel to be installed; but, in smaller bathrooms, the bath will either be wall to wall or have a narrow gap of less than 300mm. This space might be filled in to give the impression that the bath is resting on a tiled lip.

Preparing the Wall

You must verify that the walls are clean, stable, and free of loose plaster. If you plan to put a shower over the bathtub, you may need to build a protective, waterproof backer board or coat the tiled surface with a suitable sealant to keep it water-impervious for many years.

Planning the Layout

The tiling side of bathtub will determine where to begin tiling and how to layout the wall for tiles. Begin by measuring the distance between the bath’s lip and the top of the ceramic area. If possible, you might want to change this height to avoid having to cut tiles. At this height, draw a straight line across your bath.

Tile Should be Cut to Fit

Complete a current tile in place and indicate where it overflows the previous full tile still on the wall in which the tiles also have to be cut to fit against a corner or top.

Drilling a Supply Pipe for a Tub or Shower

Finish laying the tiles in the back structure’s other segments. Extend the lateral layout line to the wall surfaces, draw the plumb lines, and installing tile around bathtub for these walls in the same manner as the other walls.

Tiles Nipping To Fit Around Fixtures

Lay the tile over the pipe (or next to the exposed piping) and press it into the adhesive once the hole has been cut out.

How to Put Tub Surround Tile in Place

According to Ferrante, the first and most critical stage in tiling bathroom walls is to start with a clean, sturdy substrate. He next uses thin-set mortar to cover the backer board seams and embeds stainless steel joint tape in the mortar.

What is the gap between a tub and tile?

Bathtubs, believe it or not, will expand when filled with water. Leaving a 1/16″ gap between the tub and tile will prevent the tile from cracking when the tub expands. Plus, a 1/16″ gap allows the caulk to properly fill the space and waterproof the transition between the tile and tub or shower.

How to backbutter tile?

Backbuttering tiles ensures a good bond with the wall thin-set. Embed tile into the thin-set on wall. Clean the thin-set off the tile surface with a sponge and water. It’s a good idea to do this cleaning process as you tile the wall. Double check your tile measurements before cutting the next tile.

What is the best thin set for vertical tile?

There are two types of thin-set we like: Ardex X 77 and Mapei’s Kerabond. Ardex’s X 77 is considered one of the best thin-sets for vertical tile because of it’s bond strength. We use it exclusively for large format tiles on the wall because the tiles stay put.

How long does it take to replace a bathtub tile?

Then you’ve got no choice but to replace the tile around your bathtub. Sure, you can call a professional to get the job done. Or, in about 10-15 hours divided over a few days, you can DIY it. If you choose the latter, follow these 12 steps: Gather PPE. Prepare to contain the dust.

What to do when re-tiling a tile?

The first thing to do when you are re-tiling is to make sure that the project is done as safely as possible. You don’t want to step on a shard of tile or inhale the dust. So here are the materials you’ll need to keep yourself safe:

Why do you wear earplugs when you re-tile?

Wearing earplugs during the demolition part of your re-tiling project will prevent you from finding grout and dust in your ears for the next week. Also, it protects your ears from the noise of chiseling tiles, tiles falling and breaking, and the sound of the tile cutting machine.

Can you replace bathroom tiles in one day?

At the end of the day, you should remove your dusty clothing just inside or outside of the bathroom to prevent traipsing it through the house . You should also keep the bathroom door closed.

Can you refinish a bathtub after chipping tiles?

Before you start chipping off the tiles around the bathtub, you need to make sure that you will not have to refinish your bathtub at the end of it. Falling tiles can scuff and chip your bathtub finish, so you’ll need to cover it. Here’s what you can use:

Can you replace backer board on shower?

For this step, you can’t really predict what you will need. You may need to replace the backer board, especially if you’re in an older home and find drywall below the height of the showerhead. Instead, you’ll need to replace that with a cement backer board.

Do new bathroom tiles make a difference?

If your bathroom is looking a little old or outdated, then new tiles will make a world of difference. You’re probably already dancing a happy dance just thinking about how much better your bathroom tile will look. Or, maybe your tile isn’t all that old, but like me, you had a bathtub leak, and the plumber ripped out the shower tile to get into ...

How to tile a very unlevel tub?

Re: How to tile surround with very unlevel tub#N#Do yourself a favor. Change the tub to one with a tile lip and install it level.# N#You're rationalizing that some way, some how, you can take a bad situation and make it work to the customer's satisfaction.#N#I can tell you from hard-learned experience that despite your good intentions and best work, innovative "repairs" that cover up the real problem rarely work out favorably.#N#Over the long term, the customer and future homeowners will blame you for not fixing it right.

What is the high side of a tub?

High side of the tub is about 1 1/4 higher than low side. It's a three side standard tub surround job with a shampoo nook. Tile is 3" x 6" subway tile. Originally she wanted the grout lines staggered every 3". There is a band of bordered hex tile one run from the top.

Can you fix a tub that is out of level?

And wedgies. Get some square tile that will allow you to cut the first row to widths greater than the subway tile. Yes, the tub will look skewed a little.