How to Replace Ceramic Tile on a Shower Surround
- 1). Mark the level line. The level line will be the height of the tile plus 1/4-inch. Measure this from the base of the wall, and mark the height. Draw a line horizontally to indicate where the tile will sit.
- 2). Mark the center of the wall. Measure the width of the wall and divide the total width by 2 to find the center location. Draw a vertical line from the top to the bottom of the wall to establish the direct center.
- 3). Install bottom layer of tiles. Apply thin set mortar to the bottom layer of the wall, and install tiles beginning at the center line and work your way out toward both ends. Place spacer between each tile to leave adequate space for grout.
- 4). Continue this process layer by layer to complete the wall. Check the tiles to make sure they are level before starting the next layer up. Be sure to place spacers between every tile and each layer.
- 5). Cut end tiles. If the tiles do not complete each row, you may need to cut tiles to size. Measure the space remaining at each end and remove 1/8-inch for spacing. An example is if you have 4 inches remaining cut the tile to 3 7/8 inches. After tiles are cut, set them in place.
- 6). Dry the thin set mortar. Allow the mortar to dry naturally for 24 hours before applying grout.
- 7). Apply grout. Remove all spacers and apply grout to every space between the tiles using the grout float. Use a wet sponge to remove any excess grout from the tile surfaces. Allow grout to dry for 24 hours.
- 8). Apply grout sealer. Use a paintbrush to apply grout sealer to all of the grout surfaces, allowing the sealer to completely penetrate the grout.
- 9). Seal the wall. Apply silicone caulking along corner edges of the wall on the top, bottom and both sides. Apply silicone caulking around water spouts and handles as well. Allow the silicone and grout sealer to dry 48 to 72 hours before using.
