How to Apply Peel and Stick Tiles on Bathroom Walls
- 1). Place two cups of white vinegar in a microwave for 30 seconds to warm it up slightly. Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the walls to remove all traces of soap scum. Allow 10 minutes for the vinegar to work, then rinse thoroughly with clean water and a sponge and allow the surface to dry out completely.
- 2). Start at the bottom left corner. Position the first tile against the wall with its lower edge resting on the floor. Place a spirit level on the top edge, center the bubble and mark the top edge on the wall with a pencil. If the floor is uneven, ignore minor gaps; they will be filled later with silicone caulk.
- 3). Trim the lower edge of the first tile with a heavy pair of scissors or a sharp utility knife if an undulating gap between the tile and the floor is glaringly visible and cannot be covered with a bead of silicone caulk. However, if this is necessary, you will have to trim the bottom edge of the rest of the tiles in the starter row so that the top edges line up and the bottom edges follow the floor line. Take your time with the first row; it's essential to lay the starter row with the top edge perfectly even and horizontal.
- 4). Scribe a horizontal line across the wall with the spirit level to mark the top edge of the starter row of tiles once you're satisfied with the fit.
- 5). Peel 2 inches of backing paper from the left edge of your first peel-and-stick tile. Place the tile flat against the wall, firmly abutted into the corner, and line the top edge up with the mark. Press down the left side to adhere it to the wall; reach under the tile and peel the rest of the backing off while smoothing the tile against the wall with the flat of your hand from left to right.
- 6). Go over the surface with a hard rubber roller; apply firm inward pressure to remove any trapped air bubbles while bedding in the adhesive. Note: you may have to trim the corner vertical edge of the first tile slightly to compensate for an uneven wall.
- 7). Complete the first row of tiles by repeating this process and trimming the bottom edges with a pair of heavy scissors or a utility knife if required. Ensure that all vertical and top edges line up with the side and top of the previously laid tile and that each tile abuts neatly against its neighbor. Trim the last tile in the row to take up any gap between the second last tile and the wall if necessary.
- 8). Cut the first left-hand tile on the second row in half to stagger the vertical joints across the wall. Carefully mark and trim tiles to fit around obstacles, such as soap dishes, towel rails and faucets, as you work. Continue laying tiles until the walls are covered to the required height.
- 9). Seal all exposed tile edges. Load a caulking gun and run a bead of silicone caulk along the joints between the tiles and the floor, inside corners on abutting walls, the top of the tub, and around the bathroom vanity. Wet the end of your finger and smooth the caulk down to a smooth concave finish before wiping off excess caulk with a damp rag.
