How to Tile A Bath Surround

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By Chrisparker
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Parker Job

Beautifully tile around your existing bath and give it a brand new remodeled look...

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Tile saw or scribe
1/2" concrete backerboard
30lb roofing felt
2" roofing tacks
Measuring square
Mastic
Grooved towel 1/8"
Gum rubber grout float
Sponge and two buckets
3' level or straight edge
Chalk line for long scribes
Measuring tape
Pencil or wax marker
If you can a Roto-zip tool with masonary blade
Tile nippers
Your tile of course(preferably ceramic mats for a backsplash)
Spacers for a large grout joint(not reccomended)

Step 1

First we must measure the square footage of wallspace, then buy your materials. You will want to measure the entire length around your tub and then from the top lip of the tub up as far as you tile(normally about 56-60"). Now lets multiply those two measurements and that will give you your square footage. Pick out your tile and grout(preferably 4x4 ceramic with non-sanded grout) at your local flooring or home store and give them measurements, they will help you with amount of material needed. Tell them it is for a tub surround and be sure you get mastic for your base.
Step 2

Now with your straight edge mark lines for your tile boundaries and with roto-zip cut sheetrock out 2" inside of you scribed lines in a counter-clockwise motion all the way around ensuring your cut is in the middle of a stud or beside one if you have studs to add and nail to( no worries, there should be plenty of framing here). If you are going to change plumbing fixtures(recommended) then now is the time. Now tack felt paper to studs and then install your 1/2" durock or backer board with 2" roofing tacks.
Step 3

Scribe a straight line 1/16 inch above your tub(if you make a larger grout joint which I do not recommend that is where you want to make starting line). Measure wall space in that run and see how many tile you will need. If you have to cut be sure and figure your cuts to equal out on both sides. DO NOT FORGET TO ADD YOUR GROUT JOINTS WHILE FIGURING TILES!!! Use your grooved trowel to spread mastic in approximately 1'x1' increments, definitely enough to spread underneath whole tile or mat. Lay tile, it is very important to start square, hence the lines you popped or scribed before you started. Mark and cut around faucet, handles, and shower spout. If you are going to add a mosaic mat be sure and mark it out while performing layout. Once you have got your tile on the walls let mastic cure for at least 18 hours or whatever is recommended on packaging.
Step 4

Now if you have a soap dish or any other accessory to hang in your new tub surround. Do not set it until all other tile is close to set. Tile around it using item itself to mark lines to tile around. When tile is close to set mastic holes left for accessory and set it in place, then with masking tape simply tape it in place from top to bottom.
Step 5

Next day, when tile is set, clean well with soap and water. You may have to scrape mastic off if you were messy like me and got it on top of tile. When you are done with this step mix your grout(preferably non-sanded unless you have 1/8" or larger grout joint) to a paste and not a soup. Take your gum rubber grout float and mash grout fully into joints. With a wet sponge lightly clean grout off top of tile about every 5' or whenever you feel comfortable doing so to keep from working yourself to death when finished. When you are done let grout dry for at least a few hours and you will notice a haze on your tile. They sell cleaners for this but a clean sponge with clean water works very well with a little elbow grease. Voila, you have got a new bath and you did not pay a grand or more to get it...WOW!!!