How to Tile a Steam Shower
Tiling your own a steam shower will save you money on hiring a contractor. Using ceramic tiles in a steam shower helps protect against humidity or moisture damage. Since ceramic tiles are so durable, a well-done tile project should last for the life of your home. Furthermore, a steam bath is an addition that will add value and beauty to your home, making it more desirable on the home resale market. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Chalk line
- T square
- Level
- Thin-set mortar
- Notched trowel
- Tiles
- Plastic pile spacers
- Safety goggles
- Safety gloves
- Wet tile saw
- Tile scribe
- Tile nippers
- Grout
- Rubber trowel
- Caulk
Instructions
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1
Measure each wall, the ceiling and the floor. Multiply the length of each surface by the width of the surface to get the area. Add the areas of all the surfaces and you'll have the total amount of area you need to tile.
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Purchase as many tiles as you will need, plus 10 percent more, in case there is any damage to the tiles during shipping, installation or cutting.
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Ensure the steam shower has been properly installed. There should be a continuous waterproof membrane and cement backing boards already installed before you start tiling.
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Start on one wall, working your way around and leaving the floor as the last surface you tile. Snap a chalk line on one wall, making sure it is plumb and perpendicular to the wall with the T square and level. Snap another line that intersects the first chalk line and is perpendicular to it. These marks will serve as your guide. Do this on all the walls, the ceiling and the floor.
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Mix the thin-set mortar according to the instructions on the package. Mix only as much as you can spread in a half-hour. Use the flat side of the notched trowel to spread a thin layer of mortar. Go over the mortar with the notched side to make grooves that will help the tiles adhere using suction.
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Using the intersecting chalk lines as a guide, lay the first tile on the thin-set mortar. Press the tile firmly into place with even pressure, using both hands. When you tile the ceiling and walls, it helps to press into the tile with a slight wiggle, as this will push the air bubbles out of the grooves in the mortar.
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Place plastic tile spacers on all sides of the tile. Continue laying tiles row by row until you have covered as much as you can without having to make cuts into the tiles.
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When you reach the end of each row, you may find you need to cut the tiles to fit. To make straight cuts, use a straight edge and permanent marker to mark the tile and use the wet tile saw to cut the piece.
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As you will be tiling a steam shower, it will be necessary to make curved cuts in the tiles to fit around fixtures, faucets and drains. To do this, mark the curve and etch the tile along that line with the tile scribe. Then, use the tile nippers to break tiny pieces off the tile to make the curve. Do not try to nip too much of the tile at a time, as this process often leads to broken tiles.
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Fit all the cut tiles into place. Allow the mortar to dry according to the instructions on the package.
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Remove plastic spacers from between the tiles.
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Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Use a rubber trowel to spread the grout into the spaces between the tiles. Wipe away excess grout with a damp cloth.
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Allow the grout to dry according to the instructions on the package.
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Apply waterproof caulking in a thick line to every joint in the walls, ceiling and floor, as well as around any fixtures or drains. This will help keep the steam shower from growing mold under the tiles.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid using your steam shower for at least a week after installation to ensure the mortar and grout are properly dried and cured.
Always wear safety goggles and gloves when cutting tiles.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit shower image by Dragan Trifunovic from Fotolia.com
