How to Makeover a Bathtub Surround

A bathtub surround refers to the three walls around an inset tub. Tub walls need to be made of something water resistant, or they will become soft with moisture over time. You can cover tub surrounds in fiberglass, plastic and other materials, but tile remains the old favorite. If you have a surround that was previously fiberglass and you've removed it to reveal plaster or drywall, you can tile over it to make your new surround.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Level
• Pencil
• Tile mastic
• Notched tiling trowel
• Glazed ceramic wall tiles
• Tile spacers
• Tile saw
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Caulk

Instructions

1. Measure the first wall above the tub from end to end. Mark the middle. Use a level and pencil to mark a vertical line through the middle of the wall, from the tub rim to the top.

2. Use your tiling trowel to spread tile mortar on the bottom of the wall, from end to end, coming up from the rim by a foot or two.

3. Press a tile to one side of the vertical line, above the tub lip. Set spacers between the tile and the tub rim.

4. Press additional tiles off the first one, working your way out to the sides. Set spacers between the tiles as you hang them. Use a tile saw to cut the tiles for the two ends of the course.

5. Set the next higher row in place in the same manner. Repeat, starting each course at the middle and working to the sides. Add more mortar as needed. Use your tile saw to cut tiles around fixtures and obstructions. Tile the whole wall.

6. Repeat the process for each of the other walls. Let the mortar set for 12 hours.

7. Remove the spacers. Spread grout over the walls beginning at the top, pressing it into the spaces between the tiles using your grout float. Use a sponge to wipe up the excess grout.

8. Allow the grout to set for 24 hours. Press a caulk bead along the line between the bottom row of tiles and the tub lip.

References

• The Tile Doctor: Walls Interior