How to Install Ceramic Wall Tile
The first thing that needs to be done when you begin to install your ceramic wall tile is to put up cement wallboard. Cement is important for this task because it will not crumble in areas with high moisture content. Bathrooms and kitchens are both exposed to a great deal of moisture, and sheetrock will crumble, leaving you will a wall that falls apart. Use galvanized screws six inches apart to properly support the wallboard. Your board should be at least a half-inch thick in order to support the weight of your tiles.
After your wallboard is in place, you should tape the seams. Fiberglass tape is an excellent choice. You can also check with the manufacturer of your wall tiles for suggestions on the best tape to use. It is possible to use mastic cement as an adhesive for the wallboard seams, but you should use a thin adhesive to fill in the joints to reduce the chance of water damage.
Draw reference lines for the placement of your ceramic wall tile. A three-foot by three-foot square area should serve as a guide. A level and a tape measure are also helpful. Draw your references in each 3×3 square area and then move on to the next area. When you are finished, you should be looking at a grid that covers the area to be tiled.
The next thing to do is to put your tile adhesive on the wall. This will keep your ceramic wall tile in place. Only do one area at a time (remember your 3×3 areas from the above step?), applying the adhesive and then putting the tiles for that area in place. Do you best to keep from covering the guidelines you drew before. A notched trowel is the tool for this job: apply with the flat side and then go over the adhesive with the notched side to create ridges.
Now it is time to put the ceramic wall tile in place. You should use spacers to keep the grout gaps as even as possible. Follow your guides and check frequently to ensure that your application line is straight. Each area should be done individually. While you are putting up the tile, remember that there should be some areas that do not have tile. These spaces are for fixtures like soap dishes. You will also have to fit some tiles around pipes. Nippers and cutters are made especially for these purposes. Make sure to draw a pattern so your cuts are more accurate.
When an area is tiled, use a rubber-bottom float or sponge to put grout on over the top of the ceramic wall tile. The grout goes onto the float and then is wiped diagonally across the tile. The float is then used again to sweep across the tiles to remove the excess grout. In bathrooms, you need to choose a grout with a waterproofing agent.
The last step is to fill in the spaces between the tiles (the joints). Use a caulk made from silicone chalk or Latex. You can put a bit of soap on your finger to keep the caulk from sticking to your skin. This is important, as you will use your finger to smooth the caulk as you put it in the joints. After the caulk finishes drying, you can use a utility knife to trim any overflow caulk.
