Tiling a shower...anything special to know?

[UAV]

Hey All...

Tore out the shower and getting ready to re-tile with a subway tile that is a bit on the heavier side.

Cement board is in place and all is ready to go.

Any comments on anything special that should be done to assist with adhesion, etc would be great.

I know these rigs shake and vibrate a lot and I don't want tile popping off after it is installed!

Thanks.

[jacwjames]

One recommendation would be to make sure the cement board is fastened to the structure with additional screws. In a house there is no bouncing etc but in a motorhome that bounces I would add additional fasteners. I would have also used an adhesive when mounting the cement board but probably too late now.

I assume you used some sort of prefabricated shower pan, make sure it is fastened securely and won't move/slide. Normally the edge of the pan sticks up 2-3 inches and the cement board overlaps. Make sure to leave a little gap from the shower pan to the cement board, this will prevent wicking of the water.

I usually use the fiber mesh tape on all the seams and use the tile mastic just like joint compound. Fill the crack/corner joint with compound, apply the tape, then put a skim coat over the top and smooth it out good. Let it dry.

Make sure to lay a good bed of mastic, the tile you are installing are smaller so you should use the appropriate notched trowel based on the tile size. To make sure you get a good bond I would back butter the tile before you apply. You might consider laying one course at a time working your way all the way around and alternate the corner joints to overlap or weave, this may help prevent movement and leaks.

Take your time and make sure to clean up any mastic while it is still wet, once it dries it is harder to get off.

Let the tile set a day and then grout. After initial grouting let dry for a little while and then use clean water to sponge off. Change water often. Once you get the grout joints to where you like it let it haze over and then wipe with a dry towel making sure to get all the haze off. If you let the haze on overnight it is X10 time's harder to get off.

[PanJH]

Look at the Schluter system to use as underlayment over the cement board. That will give you a waterproof installation


Shower System | schluter.com

[skypilot_1]

Originally Posted by PanJH

Look at the Schluter system to use as underlayment over the cement board. That will give you a waterproof installation


Shower System | schluter.com

Highly recommend using the Schluter system as totally water proofing the shower walls. Grout alone is not water proof.

[foretexas]

I used this KBRS, Inc. in mine, used the coating over all of the cement board and seams. I really feel like it is completely waterproof. I also believe as mentioned before, Schluter is an excellent product.

[slowmachine]

I would be great of you had some photos to post along the way, or at least at the end of the project.



Mike
2000 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PBD
Freghtliner XC, CAT 3126B

[davdamon]

They have mastic with fiberglass shreds in it for that application

[UAV]

Hopefully you can see this...

New Countertops, too....among many other things.

[AZGypsie]

That's beautiful!

[NMRVer]

It looks great..

[Icrob]

Looks Amazing!

[big willie]

Wow!

[powerboatr]

well
its fantastic
amazing and WOW looks

[MO Fred]

Originally Posted by PanJH

Look at the Schluter system to use as underlayment over the cement board. That will give you a waterproof installation


Shower System | schluter.com

I used this in our home after the original tiled shower failed and caused water damage. The schluter system is easy to install and absolutely outstanding!