How To Tile A Bathtub - Home Bathtub

How to Tile a Bathtub: A Comprehensive Guide

Tiling a bathtub is a great way to update your bathroom and give it a fresh, new look. It's also a relatively easy project that you can do yourself with the right tools and materials. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to tile a bathtub: ### 1. Gather Your Tools and Materials Before you start, gather all of the tools and materials you'll need. This includes: - Ceramic or porcelain tiles - Mortar - Tile adhesive - Grout - Grout sealer - Trowel - Sponge - Utility knife - Bucket - Measuring tape - Level - Safety glasses - Gloves - Dust mask ### 2. Prepare the Bathtub Surface 1. Clean the bathtub surface thoroughly with a TSP cleaner and a scrub brush. Be sure to remove all dirt, soap scum, and mildew. 2. Rinse the bathtub surface with clean water and let it dry completely. 3. If the bathtub surface is uneven or has any cracks or holes, you'll need to repair them before you can tile it. 4. Use a level to make sure that the bathtub surface is level. If it's not, you'll need to shim the areas that are too low. ### 3. Apply the Mortar 1. Mix the mortar according to the manufacturer's instructions. 2. Apply a thin layer of mortar to the back of each tile using a trowel. 3. Press each tile firmly onto the bathtub surface, starting from the bottom row. 4. Use a level to make sure that each tile is level. 5. Continue tiling the bathtub surface, working your way up from the bottom row. ### 4. Install the Tile Adhesive 1. Once all of the tiles are in place, let the mortar dry completely. 2. Apply a thin layer of tile adhesive to the back of each tile using a trowel. 3. Press each tile firmly onto the bathtub surface, starting from the bottom row. 4. Use a level to make sure that each tile is level. 5. Continue tiling the bathtub surface, working your way up from the bottom row. ### 5. Grout the Tiles 1. Once all of the tiles are in place, let the tile adhesive dry completely. 2. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. 3. Use a grout float to apply the grout to the joints between the tiles. 4. Work the grout into the joints until they are completely filled. 5. Wipe away any excess grout with a damp sponge. ### 6. Seal the Grout 1. Once the grout has dried completely, apply a grout sealer to the joints between the tiles. 2. Use a paintbrush to apply the grout sealer. 3. Let the grout sealer dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. ### 7. Clean Up 1. Once the grout sealer has dried completely, clean up any mess that you made during the tiling process. 2. Enjoy your newly tiled bathtub! ### Tips for Tiling a Bathtub - Use a laser level to ensure that the tiles are perfectly level. - Use a grout saw to cut the tiles to fit around the bathtub fixtures. - Use a caulk gun to apply caulk around the bathtub fixtures and along the edges of the bathtub. - If you're not sure how to tile a bathtub, you can always hire a professional to do it for you.