Retiling A Bathroom

Calculate Tile Needs

• Take measurements where you plan to retile the area. Measure all the rectangular areas slated for tile and add the dimensions together. If you determine it is a 6-by-8-foot area, that equates to 48 square feet, which is the amount of tile you will need. This means the floor requires 48 12-inch tiles or twice that amount if the tiles are 6-by-6-inch tiles. When you buy the tile, buy an extra box for breakage, errors and for use as replacement tiles, if necessary.

Prepare the Surface

• Remove the old tile using a chisel and hammer to remove the grout. After grout removal, lightly hammer a putty knife that has a wide blade underneath the old tile. Once in place, lightly twist the handle to pop the tile up. Repeat until the tile is gone. Next, remove the thinset mortar from the area using the putty knife and hammering the handle to force the putty knife under the old mortar. If the area has plywood backing, this is a good time to add cement board to aid in waterproofing the surface underneath the tile as well as provide a flat, clean surface for laying tile. If you plan to use the same surface, ensure it is completely level. A non-level surface shows its flaws when tile is laid.

Choose a Design

• Consider laying tile diagonally or adding a line of decorative tile in the field along a border to make the tile interesting. Keep in mind the size of the bathroom and don’t forget that darker colors make spaces appear smaller while lighter colors open up the area and give the illusion of more space. Diagonal tiles also give the tiled space more of an expansive feel because the tiles' grout lines cross the room in an imaginary line that disappears into the wall's edge. Keep in mind that you want full tiles in the visual areas around the tub and sink. Place cut tiles at the edges or against the walls to make them disappear

Lay Out a Grid Pattern

• If you choose to lay tile in a square setting, first find the center of the room. Use a tape measure to find the middle point on each wall. Make a mark at that point on the wall on all four sides of the room. Draw a line between these points by drawing a line between the two width points and two length points. The place in the middle where the two lines form an intersection is where you will begin laying tile. Apply thinset mortar or the appropriate mortar for the tile and start by laying a tile in each of the four corners where the lines cross in the center of the room. Use tile spacers between tiles to keep grout lines even. Repeat from that point out to finish the room, cutting the smaller pieces to fit against the walls.