Marble Tile Wall Installation

Prepare the wall for the tile. Measure the dimensions. Transfer these dimensions to the waterproof backer board and make the necessary cuts. Most of the time marble is placed in an area with moisture and this protects the investment.

Screw the waterproof backer board onto the wall. Make sure the screws are going into the studs. To do this make sure you mark the studs while using the stud finder.

Determine where you are going to start with your tiles. You want to have as many complete tiles as possible and have the flow out from a central point. Measure if you have to to determine the center point of the wall or walls. Use full tiles first. Scoop some of the mortar out of the container and spread it about 1/4-inch thick with the smooth edge of the trowel. Make sure that you have an area that can cover at least four tiles. Drag the ridged part of the trowel over the mortared area.

Push the first few tiles into the mortar. You will have to hold each tile for a few seconds to get a good adhesion. make sure the first four tiles are set perfectly straight. This is your guide for the rest of the project. Put them as close together as possible. Continue this process of mortar, troweling and placing tile until you have all of the whole tiles placed.

Measure all the areas that you will have to cut tiles. Measure and mark all of the tiles you are going to cut. Cut the tiles with the wet saw. This tool can be rented at any rental store or home store. It has a spinning blade that is pushed through the tile creating a clean cut. It is a messy job and should be done outside.

Butter the backs of the tiles you have cut with the trowel and then drag the grooved portion over the mortar. By applying the mortar to the back you avoid drips and other problems applying the mortar directly to the wall. Push the tiles in place and make sure the tiles fit snugly to the tiles next to them.

Allow the entire project to dry for at least 24 hours. Mix the grout in the 5-gallon bucket. You want it to have the consistency of toothpaste. Scoop some out on the grout float and push it into the joints where the tiles meet. The groat float is a trowel with a piece of foam instead of a metal blade. Remove the excess grout with the float. Allow to dry.

Dip the sponge into a bucket of water and wring it out thoroughly. Wipe all of the tiles to remove the haze of the grout. You may have to do this several times.