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Installing
Concrete Backer Board for Ceramic Tile |
Before buying and installing ceramic
backer board, see our article on sub floor criteria for
ceramic tile.
Tools & Materials: Backer board, thinset adhesive, notched
trowel, alkali resistant mesh tape, measuring tape, drywall
saw or circular saw with a cement cutting blade, 2 ½
galvanized screws, drill with screw head attachment, putty
knife for smoothing out thinset
1. Remove all floor molding. If you are installing tile in a
bathroom, the toilet must be removed. ( Remember when you
are shopping to get a new wax ring and a toilet extension
ring to reinstall your toilet. See our article about
installing toilets for additional help.)
2. Remove your toilet. Close off the water supply to the
toilet. Flush the toilet and remove standing water with a
rag or a sponge. Stuff a rag in the hole and place a plastic
bag over the rag to block out sewer gas. Simply unscrew the
two bolts on the flange on the base of the toilet and pull
the toilet off the studs.
3. You can choose to leave your vanity in place, or remove
it if you think you may be replacing your vanity.
4. If you have vinyl flooring, scrub it with a vinyl floor
stripper and scouring pad. This will help the adhesive to
bond with the floor. Remove any loose pieces of vinyl and
make sure the floor is level and secured to the floor
joists.
5. Find your floor joists and mark where they are on the
wall, as you will want to screw the backer board to the
joists. Wrap any copper pipes with tape to avoid corrosion
from the adhesive.
6. Backer board is laid with thin set adhesive and screwed
into the floor. Measure, cut, and lay all your pieces of
backer board before you mix your thinset. This will assure
you have avoided any mistakes before you glue the backer
board down. The backer board can be laid in any direction as
long as you stagger your joints so four corners never meet
at one point. Leave 1/8 space between the sheets. You will
be taping and filling the joints with thinset. It is helpful
to leave a ½ space along the walls to make it easier to lay
down the sheets. Leave 1/8 space along the vanity. Remove
all pieces of backer board and label each one.
7. Remove all dust and loose particles from the floor.
8. Mix thinset according to package directions. You dont
want it too thick or too thin. Spread the thinset with a Ό
notched trowel over an area big enough to cover one piece,
starting at the furthermost corner of the room. Hold your
trowel at a 45 degree angle when spreading the thinset. Drop
the backer board onto the thinset and screw down every 6
inches along the perimeter and every 8 across the panel. Be
sure to drive the screw into the backer board deep enough to
make an impression.
9. Using a putty knife and thinset, cover your screw holes
level with the backer board. Lay adhesive backed mesh tape
over the seams, and skim over with a flat trowel and a thin
layer of thinset. This does not have to be perfect, but
avoid any bumps or ridges. The thinset should be 2 to 3
wide on each side of the joint. Fill the ½ spaces along the
wall with thinset. Allow to dry overnight. You are now ready
to tile. |
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