Order
1.Record homeowners choice of tile and edging.
2.Build a sample corner out of scrap plywood and lay a sample corner using the tile and corner bead chosen for this project.
3.Measure tile and thinset thickness. 1/2″ backerboard matches surrounding drywall, 1/8 thinset(1/4 x 1/4 S)or 1/16(1/8 V), tile is typically 1/8 to 3/8 so wall surface will be 3/4 to 1″ from framing, and basically the tile and thinset thickness out from the surrounding drywall surface.
4.Set up your 3 axis laser level at the outer right hand corner of the shower area.
5.Confirm that the shower area is square, plumb, level, and has 90* corners.
6.If it doesn’t, turn a drywall screw into the ceiling and hang a plumb bob at the outer corner to form a reference point from which to measure. Find out what wall angles you will have to deal with, and plan to eliminate or hide them in the back inside corner as much as possible.
7.Draw a full size scale drawing of project on contractor tracing paper, confirming tile choice, orientation, and joint placement.
8. Subtract tile and mortar thickness to get precise dimensions of the cement backer board. Subtract the thickness of the cement board to get the dimensions of the underlying framing members.
Prep Work
9.Lay down drop cloths, tape off closets.
10.Remove existing shower.
11.Install drain plumbing
12.Install supply plumbing
13.Paint adjoining ceiling and walls.
14.Frame shower head walls, divider walls and triple stack curb as needed. Also install blocking for vertical transition grab bars and shower glass enclosure.
15.Install 2×6 blocking at 34″ center from floor, and around paremeter of shower base. Keep it recessed 1/4″ at corners to accomodate hospital folds of pan liner.
16.Install drain base fitting.
17.Pour preslope using Rapidset morter. Maintain a 1/4″ x 12″ slope towards the drain.
18.Install Oatey pan liner, silicone sealer, and upper half of drain base, Make sure weep holes are open and functional.
19.Install niche flashing, leaving lower flange available to fasten over lower backer board. Use Rapidset adhesive to adhere bottom of flashing to sill framing.
20.Install backer board to shower walls and niche surfaces. Make sure it is perfectly flat, straight, and parallel so that you can precut your tile for efficiency. If the backer board needs to follow the angle of your walls, plan your cuts for efficiency and best appearance.
21.Pour the shower base morter bed. Maintain a 1/4″ x 12″ slope towards the drain.
22.Waterproof with 2 coats of Mapei Aquaseal.
23.Set the KBRS hard core seat using thinset mortar.
Tile
24.Cut several pieces of lumber to the same thickness as your tile and attach them to the corner of angled intersections using sticky tack to give yourself a reliable reference point to measure from.
25.Draw tile placement on the wall using ink pen and 2′ level.
26.Seal natural stone tiles like marble with sealer.
27.Lay out tile on plastic tables, match patterns if using natural stone, and cut all of the pieces for the back wall surface.
28.Mix thinset properly.
29.Start laying tile on bottom spacers and continue up back wall, supported by shims. Install the corner trim flange on main wall surface.
30.Measure, cut, and lay tile in niche area. Slope the niche shelf 2 degrees to shed water.
31.Measure, cut and lay front wall and curb next, making sure it is square.
32.Measure, cut, and lay seat surface tile.
33.Measure, cut, and lay side wall tile.
34.Measure, cut, and lay tile on floor, centering pattern around drain for durability and asthetics. Consider cove base corner trim for cleanability.
35. Clean the joints meticulously in preperation for grouting.
36.Grout walls. Urathane grout is recommended. Start with one side. Grout the second wall and wipe down the first wall. Grout the third wall and wipe down the second wall. Grout the curb and wipe down the third wall. Wipe down the curb. Grout the floor last.
37.Wash the walls with a sponge that is wrung out before the grout haze sets up hard. Water puddles will leach the color out of fresh grout.
38.Do not grout interior corners or any change in plane, but use a flexible color matched caulk instead to seal corners.
Clean Up
39.Let the walls and floor dry.
40.Clean the tile and tub with Heavy Duty Tub and Tile Cleaner.