Step By Step Process Of Applying Mortar To A Shower Wall
After you have framed a shower and the cement backer board has been fastened using nails to the framing timbers in order to create a wall, it is ready to be tiled. Mortar, including thin-set mortar, is used to stick the tiles fast to the backer board. You can easily apply a thin-set mortar to your shower wall provided you follow the right technique & use the right tools. Once to follow the right technique, it is highly possible that the tiles you install will remain in place as the mortar sets as well as hardens.
- Clean The Shower Wall Cement Backer Board: First of all, you need to wipe or rinse the shower wall cement backer board or other underlayments, with the help of a microfiber cloth, which as a result helps you get rid of any dust.
- Thinset Mortar Powder: Now, don a face mask before putting the thin-set mortar powder into a clean bucket. Put together 1 1/2 gallons of water per 50 pounds of the mixture, or use only the amount that is listed on the thin-set packaging label, due to the reason that different thin-set mixtures may have distinct or separate requirements.
- Mix The Water And Thinset Together: Next, combine or put together the water and thinset with a slow-speed mixer as long as it is a smooth consistency, exactly the same as thick, creamy peanut butter.
- Let The Thin-set Mortar Sit For 10 Minutes: After that, allow the thin-set mortar to sit for at least 10 minutes in order to permit it to "slake," or fully soak up the water so that the mortar constituents can activate and start the chemical reaction that the thin-set goes through when it cures or hardens.
- Pick Up The Thin-set Mortar: Take hold of the thin-set mortar using the flat edge of the square notched trowel and apply it onto the shower wall cement backer board with firm pressure in order to create a thin scratch coat. The scratch coat will help the thicker layer of mortar stick fast to the wall.
- Pick Up More Thin-set Mortar: Take hold of more thin-set mortar using the trowel and apply it onto the thin scratch coat on the cement backer board with the help of the notched edge of the trowel in order to create a 1/8-inch layer of mortar. Protect an area that you can tile within 20 minutes of application, like a 2- or 3-foof section. Run the trowel edge along the thin-set mortar so that it comes up with even, straight ribs or bead lines in the mortar. The ribs will help the tile adhere to the mortar.
- Press The Tiles Into The Mortar: Finally, move or push the tiles into the mortar in the desired installation pattern. For large tiles or tiles having uneven back surfaces, put or spread a thin layer of thin-set mortar to the back of the tile preceding to pressing it into the mortar. This process is usually known as back buttering the tile.