How to Tile a Bathroom

Learn How to Tile a Bathroom

DIY Tiling Made Easy! Doing-it-yourself for your next bathroom renovation will be a breeze when you follow the steps and tricks in our how to tile a bathroom video series. Learn how to tile a bathroom from floor to ceiling - plus learn a few tips to help with other home tiling projects.

Watch the DIY bathroom tiling videos below before tackling your project. Whether you want to learn to tile a sprawling main bathroom for a whole family to use or just a small bathroom, you'll still need to know the same tricks and techniques.

Watch the whole process right here with one of our tiler mates.

Creating a Shower Hob

If you're planning to build a new shower hob for your bathroom, after you prime but before you waterproof is the best time to do it. While 900x900mm is standard size for a shower hob, many people are opting for bigger or even double showers. Follow the steps below to create your shower hob.

Step 1: Start by measuring from the walls then out onto the floor, and create a line using a straight edge. Make sure the measurements are parallel and square to the walls. To check you have got it square, measure from corner to corner.

Step 2: Build the hob with hebel blocks. You can pick these up from most Beaumont Tile stores. Cut the hebel in half with a handyman saw.

Step 3: Stick down the hebel blocks with Abascreed. Pour in the water first to create a sloppy mix. Add the mix along the lines that were drawn earlier and push the hebel down into the cement. Add cement on the ends of the hebel blocks to bind them together. Once this is done, check the levels and remove any excess cement before it dries.

Step 4: Before you make the screed, it's important to mark the fall towards the grate drain. Australian standards state that you have to have at least a 10mm fall every 600mm.

Step 5: To pour the screed, tip the pre-mixed bag into the shower area and create a well. Pour in the water and mix it in. A good way to test the consistency is to grab a bit with your hand and let it go - it should stay together.

Step 6: Repeat this process untill the base is full, and use a level to even out the surface. Don’t forget to ensure the screed lines up with the marks of the fall that were created earlier.

Step 7: Once the screed is dry, sweep the area and prime it once more. Then use a Neutral Core Silicone Sealer in all of the internal corners of the shower including the walls, the floor and the hebel.

Waterproofing Your Bathroom

Waterproofing is a vital step before you tile a bathroom, so it can pay to have a professional do it. But if you want to take a crack and do it yourself, just follow the steps below.

Step 1: Once your surfaces are primed, use Neutral Core Silicone Sealer to run a generous bead along all internal corners. Use your finger to finish off the bead.

Step 2: Apply Ardex STB Butynol Tape along each corner of your shower, shower hob and along the flushing to ensure no water gets behind the grate drain.

Step 3: Use a paint roller to cover the entire wall and floor with a waterproofer. Make sure the entire wet area is well waterproofed.

Step 4: Wait for the first coat of waterproof membrane to completely dry and apply a second coat. A good tip is to apply the second coat at a 90 degree angle to the first.

Step 5: Allow the membrane to dry for at least 24 hours before you start tiling.

Laying Bathroom Tiles

Tiling a bathroom is no more difficult than any other room. Whether you're tiling a sprawling family bathroom or working within the tighter confines of an ensuite or smaller bathroom, the steps to tile your floor and walls are straightforward.

Unlike floors in other rooms, your bathroom floor may include some "falls" - very slight slopes that allow water to flow towards drains and prevent your bathroom from flooding. These may already be built into the surface you're tiling over, but if you need to create a fall (like in a shower hob), jump back up to the section on creating a shower hob for the steps.

Tiling your bathroom walls is also a straightforward affair. The only difference between a bathroom and most other rooms is that you'll probably need to make a few extra cuts to your tiles to make holes for your tapware and plumbing. If you do it yourself rather than getting some help, cutting tiles like this can take a little practice - one of the reasons we recommend getting a few spares when you order your tiles.