Installing Tile On Concrete Walls

Ceramic and porcelain tile are so frequently installed at or above grade level on a cement board underlayment or directly on plywood that it almost seems novel to install tile directly on concrete.

Installing tile on concrete walls.

Clean the wall surface thoroughly removing all loose and granular materials to give a sound surface. However make sure that the surface is smooth and flat before doing anything. Whenever you re laying tile on a wood subfloor you need to first install cement backerboard to prevent leaks and water damage. Apply even pressure to force the air out of the thinset and to make firm contact between the layer of thinset on the tile and the layer on the wall.

Remember to add in the thickness of the thinset mortar you use to lay the tile. For highly wet areas such as showers and bathtub surrounds cement board typically is attached directly over the wall studs and the studs may be. The ceramic tile installation procedure illustrated in the photographs that follow involved the following steps. Installing tile directly on concrete.

Spread a smooth layer of thinset on the back of the first tile and press it firmly into the notched layer on the wall. You may also use floor tiles on a concrete wall if you don t like to use wall tiles. You may install the tiles on the surface directly without the need for cement boards. Allow for adequate room under doors and consider the height difference when transitioning to other materials.

Unlike wood or drywall sub surfaces cement backerboard will not rot warp or grow mold and mildew when exposed to water. Installation tips the standard thickness of floor grade cement tiles is usually 5 8 16mm up to 3 4 18mm for larger format tiles. Check the tile for plumb and level then proceed to the next tile. Let the cleaned wall dry.

Generally ceramic porcelain or stone tile can be installed in exterior locations over suitable substrates such as masonry concrete mortar beds and in some cases certain types of backer board units. These substrates must be structurally sound meet deflection requirements and meet on plane requirements. Laying down tiles on a concrete wall is not much different than laying tiles on drywall. Spread the adhesive on small surfaces to avoid getting it dried use a level to check the quality of your work rent a wet saw to cut the tiles accurately.

Seal the wall surface with a tile mastic compatible.