What you’ll need
- Utility Knife or Backerboard Knife
- 1/2 -inch Cement Backerboard
- Backerboard Screws
- Drill
- Thinset Trowel
- 15 lbs Roofing Felt
- Marble and Granite Thinset or FlexBond
- 2-inch Fiberglass Tape
- Staple Gun or Hammer Tacker
- Grout Float
- Grout
- Marble Mosaic Tile
- Grout Sponge
- Penetrating Grout and Tile Sealer
- Margin Trowel
- Tile Spacers
- Joint Knife
Step 1 – Apply Penetrating Tile and Grout Sealer
Apply a layer of penetrating tile and grout sealer over every marble mosaic tile. This prevents the dye of the grout seeping into the marble tiles.
Step 2 – Check for Mold
Remove the existing drywall and shower items. Check the studs for mold. If mold is found, apply bleach on the affected areas. Air-dry it completely before proceeding to the next step.
Step 3 – Install Roofing Felt
Cut the roofing felt (15 lbs) into pieces and fit them over the studs. Use a staple gun or hammer tacker to attach the roofing felt onto the studs.
Step 4 – Install Cement Backerboard
Cut the cement backerboards and screw it onto the studs with backerboard screws. After doing so for all the backerboard, apply the thinset over the joints with the joint knife one by one. Next, cut the 2-inch fiberglass tape and place it over the applied thinset. Excess thinset is to be scraped away using the joint knife. Repeat the thinset process for all the joints.
Step 5 – Moist the Backerboard
Remove any debris and dust from the backerboard’s surface. Using a slightly damp sponge or spray bottle, moisten its surface.
Step 6 – Apply Thinset onto Shower Walls
Mix the thinset consistently in a bucket and make sure that you have enough thinset to finish the whole project. After mixing the thinset, let it rest for 15 mins. Then, use a joint knife or margin trowel to remove the thinset to load on the thinset trowel. Apply the thinset with upstrokes onto shower walls.
Step 7 – Install Marble Mosaic Tiles
Spread the thinset onto the marble mosaic tiles and install onto the shower walls. Use tile spacers to create straight and consistent grout lines.
Step 8 – Apply Grout
Let the marble mosaic tiles dry for 1 day. Then remove tile spacers from the marble tiles. They can be kept for future tile projects. Mix the grout in a bucket to consistency and let it rest for 15 mins. Then, use a joint knife or margin trowel to remove grout from bucket and load it on the grout float. Apply the grout onto the tiles and grout joints with upstrokes. Apply the grout with force into grout lines so that there are no gaps or spaces. Let it dry for 20 to 25 minutes. Excess grout is to be wiped off from the tiles with a damp sponge.
Step 9 – Apply Penetrating Tile and Grout Sealer
Let the grout stand for 3 days. Then, apply 2 layers of penetrating tile and grout sealer onto the entire surface of grout lines and tiles.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
