It is an easy and inexpensive way to renew your bathroom. You can do it over the weekend by following these steps:
First of all, remove the old tile. Keep in mind that this will be dusty. Wear a respirator and ensure that there is enough ventilation. Use drop cloth on the floor to keep the working area as clean as possible.
After removing the old tile, place a backer board on the drywall. Make sure that it has the right thickness. It will give you a sturdy and level surface so that you can easily attach the tile. You might need a jigsaw to make holes on the panel to accommodate the faucets and other fixtures in the bathroom.
Measure your work area and determine how many tiles will be needed. Measure each wall area. Add up the areas and add a 10% extra just in case. Careful measurement will lead to purchasing the right amount of tile. It prevents overspending and overconsumption, and, in this way, you avoid the risk of mismatches in texture and color between tiles.
Before setting the tile panels, dry lay all of them to understand how and where to start. This step will also help you see how much to cut the tile panels when needed. When understood how the tile panels will be laid out, start positioning tiles with the help of spacers that are useful to ensure that tiles are evenly located. Determine an innovative layout plan in a way that you will need to cut the least amount of tile panels.
At the end of installing each vertical row, take a look at the row to see if tiles are level and straight. A starter board can function as a straight edge.
Use thin-set mortar to hold panels in place after they are set. Apply pressure to the tiles using a grout float. If you do not have one, you can also use your hands
Replace any broken tile with an intact one. You can pull off the broken tile from the cement. Fill in any gaps in the corners with properly cut tiles. Using a wet tile saw would be the most practical way to cut tiles. Tile nippers are also helpful for trim works.
In case of applying too much mortar, scrape the excess out with a screwdriver. Be quick since removing it won't be easy once it dries. When you are done placing tiles, allow the thin-set mortar to dry for 24 hours.
Lastly, apply grout between tiles with a rubber float. Choose a grout color that fits best with tiles. Wipe off the excess grout with water and a clean sponge. Once everything is finished, wait another 24 hours for the grout to dry.
What a significant change you will create in your bathroom in just two days! Good luck and have fun!