DIY: How to Prepare Walls for Tile

Walls need to be prepared if you decide to install tiles on them. A series of protocol will make the job easier and yield a great finished product. In a few simple steps you will have smooth and clean walls to lay tiles.

Materials:

• Crowbar/ Chisel

• Screwdriver

• Hammer

• Sand Paper

• Putty/ Spackle

• Waterproof Primer

• Paint bushes and Rollers

• Mildew remover

• Bucket and Scrub Brush

• Old Cloth Rag

• Ballpoint Pen

• Eye Protection

Steps to Prepare Walls:

1. Outline all electrical outlet and light switch covers in pen lightly. Penning around the covers allows you to see how far to stop adding tile to the wall without the risk of damaging the covers or making a mistake when cutting the tile. Then remove all outlet/ light switch covers. They can be easily taken off with a screwdriver. Save all loose screws and covers to be reinstalled on the walls after tiling.

2. Remove other fixtures, appliances, or anything that can get in the way. Repeat the process from step 1.

3. Remove old wallpaper, tiles, and paneling. Tiling walls need to have smooth, bare surfaces. Walls need stable and secure to support the weight of the tiles. Extra steps now saves time in the future.

a. Wallpaper can be pulled off easily by steaming it with a wall steamer. These can be found at any hardware store. Renting a steamer should be considered if it would not be frequently used.

b. Paneling can be removed with crowbar. Take the tool to the edge of the paneling and pry it off. You might need to remove baseboards to get to the edge of the paneling. Baseboards come off by taking a crowbar to the edge of the wood and the wall and prying it off.

c. Removing old tiles is necessary for the addition of new tiles. You will need a hammer and chisel. Start with the chisel touching the old grout and hit the chisel with the hammer. Pieces will come off in chunks and debris. It is recommended wear eye protection! Pry off stubborn tiles with the chisel.

4. If the walls are moldy, scrub them with mildew remover. Use store bought mildew/ mold remover in a spray bottle. Spray the remover on the walls. Wash with a scrub brush to make sure all mildew is remover. This step is crucial because covering up mildew instead of removing it is hazardous to your health!

5. Wash the mildew remover from the walls. Leaving mildew remover on the walls is bad technique and will become a problem in the remaining steps. Fill a with water and use an old cloth rag to wash the walls clean.

6. Patch up all holes and cracks. Use Spackle to fill in the open gaps. Apply the Spackle with a putty knife. Use just enough Spackle to cover the hole. Gobs of dried Spackle are harder to remover after it dries. Wait for it to dry then smooth over the area with sand paper. However, watch to make sure you do not sand off too much Spackle or else you will have to redo it. Then dust off the walls fully with a damp rag. Be sure to clean the walls for all dirt and grime. The result would be a hole/crack-less, smooth, and clean wall.

7. Paint walls with a waterproof primer. Apply waterproof primer with paintbrushes and rollers. Only one coat of primer is needed. Primer needs to be applied to ensure a sealed surface for tile to adhere correctly to the wall. You may want to use painters tape to protect windows, baseboards, and ceiling from being painted on.

8. Wait for the paint to dry before beginning to tile. It is suggested you wait at least 3 days before adding tile.

Tips:

• Work in a well-ventilated room.

• Wear old clothes. They will get dirty and painted on!

• Consider wearing a face mask to not breathe in the toxic fumes. Always wear eye protection.

• Do not do more than you can handle. It takes a lot of strength to remove old tiles and fixtures. If there is heavy lifting, it is best done in pairs.