Getting Started with Tub Surround Tile | The First Rows | PLAN LEARN BUILD

🔶First Rows of Tile🔶

These first rows will set you up for failure or success 😄

If you keep things level & even starting out, you'l have an easy time with the rest 👊

If you are using a small cheap table top saw, be patient
You have to let the saw cut, too much pressure will bind the blade
This harbor freight saw gets the job done.....just takes time 😃

A snap cutter will definitely speed things up 👍
Montolit Masterpuima - https://amzn.to/3EWehb7

There are many different methods on setting the first row of tile
Some guys use a ledger board to set the second row first & then come back to fill in the first row
I personally don't like to come back to fill this in the next day
Using a laser & keeping a critical eye on levelness speeds things up IMO
Huepar Laser - https://amzn.to/3seJSBA

Scribe cut the first row to maintain levelness with laser
Fein Dust Extractor Hepa Vac - https://amzn.to/45tc9Tj
Fein Tuckpointing Dust Shroud - https://amzn.to/3OYdWKO
WSG-7 115 Fein grinder - https://amzn.to/3YQv7Bn
Montolit cgx diamond blade - https://amzn.to/3OXzl6F


Burn thinset into substrate with flat side of trowel
This helps the overall bond of thinset to wall

Directionally trowel thinset
Ideally on the short side of tile
This allows air to escape efficiently when trowel ridges are collapsed when setting
Ultimately creating better coverage on tile 👍
Ox Euro notch trowel - https://amzn.to/45b9Cxb


Back butter tiles will increase better coverage on tiles
Use back side of trowel to burn thinset into back side of tiles
I recommend doing this on all tiles 6" and bigger

Horseshoe tile spacers are awesome - https://amzn.to/3P1Ke7D
So much easier to use verses the box store rubber tee spacers 😄
Provide space at tub deck
This will give space for the movement of tub

Be sure to dry off any tiles that have been run through the wet saw
Excessive water can be a bond breaker with thinset

For any tiles over 12" long, I highly recommend using a tile leveling system
This will make it easier maintain evenness between tiles
My favorite is perfect level master - https://www.perfectlevelmaster.com/


When selecting a spacer clip for leveling system, pay attention to the side of tiles
If they are completely rectified & square, choose the desired grout joint size (if wanting 1/16" grout lines, get 1/16" clips)
If the tile edges are not even (which many porcelain tiles are not) go with a thinner spacer to get the overall grout spacing you are wanting
I often use the 1/32" clips on many 12" x 24" porcelain tiles that have a bellowed edge


1/32" clips - https://amzn.to/45yw0R7
1/16" clips - https://amzn.to/3DTvh17
1/8" clips - https://amzn.to/47BoQxo
Wedges - https://amzn.to/47BoQxo


To prevent thinset from oozing out between spacer clips & creating difficulty of removing
Scrape off thinset at tile edge
I use my finger sometimes, but a margin trowel would be best 😄


Check coverage occasionally
Make sure thinset is well bonded
You want to see the trowel lines collapsed and having a suction look to the thinset
If you see defined compressed ridges, you may have allowed thinset to skin over from sitting on wall too long, or you simply do not have enough thinset
If this happens: Scrape, reapply, & check again
Use a larger sized trowel if the issue persists
The objective is to have 95% coverage and seeing no trowel lines 👍

My favorite non-tiling tool 😄
A linoleum knife is great for scraping thinset out of joints & moving tiles - https://amzn.to/3KNy7Z8

Take your time on these first few rows
Make sure tile edges are even with one another & level
The slightest offset can grow on you in the upcoming rows 👍

🎓Enroll in the Tub/Shower Replacement Course -
https://bathroomremodeling.teachable....

This is just 1 of 42 tutorials 💥 Plus if you need help, ask a question in the comment section of the area you are having trouble with 👍

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🎬Chapters
0:00 Harbor Freight Tile Saw
1:25 Ardex X5 thinset
2:57 Tile Trowels
4:38 First Tile Setting
5:30 Burn thinset into substrate
5:46 Directionally Trowel
5:56 Backbutter tiles
8:00 Tile Leveling System
10:54 Check thinset coverage
12:00 Enroll in Course 😊

Bathroom Remodeling & construction is inherently dangerous. Please use proper safety equipment and care with the use of tools and materials. For full disclaimer please review: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y...