Shower Walls and Tub Surrounds

1. Determine if the type of substrate is acceptable to receive a tile installation. It must be structurally sound, solid and stable.
2. When applicable, replace it with an appropriate substrate material such as cement board.
3. Clean the substrate (or existing shower wall). All substrates should be clean, dry and free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, wax, soap, loosely bonded toppings, any primers that are not MAPEI brand, old adhesive residues (unless otherwise recommended by MAPEI), and any other substance that may prevent, reduce or affect adhesion or performance.

1. For cement board substrates, tape and fill joints per the cement board manufacturer’s written instructions.
2. Apply a waterproofing membrane such as MAPEI Mapelastic^® AquaDefense over cement board.

1. Measure and mark the center points of the left and right boundaries for the back wall of the shower. Use a chalk line tool, china marker or pencil to create a line that connects the two points.
2. Measure and mark the center points of the top and bottom of the back wall of the shower. Create a line connecting these points. The intersection of the two lines marks the center point of the back wall of the shower.
3. Using a carpenter’s level and a china marker or pencil, draw the center line so that it continues on the left and right walls of the shower.
4. Using a carpenter’s level, verify that horizontal lines are level and adjust as needed.
5. Take time to carefully plan your layout. It is best to have cut tile at the bottom row of the shower wall if possible.
6. It may be helpful to plan the tile placement by creating a “story pole.” To make a story pole, first lay out the tile with spacers in between each tile on a flat surface, which will represent your tiled wall (left to right = bottom to top). Then mark all tile and grout joint measurements on a long wooden dowel rod. Include decorative inserts and accent tile. Transfer the markings onto your wall surface and review the placement.
7. If you are using border tiles or decorative accent tiles, measure and mark lines to indicate these areas.
8. Dry-fit a row of tiles (or mosaic tile sheets) by placing the tiles (or sheets) in position with spacers along reference lines to check for accuracy and determine tile cuts. Adjust reference lines as needed.
9. Dry-fit all field tiles as well as border and decorative accent tiles.
10. Pre-cut all tiles, with the exception of the bottom row (first row) of tile.
11. Mark a line where the second row of tile will start.

1. Measure water amounts carefully. Mix the mortar according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
2. Select a notched trowel size that is appropriate for the size of the tile. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for guidance if needed.
3. Using a notched trowel, spread mortar while holding the trowel at a 45-degree angle to the wall.
4. First, using the straight (flat) side of the trowel, apply a thin, even coat to the surface. Follow immediately with more mortar and “comb” the mortar in one direction, using the notched side of the trowel to achieve an even-setting bed. If tiles larger than 15″ (38 cm) are used on any side, back-butter tiles before setting them to provide uniform mortar coverage and maximum support. Note: Do not back-butter ceramic tile with curved surfaces such as chair rails and rounded, decorative listellos. Back-buttering these shapes can cause cracking.
5. Only spread as much mortar as can be covered with tiles before the mortar skins over or loses transfer when touched.

Note: If using mesh-backed mosaic tile sheets, skip Step 5 and go to Step 6.

1. Form a temporary support up to the line of where the second row of tile will start. A pile of framing lumber stacked flat or a combination of a box of tile, stacked tiles and a wood ledger strip can be used for this purpose. Note: It is not recommended to screw wood ledger strips into the waterproofing membrane and backerboard. This will compromise your waterproofing seal.
2. Set your second row of tile. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the tile becomes solidly bonded.
3. Building upward, row by row, continue to place the field tiles and decorative accent tiles in position on the substrate. Firmly apply pressure to the face of the tile while moving the tile back and forth perpendicular to the trowel ridges; this helps to ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the tile and that the tile is in an even plane with adjacent tiles.
4. Periodically check that the tile lines are level using a carpenter’s level.
5. Check several of the set tiles for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed without voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of the tile without voids or trowel lines.
6. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
7. Keep grout joints free of mortar. Remove excess mortar by cleaning the grout joints while the mortar is still soft.
8. Place plenty of spacers in between tiles to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
9. Allow field tiles to dry to a firm set and then install the border tile, bullnose or edge trim. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
10. Finally, precut your bottom roll of tile and set the tiles in place. Leave a gap between the tile and shower floor. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the tile becomes solidly bonded. Note: If your shower bottom is a one-piece acrylic factory-molded shower floor, leave a gap between the tile and the top rim. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the tile becomes solidly bonded.
11. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.
12. (Go to Step 7.)

Note: Follow the written instructions of the mosaic tile manufacturer when instructions are provided.

1. Gently place the first mosaic; sheet in the center of the second row.
2. Continue to gently place the sheets in the second row. Then move upward to the next row.
3. Building upward, row by row, continue to place the sheets in place.
4. Using a soft foam rubber grout float, place the float flat against the top surface of the sheet and apply gentle pressure., place the float flat against the top surface of the sheet and apply gentle pressure. This will ensure that the mortar transfers to the back of the mosaic tile and that the tile is in an even plane with the adjacent mosaic tile sheets. Avoid pushing too hard, which will result in mortar coming upwards and filling the grout joints.
5. Check several of the set mosaic tile sheets for adequate mortar coverage by lifting them up. All of the ridges should be collapsed without voids or trowel lines. Mortar should also cover the entire back of each individual tile without voids or trowel lines. Note: This is especially important for clear and translucent glass tile.
6. Keep a damp sponge nearby for quick cleanup in case mortar is dropped on the tiles or any other surfaces.
7. Keep grout joints free of mortar. Remove excess mortar by cleaning the grout joints while the mortar is still soft.
8. Place plenty of spacers in between mosaic tile sheets to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
9. Place plenty of spacers in between mosaic tile sheets to ensure even spacing between tiles and straight, uniform grout joints.
10. Allow mosaic tile sheets to dry to a firm set and then install border tile. Refer to the instructions on the package of mortar or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
11. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.
12. Finally, precut your bottom roll of mosaic tile and set the sheets in place. Leave a gap between the tile and shower floor. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the mosaic tile becomes solidly bonded. Note: If your shower bottom is a one-piece acrylic factory-molded shower floor, leave a gap between the mosaic sheets and the top rim. Use spacers to maintain a consistent gap. Allow the area to dry until the mortar achieves its initial cure and the mosaic tile becomes solidly bonded.
13. Protect the area from use and avoid disturbing the tile.

1. Allow all tiles to dry until a firm set. Refer to the instructions on the package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for recommended drying times.
2. Remove the spacers.
3. Certain types of tiles – such as heavily pitted tiles, unglazed tiles, and tiles that have textured surfaces such as some wood-look tiles – may require special preparation before grouting. The application of a pre-grouting sealer may be necessary to prevent grout haze and permanent staining of the tile.

1. Moisten the surface of the tile with a damp sponge.
2. If Keracolor^® U Unsanded Grout, Keracolor S Sanded Grout or Ultracolor^® Plus FA grout is used, measure water amounts and do not add any extra water. Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Refer to current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for detailed instructions.
3. If MAPEI’s UltraCare^® Grout Maximizer additive is used with Keracolor U Unsanded Grout or Keracolor S Sanded Grout, mix the entire bag of grout with 3/4 (75%) of the coordinating unit of UltraCare Grout Maximizer and do not add any water. Add some or all of the reserved UltraCare Grout Maximizer as needed in order to reach a sticky paste consistency similar to creamy peanut butter.
4. Next, holding the grout float at a 45-degree angle, force grout into the joints to completely fill the joints with no voids.
5. When grouting a large area, grout and clean one section at a time rather than applying grout over the entire tile area.
6. Remove excess grout from the tile surface by moving the rubber float at a 90-degree angle across the tile in a diagonal direction.

1. Refer to the instructions on the grout package or current Technical Data Sheets on our product pages for cleaning instructions.
2. Never allow the grout to remain on the surface of the tiles for an extended length of time before completing the initial cleaning.
3. After each wipedown, rinse and wring out the sponge so that no excess water stays on the tile surface.
4. Change the rinse water frequently. Having multiple buckets of clean water at hand will simplify this process.
5. Make sure that all tiles are thoroughly cleaned before the grout dries. Note: This is especially important when using a rapid-setting cement-based grout such as MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA.
6. If grouting with MAPEI Keracolor S Sanded Grout or MAPEI Keracolor U Unsanded Grout, come back about an hour later and check the tile for any residual haze. If needed, buff the tiles with a dry terrycloth towel to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
7. If using MAPEI Flexcolor^® CQ grout, perform a second wash and use a light-duty scrubpad (the kind that is safe for china) to remove any remaining haze. Contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department if the grout haze persists.
8. If grouting with MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA, all residual grout haze must be removed from the tile surface within 30 minutes to one hour after grouting.
9. If grouting with MAPEI Kerapoxy^® CQ, contact MAPEI’s Technical Services Department for haze removal instructions.

1. Apply flexible caulk such as Mapesil^® T Plus in areas of movement such as wall/tub transitions, soap dishes, towel bars, shelves and tub wall corners.