Replacing Tile in a Shower

Figure A

Steps:

1. Put on the face shield and use the painter's tool to loosen the grout around the tile or tiles you need to replace.

2. Draw a grid on the tiles with a grease pen to help guide your cuts (figure A).

Figure B

3. Set the depth on the rotary tool just for the depth of the tile to avoid cutting into the wallboard (figure B).

4. Put on a dust mask and face shield and start cutting the tiles. Work from the inside out and cut the tiles into several sections.

Figure C

5. Using a mini-pry bar and hammer, loosen and remove the cut squares of the tile (figure C).

6. Scrape away remaining adhesive with the painter's tool.

Figure D

7. Mix up some putty and spread over the area to create a smooth, even surface for the replacement tiles. Before the putty hardens, use the painter's tool to make sure it's smooth (figure D).

Figure E

8. Apply adhesive onto the back of the tiles using a toothed tile trowel (figure E).

Figure F

9. Find spacers that match the gap between your current tiles. If plastic spacers are too wide, cut sections out of a tongue depressor (figure F). Fit the tiles into place and use a straightedge to make sure they're lined up.

10. Let the adhesive dry for about an hour, then remove the spacers.

11. Mix the grout/adhesive mixture according to package directions and force into the grout joints using your finger. Wipe off excess using a damp grout sponge.

12. Let the tiles dry for a couple of days before exposing them to moisture.