Tiles are a great option for your shower floor, and they can easily last for years.
But, once they start to wear out, it's time to remodel the floor. However, retiling an entire shower floor can be a backbreaking task if you don't know anything about bathroom flooring.
So, today, I'll talk about how to redo a shower floor.
Steps For Remodeling A Shower Floor
Step 1: Remove The Old Tiles
The first and foremost step in remodeling the shower floor is to get rid of the old ceramic tiles. Take up a putty knife and start removing the grout that's holding the old shower floor tiles together.
Once you've removed all the grout, pry out the tiles by sliding the putty knife underneath them. Most tiles should come off easily, but you can also use a hammer to remove the tougher tiles.
Step 2: Check The Floor Base
After removing the old tiles, examine the shower floor base for any leftover adhesive. You can easily remove the remaining adhesives using elbow grease or a commercial paint remover.
Make sure that the floor base is smooth and free of any leftover tile adhesive before installing new tiles. You might need to repeat the process multiple times to completely clean the shower floor base.
Step 3: Examine Water Barrier
Once you've removed all the old tiles and the adhesive, it's time to check the existing water barrier of the shower floor. The water barrier prevents water from soaking into the lower base of the shower floor and maintains the floor's health. So, it's imperative to check the water barrier before putting down new tiles on the floor.
If the water barrier is in good shape, you can install the new tiles. However, if it is broken or damaged, you have to replace or repair it.
Step 4: Install New Tiles
Apply a fine and even coat of freshly mixed thin-set mortar on the area where you want to install the new tiles. Thin-set mortar dries pretty quickly, so make sure to place the tiles within 15 minutes of applying the mixture. Start with a small area and don't apply the mixture throughout the entire space all at once.
Now, use a comb over the thin-set mortar so that the new tiles can better adhere to the mixture. Tap the tiles gently after placing them on the coarse thin-set mortar coating, and use a flat board to press down the new tiles.
Final Words
Remodeling a shower floor can be tough for a newbie. That said, you can follow the steps I've mentioned above to make the task quite easy for you.
Just be careful while placing the new tiles and use a tile spacer to maintain an equal distance between all the tiles. And try not to overcrowd the shower floor, or you’ll end up ruining the aesthetics.