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CUTTING CERAMIC TILE

Cutting ceramic tile is a snap—literally. Tile is so brittle that the fastest way to cut it is to break it.

For straight cuts, use a tile cutter. Its hardened wheel scores the glazed surface of the tile. Then, when you push down on the handle, the tile is clamped on either side of the scored line and snapped in two. Most tile suppliers will lend you this tool if you are buying tile from them. If the snapped edge is a little rough, smooth it with a coarse sharpening stone.

For curved cuts, use a nipper. A nipper has hardened teeth that bite away the tile. It's fast and effective but leaves a crude-looking edge. The trick is not to take off too much at one time and to use a corner of the jaws for greater control.

For smoother cuts, use a rod saw—a round carbide blade that fits into a hacksaw frame. It's slow but makes nice smooth curves.

If you have a lot of cutting to do, rent a wet saw. It is great for perfect miters, notches, and L-shaped cuts.

Installing a Crab Bar

I need to install a grab bar in our tub. How can I find the studs behind the tiles?
Installing a grab bar involves more than finding a stud. Most bars require three screws at each mounting plate. These screws are spaced so that not all of them will fit on the face of a stud. Also, grab bars don't usually match the typical 16-inch-on-center stud spacing. To do the job right, you'll need to open up the wall and attach a 2 x 10 block between the studs with 3 1/2-inch screws. Then patch the hole with cement board and replacement tiles. Once the patch is completed, mark the location of the grab bar screw holes on the tiles and drill through the tiles with a carbide-tipped drill bit. Most grab bars are made of stainless steel, so be sure to use stainless steel screws to attach it to the wall to prevent rust or other corrosion.

For specific information regarding the placement of handrails and grab bars, call your local or state building department.

If your tub is located on an inside wall, it might be easier to get to the studs from the adjoining room. To install the 2 x 10, you'll only need to cut and then patch the drywall.

Tiles That Stay Stuck

How do I apply mortar to get the best adhesion?
To make your tiles stick permanently, spread mortar on the floor or wall in one direction, set the tile in place, and then slide each tile back and forth about 1/4-inch, moving at a right angle to the mortar lines as you press it in. Every once in a while, pry a tile back up to check its adhesion. The mortar should cover 80 percent of the back of the tile. If it doesn't, either your mortar is too dry or you need to use a wider-notched towel.

The mortar tends to hide your chalk guidelines, so lay straight-edges along them after spreading the adhesive to keep the pattern perfectly straight.

Adding a Shelf When Tiling a Shower

I'd like to add a comer shelf when I retile my shower stall. How do I do it?
A corner shelf made of solid surfacing material or porcelain ceramic is a great convenience for keeping your soap and shampoo within easy reach while you shower.

If you are retiling your bath, simply tile the corner up to the height where you want the shelf, then glue the shelf in place against the cement backer board, using thinset mortar. If the corner is out of square, sand the edges of the shelf so that it fits snugly. The shelf should rest on the top edge of the row of tiles beneath it.

When you install the next row, notch or cut the bottoms of the tiles so that they fit over the shelf and keep the rows even.

To install a shelf on an already tiled wall, you could glue it to the surface of the tile with a silicone-base tile adhesive (sold at tile stores). But keep in mind that this isn't the most secure way to install a shelf and should be for light-duty use only. Be sure to install the shelf high enough to deter a child from trying to hang from it or sit on it.

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TITLE: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture Store

Home Improvement Category: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself

Shopping Mall: Home Improvement offers do-it-yourself Home Improvement guide and store, Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself Store

Home Improvement Topics: Home Improvement, Home Depot, Home Decor, Home Decorating, Home Remodeling, Home Decor, Home Interior, Home Furniture, Home, Do it Yourself, Doityourself, DIY, Diy Network, Do-it-Yourself