How to tile a wall: step-by-step DIY guide

A tiled wall in the bathroom, kitchen or toilet looks sleek and is easy to keep clean. With good preparation and the right tools, you can do it yourself. This DIY blog takes you through it step by step, from substrate to final sealant joint.

What do you need to tile a wall?

Which materials do you need?

• Wall tiles or other ceramic tiles suitable for walls. Order some extra for cutting waste and future repairs.
• Tile adhesive that suits your tile and substrate, such as Kerakoll H40 Gel. According to the manufacturer it is suitable for both walls and floors.
• A primer that suits your substrate and adhesive, such as a deep penetrating primer for absorbent substrates.
• Grout in a colour that goes with your tiles, such as Kerakoll Fugabella Color.
• Sanitary silicone sealant for corners and joints.
• In the shower: a waterproofing system with sealing tape and coating.

Which tools do you need?

• A notched trowel, for example the STALCO stainless steel trowel with 8 x 8 teeth. The notch size you need depends on your tile and adhesive.
• A drill with a mixer for adhesive and plaster and a sturdy bucket.
• A spirit level, a straight batten, a glass and ceramic pencil and a tape measure.
• Tile spacers, such as this set of STALCO tile spacers, or a levelling system for larger tiles.
• A tile cutter to score and snap tiles.
• A grout float, two sponges and two buckets of water.
• A caulking gun for the silicone sealant.
• Protective gear: nitrile-coated work gloves, safety glasses, knee pads, safety shoes and sturdy workwear. Choose your own size.

How do you prepare the wall?

The substrate must be clean, dry, flat and sound. Fill holes and remove dust, grease and loose material. Then prime the wall: this helps the adhesive bond and stops an absorbent substrate from drawing the water out of the adhesive too quickly. Let the primer dry as stated on the packaging.

Tiling a bathroom? First waterproof the wet zones, such as the shower corner, with a waterproofing system of sealing tape and coating. This keeps moisture out from behind the tiles.

Are there sockets or switches in the wall? Switch off the circuit before you remove any cover plates. If anything in the electrics needs to be moved or modified, have it done by a certified electrician.

How do you tile a wall, step by step?

1. Plan the tile layout. Measure the wall and work from the centre, so the cut tiles on both sides are equally wide and you avoid thin slivers in plain sight. Include the joint width.
2. Fix a starting batten. A floor or bath is rarely perfectly level, so fix a straight batten level at the height of the first row of whole tiles and draw a plumb line as your vertical starting point.
3. Mix the tile adhesive. Follow the mixing ratio on the packaging and mix the adhesive with the drill and mixer in a clean bucket until smooth. Mix no more than you can use within the working time and rinse the mixer straight away.

4. Apply the adhesive with the notched trowel. Cover a small area and comb ridges in one direction with the notched trowel. Do not apply more adhesive than you can tile before a skin forms on it.
5. Place the tiles. Press each tile firmly into the adhesive, sliding it slightly. Use tile spacers for even joints, check regularly with the spirit level and wipe off adhesive residue straight away with a damp sponge.
6. Cut the edge tiles. Mark the size on the face of the tile, score it with the tile cutter and snap it along the line. Place the cut edge in the corner. Drill holes for pipes before the tile goes on the wall; see our blog on diamond drilling in tile and concrete.
7. Tile the bottom row. Once the adhesive has cured, remove the starting batten and cut the bottom row to size.
8. Grout the tiles. Wait until the adhesive has fully cured (see the packaging). Remove the spacers, mix the grout and work it diagonally into the joints with the grout float. Press it in well and keep corners and junctions free.
9. Sponge the tiles clean. Start once the grout has firmed up slightly. Wipe the grout off the tiles with a lightly damp sponge in circular movements, rinsing it often. Remove any haze later with a dry cloth or a tile cleaner for cement haze.
10. Seal the corners and junctions. Once the grout is dry, seal the corner joints and the junctions with the bath or floor using sanitary silicone sealant and a caulking gun. See also our blog on resealing your bathroom.

What mistakes do DIYers often make?

• Not priming. The substrate draws the water out of the adhesive, so the tiles bond poorly.
• Starting from the floor. If you follow a sloping floor, all your tiling will run crooked.
• Too much adhesive at once. Adhesive that has already skinned over no longer bonds well.
• Grouting corners instead of sealing them. A rigid joint can crack there; sealant absorbs movement.
• Using tiles from just one box. Work from two or three boxes at once, so small colour differences are nicely spread out.

💡 Tip: now and then, lift a freshly placed tile off the wall and check the back. Well covered with adhesive? Then you are doing it right. Mainly separate ridges? Press harder or use a trowel with larger notches.

How do you tile safely?

Tile adhesive and grout often contain cement. Cement is strongly alkaline and can irritate your skin or cause an allergy. So wear good nitrile-coated gloves and wash your hands after work. Wear safety glasses when mixing and cutting.

Grinding or sawing tiles? This can release quartz dust, which is harmful to your lungs. Ideally work outdoors, wet or with dust extraction, and wear suitable respiratory protection, such as an FFP3 dust mask. Knee pads help with the bottom rows. Safety shoes protect your toes if a tile or bag of adhesive falls, and sturdy workwear keeps adhesive and dust off your skin. You will find all personal protective equipment in our workwear and safety range. For more tips, read our guide to safe working on the construction site.

What do DIYers often ask about tiling a wall?

Can I tile over existing tiles?

Often, as long as the old tiles are firmly attached and flat. Clean and degrease them and use a primer for non-absorbent substrates. The wall will get thicker, so pay attention around sockets and window frames.

How many tiles should I order?

Divide the wall area by the area of one tile. Add extra for cutting waste and breakage; many DIY guides allow around 15 per cent extra. Keep a few spare tiles for future repairs.

When can I grout the tiles?

Only once the tile adhesive has fully cured. This differs per adhesive, so always check the packaging.

Which notched trowel do I need?

That depends on the tile size and the adhesive: smaller tiles need finer notches, larger tiles coarser ones. Also check the adhesive packaging.

Why do I seal the corners instead of grouting them?

In corners and at junctions with the bath, shower tray or floor, materials move slightly. A rigid grout joint can crack there; silicone sealant stays flexible and keeps out moisture and dirt.

Do I need extra waterproofing in the shower?

Yes. Behind tiles in the shower you need a waterproofing system with sealing tape in the corners and a coating. Grout and sealant alone will not keep moisture out.

Where can you find everything to tile your wall?

At Saniso, the online DIY store for building and renovating, you will find everything for your tiling job.

• Browse our ceramic tiles and wall tiles.
• Find the right construction tools and grouts. Not sure which grout to choose? Read Fugalite or Fugabella: which grout is right for you?
• Create a customer account and order with ease.
• Working on a larger project? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit in Zwaag, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

Saniso – Build your home with Saniso.

Read also: How to lay laminate: step-by-step DIY guide

Read also: How many spots do you need in the bathroom?, because the tiles on your wall reflect the light of your ceiling spots.

Read also: How many bags of sand-cement do I need?

Read also: How to clean while tiling

Read also: How to clean, remove and renew discoloured grout

Read also: Sustainable tile adhesive and grout: what to look out for

Read also: How to tile a bathroom: step-by-step DIY guide

Read also: How to tile a kitchen splashback