Can you tile over expansion joints?

The Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook goes on to state, “Joints through tilework directly over structural joints must never be narrower than the structural joint.” This means that if the expansion joint in the concrete is 3/8″ wide, the sealant joint in the tile must be the same size.

How do you tile a shower corner?





More Tips

  1. Try to line up your corners. …
  2. Once thinset becomes too thick and dry, throw it away and make a new batch. …
  3. Don’t just place tile onto thin-set. …
  4. Watch for tipped corners. …
  5. Use a screwdriver to pry up tiles that are in the wrong place. …
  6. Open a few boxes of tile and mix them up. …
  7. Make sure you plan accordingly.


Do you need expansion joints when tiling?

A movement joint or ‘expansion joint’ is an intentional interruption in the tile or stone surface to allow for movement in the wall or floor. Hard flooring expands and contracts so it’s important to use a movement joint for your tiling project to prevent the tiles and grout from cracking or the tiles de-bonding.

How do you tile expansion joints?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: If you leave the baseboard on then you have to do a soft chewing up against the wood base you can't just kind of tighten and grab it you have – I have room for expansion contraction.

Should you caulk concrete expansion joints?





Caulking Concrete Cracks and Expansion Joints



Even expansion joints in your concrete driveway should be caulked. They can be the biggest culprit of water under your slabs. Notice how the caulking is slightly lower than the concrete slab around it.

How do you stop tiles from cracking?

You should make sure that an anti-fracture membrane has been laid between your tile and the subfloor. Anti-fracture membranes are designed to absorb any cracking energy and disperse it across a larger area of the floors. This keeps all that pressure off of a single tile and prevents cracking.

Do you grout the corners of a shower?

It’s essential to use caulk, not grout, in shower corners. Grout does not hold up well in corners and is prone to cracking and falling out. This is because the tiles on the two perpendicular walls expand and contract with temperature changes.

How do you finish tile corners?

Finishing tile edges improves the appearance of a tile project while protecting exposed edges from cracks or moisture. Using caulk, trim tile pieces and edging are three of the most popular and effective ways to finish tile edges. Caulking is the cheapest and easiest method for finishing tile edges.

How do you finish internal tile corners?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Use bathroom silicone or sanitary.

Do you grout expansion joints?

Expansion joints are spaces between tiles that, instead of being filled with grout, are filled with a flexible sealant.

How much space should be between shower floor and wall tile?

a 1/16”



Leave a 1/16” gap at a minimum between the tile and side walls. This helps with expansion and contraction as well as the caulk joint.

Does Thinset expand and contract?

The adhesion of the bonding material to the tile and substrate restrains the actual amount of expansion but does not eliminate it. This is where coverage and type of thinset can make a big difference in whether the tile stays in place or not.

Is back buttering tile necessary?

Although not necessary for tile coverage, back buttering can be effective by increasing the bond of the mortar to the back of the tile which is an excellent benefit.

What happens if you use too much thinset?

An excess of thinset can cause an uneven surface, ooze between tiles, and form a poor bond between tiles and your substrate. Use just enough thinset mortar to form a solid bond between the back of the tile and the surface beneath. In most installations, a layer of thinset 3/16 to 1/8-inch thick is sufficient.

How thick should thinset be under tile?



This type of cement is designed to adhere well in a thin layer – typically not greater than 3/16th thick. For example, a 3/8″ notch trowel will produce a 3/16th inch thick coating after the tiles are pressed in to the cement.

Does thinset go on wall or tile?

Mortar, such as thinset mortar, is used to adhere the tiles to the backer board. By using the proper techniques, you can apply the thinset mortar to your shower wall and be confident that the tiles you install will remain in place as the mortar sets and hardens.

Can I use mortar instead of thinset?

Thinset is an adhesive cement used to secure floor and wall tiles to concrete surfaces. The word “thinset” is sometimes used interchangeably with “mortar,” because it’s a type of modified mortar made specifically for tile.

What consistency should mortar be for tiling?

thick peanut butter



The mortar should be fairly thick, like thick peanut butter. The thickness and consistency of the initial mix should be the same consistency of the final mix. Slaking is necessary! Do not add more water or mortar mix after the mortar slakes.

How long can thinset sit in bucket?

Once mixed, the mortar in the bucket should be workable for approximately 90-120 minutes. This is called the “pot life” of the mortar. Avoid mixing more mortar than you can apply in two hours as the remainder will become too dry to use. One person can generally apply about one cubic foot of mortar in 90 minutes.

Why does thinset need to slake?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The powders to hydrate with the water or a latex additive the slake time allows all the many ingredients of a cement product to start to work together absorb water liquid or latex.