Installing tile can really help to finish off a room and make it beautiful. What can you do if the wall is uneven? Can you still install the tile?
Installing tile on an uneven surface is possible. You can use a method known as back buttering to make the tile even. It is also possible to follow the contour of the wall with mosaic tile.
Obviously, if you are trying to tile a wall, you want it to turn out perfectly. Any issues with the wall behind the tile are going to show up and it will make it look as if you didn’t prepare the surface properly.
As you will see in this article, it doesn’t have to be difficult to get things ready so that you can tile a wall successfully. The real key is to choose the method you plan on using and then use it.
Can You Put Tile On Uneven Wall? (How To)
That being said, there are not going to be walls in any home that are perfectly flat. There are some that do a pretty good job of being flat but there are always going to be imperfections.
As a general rule, if you have a fluctuation of 1/4 inch in 10 feet, that is going to show up in the tile in some way or another. If you find that that is the case for you, then you need to plan in advance to get things done properly.
You should also ensure that you are taking the proper safety precautions when tiling the wall. Regardless of whether the wall is even or not, protect your eyes, fingers, and lungs by wearing the proper PPE.
You should also realize that tiling the wall is not something that needs to be done quickly. Unless you are using some type of quick drying mastic, you will have the time to work with the tile and make sure that it works out properly for you.
Fortunately, most tiles do not have any type of harmful chemicals that will be a problem while you are installing them or cutting them. It is still a good idea to use a respirator and to ensure that you are using a non-toxic adhesive that is low in, or free of VOCs.
Should You Put Tile On Uneven Wall?
We’ve already covered the fact that you can tile an uneven wall. Now we will discuss some of the issues that are associated with doing so. It will help you to make the choice if you should proceed with the tile job.
Cracked Tile – This is not often going to be a problem but it can be an issue in some cases. When you tile a wall, you’re not necessarily putting a lot of weight on the tile but there can still be cracks over time if you don’t have an even wall behind it.
This issue is typically overcome by preparing the wall in advance or by back buttering the tile so there are no gaps behind it. When you do this, it will make a difference in the quality of the work.
Uneven Tile – The biggest problem that you will have if you have an uneven wall is the tile will be uneven. Even a slight deviation in the wall can make it difficult to get the tile to line up properly. The issue will often be increased in the look of the tile.
Again, back buttering is one way to overcome this issue. You can also try to prepare the wall in advance by skimming it so you don’t have any uneven issues associated with it.
Surprise Issues – Quite honestly, it is sometimes difficult to tell if a wall is completely even or not. You can try to run a long straight edge or level over the wall but you may have a low or high spot that shows up out of the blue. If that is the case, simply use some additional mastic to back butter the tile and ensure that it overcomes the issue successfully.
What Tools Do You Need To Put Tile On Uneven Wall?
Preparation is the key to success and one thing that needs to be prepared is getting all of the tools you need in advance. Here is a short list of tools that are needed so you can get started with this job:
6 Foot Level
4 Foot Level
Notched Trowel
Utility Knife
12 Inch Taping Knife
Pencil
Wet Saw
Tile Nipper
Rubber Mallet
Drill with Mixing Paddle
Grout Float
Screwdrivers
Hammer
Grout Sponges
Rags
5 Gallon Buckets
Five in One Tool
As you are gathering tools, you are likely to find some that you use for almost every project. These tend to be our go-to items and they should be included in the list.
What Preparations Do You Need To Install Tile On Uneven Wall?
After you have your tools together, it is time to prepare the wall and the project so it will go as smoothly as possible.
Patch – Use spackling compound to fill any cracks or holes and sand them smooth. Preferably, you should use a sponge and water to wet sand the wall.
Skim – This is not going to be something you will do for every project but at times, you may find that skimming the wall is the best choice. This is done with a 12-inch taping knife and some thinned drywall compound. Float the wall to make it level. You might find that hammering in a few high points helps to get the job done better.
Clean – It is always better to clean the wall and the entire area before you begin tiling. Working in a clean area is not only easier, but it is also less likely to be a problem that will delay you in the process.
Prime – Finally, use a high-quality primer to seal the wall. This may seem like an extra step, but when you prime the wall and allow it to dry, it will make a better surface for the tile to be installed.
How To Install Tile On Uneven Wall
Installing tile on an uneven wall is not difficult to do but it does require that you use one of two different methods. Here are those methods for your consideration.
1. Back Buttering:
This is a relatively easy way to keep tile straight and flush when you have an uneven wall. Essentially, you are applying mortar to both the wall and to the back of the tile to get things to work well.
The real key to back buttering something successfully is to use extra mortar and not simply as much as you need. When you put the mortar on the wall, you will likely be using a notched trowel but if you have some extra space because the wall is uneven, you should scrape additional mortar on the back of the tile itself.
This process is done to even out the surface. You don’t want to back butter only a single tile to fix an area that is lower. You should be back buttering most of the tiles so that you are spreading out the defect in the wall over a wider range.
When you spread out the defect in such a way, it makes it easier for you to get a nice, even tile job that looks great. If you try to squeeze it into only a small area, you’re likely to run into problems where the defect simply shows up in the tile itself.
2. Beating in:
This is not always a technique that is used but it is one that can work quite well if you have an uneven wall. It is similar to back buttering but rather than putting extra mortar on the back of the title, you are simply putting it on the wall itself.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on September 26, 2022.
You start by applying a thick layer of mortar across the entire wall. You can focus on the areas that require the adjustment more than others, but it’s better to spread things out as wide as possible so you are not focusing on a single area.
When you are applying this thicker layer of mortar, you are essentially creating a flat surface behind the tile. When you put the tiles in place, you will have some ability to go higher or lower, depending upon the need.
After applying the tiles to the wall, take a large board and put it across several tiles, and use a rubber mallet to beat the tiles into place. That is where the ‘beating in’ name comes from.
Be careful that you don’t crack any of the tiles while doing this. In addition, if you find that any of the tiles are loose because pockets are formed behind them, you should remove that tile and back-butter it before putting it back in place.
You may find that some of the mortar comes out from between the tiles and that is okay. Just clean things up and make sure you leave some space between the tiles for the grout to stick.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on September 26, 2022.
If you have an uneven wall, you can install tile but you need to either back butter the tile or apply a thick layer of mortar so you can beat the tiles into place. In either case, you can have a flat wall without overly preparing the wall in advance.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on September 26, 2022.