Tiles can help protect a shower ceiling.
Bathrooms are usually the most humid areas in a house. Although paint provides a durable finish on many walls and ceilings, the damp climate in a bathroom can cause paint to bubble and peel. Ceramic tile provides a durable alternative to a painted ceiling above a shower stall. Proper preparation is a necessary factor in making the tiles adhere to the ceiling.
Instructions
1. Scrape off loosened, chipped or peeling paint with a paint scraper. Hold the edge of the scraper at about a 20-degree angle with the surface of your ceiling to avoid gouging the underlying plasterboard or sheetrock. Wipe the ceiling with a dry rag to remove particles of scraped paint.
2. Sand the edges of the scraped surfaces. Use a medium-grade sandpaper to smooth down the rough edges. Wipe away the paint dust with your rag and sand a second time, using a fine-grade sandpaper to blend the edges even with the surrounding surface.
3. Wash the ceiling with a cleaning solution that contains TSP, trisodium phosphate. Scrub the solution into your ceiling with a scrub brush. Rinse off the residue using clear water. Let the ceiling dry completely.
4. Mark your ceiling even with the edge of your shower stall using a chalk line. This line provides a guide for your first strip of tiles. Starting at the outer front corner of your marked ceiling, apply a 1/8-inch layer of tile adhesive, covering an area about 2 feet by 3 feet. Use the flat side of your trowel to apply the layer, then flip your trowel over to make grooves in the adhesive with the notched edge. Apply your first tile in the corner. Press the tile firmly in place. Set tile spacers on each side of your set tile. Place a tile on each side of your first tile, snug against the spacers. Continue in this manner, working your way across the applied adhesive. When you reach the edges of the adhesive, apply another section and continue tiling. Use a tile cutter to cut the tiles to fit along the last row. Allow your adhesive to dry for about 24 hours.
5. Mix your grout compound with warm water, according to the package instructions. Apply the grout with a rubber grout float. This tool resembles a putty knife, but is soft and pliable, allowing you to do each joint quickly and easily. Wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge. Let the grout dry for two to three days before using your shower.
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