- 1). Lean the base tiles against the wall, along the base of the wall and dry fit them. Leave 1/8 inch between each tile. It's necessary to leave at least a 1/8 inch gap at the inside corners too.This leaves space for natural movement of the building. If you don't leave this gap and the building heaves the tiles will press against each other and might crack from the pressure.
- 2). Trowel on mortar to the back of each base tile. Use the notched edge of the tile to cut grooves in the mortar. Set the tile against the wall and press firmly. Position two tile spacers below the tile. This allows for the movement of the building during freezing and thawing.
- 3). Use a special tile known as a double-out bullnose base tile at each of the outside corners. Butter mortar to the back of the tile with the trowel and rake grooves through it for better adhesion to the wall. Push the vertical, curved, glazed edge so it overlaps the unfinished edge of the adjoining standard base tile just around the corner. This will make for a clean, finished corner edge.
- 4). Wait until the next day to work grout between the tiles. Be sure to pull out all the tile spacers first. Put the tube of caulk in the caulk gun and run a bead of caulk along the top edge of the base tiles and along the bottom edge of the base tile. Make sure the caulk adheres to the base tile and the floor.
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