On Deck? Fixing tile to walls above bath tub

[Telescopist]

Hello,

First post. Wish I had known about this forum several years ago. Here's my question.

I’ve finally got my tile floor in and am now preparing to install 11.5” x 23.5” tiles in the tub enclosure. Attached is an image of pic to GoBoard mounted on top of the tub flange. My question is whether or not to mount the tiles directly to the deck of the tub or use spacers in order to provide a degree of separation between the tub deck and the tile. I have ¼” web spacers available to use. If the prevailing view is to use these spacers, should I caulk from the tub deck to the bottom of the tile once it has set.

The tile is just posing on the tub deck.

I'd really appreciate some comments about what to do. Thanks

Dick

 

[Dan]

Fill the tub with water while you tile above it. Come down to the surface of the tub use a spacer under it so there's just enough of a gap for Silicon once it's all grouted and clean etc

 

[Telescopist]

Dan that may be tough to do. Image attached. The tub is set in mortar and screwed on all 3 flanges to the studs. You still would argue that there might be some flex?

Dick

 

[Telescopist]

Whoops. Forgot to attach the image.

 

[Dan]

Does the tub have a weak wooden very small strip around the underside of the tub behind the bath panel for example?

And is it mechanically fixed to the wall with two wall brackets that you tighten and lock the bath in place?

The frames that come with them aren't usually tough enough to only use I've found so always at least tried to fix one end and one side/length if not top and bottom and a whole side.

Otherwise the bath will move a few 16ths at least. Draw a line on the wall where it is then fill it to the overflow and see how much they warp and move; very few mass produced stuff is tough these days it's always the frame when it is solid though. Iron tubs they don't move ha

 

[Dave]

Hello,

First post. Wish I had known about this forum several years ago. Here's my question.

I’ve finally got my tile floor in and am now preparing to install 11.5” x 23.5” tiles in the tub enclosure. Attached is an image of pic to GoBoard mounted on top of the tub flange. My question is whether or not to mount the tiles directly to the deck of the tub or use spacers in order to provide a degree of separation between the tub deck and the tile. I have ¼” web spacers available to use. If the prevailing view is to use these spacers, should I caulk from the tub deck to the bottom of the tile once it has set.

The tile is just posing on the tub deck.

I'd really appreciate some comments about what to do. Thanks

Dick

Preference here in the uk is to leave a small gap and Silicon/ caulk to prevent water ingress. But i do understand methods here differ to the US. 🇺🇸

 

[Telescopist]

Hi Dave,
Sorry for the delayed response back. I've shimmed the bottom layer of tiles leading to @1/8" gap. Once I've completed tiling, I'll caulk the gap as well all corners going to the ceiling. An additional question: Would it make sense to caulk first then grout?

Dick

 

[Dave]

Hi Dave,
Sorry for the delayed response back. I've shimmed the bottom layer of tiles leading to @1/8" gap. Once I've completed tiling, I'll caulk the gap as well all corners going to the ceiling. An additional question: Would it make sense to caulk first then grout?

Dick

I prefer too yes.