After removing a tile, you might want to put a new tile in its place to cover the unsightly patch of bare wall you’ve just created
Photo by Charles 🇵🇭 on Unsplash.
Most hardware stores carry varieties of mortar for adhering your tiles to surfaces. You could get a premixed bag of ready-made mortar that you would only need to add water to, or you could mix the individual components for your own blend of mortar.
Either way, you would be getting some cement, fine river sand, and a plasticising additive to make the whole mixture thicker and stickier.
1. Mix some cement with sand in the ratio of 1:4 (one part cement combined with four equal parts of sand), a little water, and pour in some mortar latex, according to the instructions on the container.
2. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes to absorb water, and
3. when it looks stiff enough to hold some weight, put a dollop on the wall where you want to fix your tile, or on the back of the tile itself.
4. Spread the mortar out with a toothed trowel to form ridges in straight lines, which will help to minimise air bubbles. The presence of air bubbles in the mortar will reduce the surface area of the tile being involved in the sticking. This lowers the strength of adhesion, in addition to leaving some voids for water to fill and wreck the mortar.
5. Once you've placed a tile, stick bits of wood or other uniformly sized spacers in the gaps between the tiles, this helps to keep the lines looking neat. A wonky line will be an unwelcome distraction, and once that mortar has set, you would have to repeat the process of removing and replacing the tile.
Let the mortar set for 48 hours before proceeding to grout the gaps between your tiles.
If you're not keen on tiling, perhaps consider using a waterproof plaster as a finish instead.
Disclaimer
This article is intended to convey general information only. It does not constitute advice for your specific needs. This article cannot disclose all of the risks and other factors necessary to evaluate a particular situation.
Any interested party should study each situation carefully. You should seek and obtain independent professional advice for your specific needs and situation.
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