- 1). Install cement board on the wall frames in the shower alcove starting at the top of the shower base. Place the bottom edge of the cement board panels 1/4 in. above the flange on top of the shower base rim. Leave 1/8 in. gaps between the panels.
- 2). Drive 1 1/4 inch screws through the cement board and into the wall frame studs. Mark the location of the studs with a pencil and ruler prior to driving in your screws for easier application. Install cement board on all three walls surrounding the shower. Cut the cement board to the proper size by marking it with a pencil and dry wall ruler, scoring it with a razor and snapping the board by hand along the scored line.
- 3). Slide 1/4-in. wood shims between the edge of the cement board and top rim of the shower base, after the cement board is installed on the walls, so the cement board does not slide down onto the shower base rim.
- 4). Seal the seams of the cement board with the tape and then by spreading latex fortified mortar over the seams with a hand trowel. Let the mortar dry for 24 hours and afterward remove the shims.
- 5). Mix grout for the wall tiles with a hand trowel in a 5-gallon bucket. Spread the grout onto the cement board at the bottom along the edge of the shower pan, in 3-ft.-square patches. Press tiles into the grout adding 1/16 in. spacers between each tile. Continue to tile the entire shower area in this way.
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