How to Measure Tiles to Cut Around a Shower Faucet

Cut tiles so the faucet can fit through them. Tiling your shower can help give it a new look. Tiling requires making visual estimates regarding measurements to make sure a specific tile will fit with the tiles around it and that it will accommodate shower and bath faucets as well as any controls. Make marks on the wall first to determine the lines on which you will install the tile. This will help the finished product look more professional and it will break up your wall into quadrants to break the work naturally into sections.

Difficulty:ModerateLevelPencilRulerMasticTile nippers1

Draw a level vertical line from in the middle of the plumbing. The plumbing will fall in a level straight line from the shower head to controls and then the faucet. Remove the faucet covers to make this easier.

2

Draw a level horizontal line in the middle of the wall that you plan to tile. Get the positioning by measuring the height of the wall from the lip of the top of the tub to the top of the tiled area. Divide that number in half and mark it on the wall. Draw a straight and level line.

3

Spread mastic on one quadrant and press tile working out from these lines.

4

Stop when you get to an area with a shower faucet, control or bath faucet. Because the faucets or control covers will cover some of the tile, the cuts do not need to be exact. Hold the tile up to the area so that it lines up with all of the tiles around it. Mark the area on it where it overlaps with the faucet opening.

5

Cut 1/4 inch from these lines so that the area you are cutting is slightly larger. This will ensure that it fits and prevent you from having to make another cut.

6

Cut the tile with tile nippers and press the tiles into the mastic. Repeat the process with any other tiles around shower hardware.

Always purchase extra tile in case you make the wrong cuts or if your nippers snap the tile.

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