Replacing accent tile in shower?

4 years ago

I’m buying a house with a bathroom that has been recently remodeled, and it’s pretty nice, but I can’t stand the accent tile they did in the shower.

I’d love to replace the tile with something a little more simple, like a marble look hexagon mosaic. From what I’ve seen online, I would need to grind away the grout using a Dremel a grout blade and then chip away at the individual mosaic pieces.

My main worry is will this affect the waterproofing behind the tile and can that be repaired or “re-waterproofed”?

Featured Answer

PRO

Creative Tile Eastern CT

4 years ago

Option. Tile directly over the existing accent. Select your new mosaic and a solid pencil liner to use vertically at each edge. Shower base to ceiling. First tape off the area to be covered with a product such as this. https://www.mapei.com/us/en-us/products-and-solutions/products/detail/eco-prim-grip

No risk to waterproofing. No demolition.

Cost and disruption is minimal.

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Comments (11)

User
4 years ago
Yes, you are very likely to penetrate the waterproofing layer doing that.
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
4 years ago
Personally, I'd leave it alone until you're ready to redo the whole thing. But if you're bent on this, did the previous owners leave any extra marble tile? If so, I'd just make the whole shower the same marble.

Not sure how feasible this is, without piercing the waterproof membrane. If that happens, be prepared to scrap the whole shower and start over.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
As accents tiles go, that one is tailored and looks pretty good. Maybe paint the walls in the bathroom to get a different appearance.
eld6161
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
i agree that you can't remove it without compromising the water proofing.

It might not be what you would install, but is certainly not offensive.

And, it's a bathroom. I bet you will get complements on it.

That said, it's your home and if it's within budget, redo it.

My personal take is that I would more likely invest in changing a new kitchen as it is public space where everyone congregates.
olychick
4 years ago
If you dislike it enough to consider redoing the whole shower so that the waterproofing isn't compromised, I'd be looking into painting that tile. It can be done, but I'm sure the results vary. If you get a look you can live with, then you won't have to tear it out. If you don't like the results, well, you were planning on redoing it anyway and you are no worse off, but for some paint and labor. I'd probably paint the trim area all a dark grey.
kandrewspa
4 years ago
Do you like the floor? If the tile in the shower stall isn't anywhere else in the bathroom you could just retile the whole shower. If you can leave everything else alone that's not too bad a financial hit. The floor will go with at least several different kinds of tile.
olychick
4 years ago
That's why they call you Creative Tile!! ^^^^
la_la Girl
4 years ago
If i can’t live with something i paint it to buy me a few years until i can do the project properly - almost anything can be painted with the right prep work and paint - people will say it won’t last but it doesn’t need to…
Beth H. :
4 years ago
can't even really see the accent tile. this the best picture you have?

you might be able to stain the grout a white color that blends w/the tile. try grout renew.

otherwise, I'd wait and redo the entire shower. don't really care for any of it. looks like a flip shower.
acm
4 years ago
Agree that you can't really take out some tile without redoing all tile. Only you know if that's worth the cost and time...