How to Install a Soap Dish in Tile
- 1). Lay out the tiles and the soap dish on the floor nearby in a dry-fit with no mortar. Make adjustments in the tile pattern to accommodate the soap dish and mark any tiles to be cut with the straight edge and pencil. Cut the tiles with a tile saw and return them to double-check that the soap dish fits well.
- 2). Install the wall tiles in the pattern already determined, leaving a space empty for the soap dish. Allow the tile mortar to cure for 24 hours.
- 3). Apply a thin layer of thinset mortar to the back of the soap dish in a process called back-buttering. This will ensure even coverage of adhesive over the back of the soap dish. Press the soap dish into place in the wall. If the soap dish is heavy and inclined to pull out, use painter's tape to anchor the soap dish to the surrounding tile until the mortar can cure.
- 4). Apply a bead of caulk around the edge of the soap dish where it meets the wall tile. This will help the soap dish flex in case of house settlement, rather than cracking the grout around it. Grout the rest of the wall tile at the same time.