Laying Ceramic Tile – I Learned It, And So Can You
In this article I am going to cover the basics on Laying Ceramic Tile. Installing tile flooring can seem like a difficult task but I am hoping that after this article you will feel motivated to tackle the task. If I learned to do it, so can you. Not only will you save yourself a lot of money the reward of knowing you did it yourself is incomparable.
Now let’s get started.
Prepping the existing floor.
Preparation is key when laying ceramic tile. Depending on the existing subflooring you will need to prep the area accordingly. Ceramic tile needs a good bond to the material underneath.
If your subflooring is concrete you will want to ensure that the floor is level. You can fix any leveling and holes by using cement based floor leveling compound. You can pick this up at any home improvement store.
If your subflooring is plywood then you will want to take the time to install backerboard to the flooring. Backerboard is a cement board ½" inch thick. Install the board by screwing it down to the floor joist. Be sure to use the recommended screws for the backerboard to prevent corrosion.
If you are in an older house with solid wood floors you may have a problem with the solid wood floors shrinking and expanding based on the humidity levels. In this case you can try installing ½" plywood on top of the wood floors with construction adhesive and screws. Then apply the backboard, in this instance you can try using ¼" backerboard.
The Layout
To have the most visually appealing tile layout it is recommended to center the tile in the room. To do this find the center of the room by laying a midpoint line both horizontal and vertically. Where the two lines cross will be the center of the room. Now is the time to test fit the tiles. Start at the center of the room and lay the tiles, with no mortar, in both directions. When you get to the edge, where the tile meets the wall, note how big the last tile will be. You will want the last piece of tile to be less than half of a full tile. Let me explain why. If the last piece is over half you will end up cutting every piece and the waste is going to be less than half. These pieces will be useless and you will waste a lot of tile. If you find the last piece is to big try shifting your center lines.
Laying the Tile
Using a notched trowel spread the mortar on the floor covering the space for about 4 tiles. Lay the tile on mortar and space equally by using tile spacers. Be sure the entire area under the tile has mortar. Any voids under the tile will cause stress and can crack the tile. As you begin to get the hang of it you can try spreading enough mortar for 2 rows of 4 tiles. You can use a rubber mallet to gently tap the tiles; this will help seat them into the mortar. Now let the mortar fully setup before proceeding, usually 24 hours.
Grouting
After 24 hours you can begin grouting by removing the spacers used in the previous step. Using a grout float scoop some grout and work it into the gaps between the tiles. It is best to go diagonal across the joints. Once you have enough grout in the joints scrap off any excess by holding the grout float at a angle going diagonal across the joints. Be careful not to pull any grout out of the joints. Use a sponge to cleanup the tiles but be careful of the joints. Continue working this method for the remainder of the floor. After about 24 hours the grout should be dry and you can finish cleaning the tile. It is also recommended to seal the tile and grout. Follow the manufactures recommendation on applying tile and grout sealer.
Now all you have to do is enjoy the beauty of a well installed ceramic tile floor.
