Ceramic floor tile is a nice addition to any room of the house. Do-it-yourselfers will enjoy this addition to their floors because it will add a new dimension to each room where it is laid. The process of tile installation, as with any project like this, goes smoother by using the proper tools necessary to get the job done correctly. Rent a wet saw to cut the tile as this will yield the best result in the cut edges.
Fill any cracks with a crack suppression product as directed to by label of the product. Thoroughly clean the surface of the concrete slab to remove oil and dirt that will hinder the thin set mortar to bond with the tile.
Laying It Out
Mark the center of the slab by pulling a chalk line diagonally across the slab from corner to corner. Do this from the other corner to corner to create a large “X” on the floor. Place one tile where the lines intersect in the middle of the room. Adjust the tile so that each corner of the tile is on a chalk line. Draw a line around the four sides of the tile to mark the first tile. From this mark you can draw lines to represent the locations of the next tiles.
Mixing It Up
Mix the thin set mortar according to the instruction on the label. Spread only the mortar with the mortar trowel that you can cover with tile before it dries. Be certain there is a good bed of mortar underneath the tiles to prevent them from breaking. A good practice here is to place enough mortar on the floor so that it oozes out around the edges of the tiles when you place the tile on it. Use the excess mortar on the next tiles.
Spacing It Out
Tile spacers come in different sizes and are in direct proportion to particular tile sizes. Once you have determined the size of the spacers needed for your tiles, insert them between the tiles to create a grout line. Lay all the full pieces of tile first and allow the mortar to dry. Use a wet saw to cut the needed tiles to complete this phase of the project. Chip the small pieces of the tile that the wet saw could not cut with tile chippers.
Mixing Up Again
Mix the grout according to the directions on the label. Use a grout float to force the grout between the tiles in the space created by the spacers. Remove the spacers as you work the grout. Spread small amounts of the grout at a time so you can clean the excess grout up before it dries. Clean the excess grout up with a sponge and clean water, wringing the sponge often. Allow the residue left behind to dry to a haze and polish it with a soft clean cloth. Seal the grout with grout sealer after the grout has cured.
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