ceramic tile is utilized for different places such as the flooring of the basement, kitchen, and bathroom to name a few. Ceramic is a waterproof, resilient, and easy-to-maintain flooring option that is suitable for many basement installations. However, certain precautions must be taken during and after installation to ensure the integrity of the floor. There are also risks associated with using almost any material in a low quality environment, and ceramic tile is no exception. As with most soils, water is your basement's biggest enemy. Most other flooring materials, including hardwood, laminate, or carpet, work best in basement environments when installed over a DRIcore subfloor, or slightly raised plywood or OSB on transom panels. But for tiles, the best subfloor is the cement board itself - as long as the cement board is stable and in good condition. The cement board serves as a firm mortar bed and the tiles adhere well to thin adhesives. Expansion joints in concrete, however, can cause problems because if the tile is laid over the expansion joints, movement in the slab can cause the tile installation to crack. To avoid this, uncoupling membranes can be used, which are laid on the concrete slab before laying the tiles. Cement floors should be carefully prepared before the actual installation, as the integrity of the floor will affect the entire life of the ceramic floor above. The subfloor must be leveled, sanded, and completely flat and even. If there are any dents or cracks, they should be repaired and filled with a self-leveling underlayment (SLU) compound, a mixture of dry cement mixed with water. 
If the subfloor has gaps or bulges, these may be weak spots hiding under the tile. When the uncoupling membrane is used at the same time, the ground must be leveled and repaired before laying the membrane. In a basement, installing a plywood subfloor is not a good choice for tile - even as a base for cement board - because moisture or water vapor seeping from the floor can warp and rot the wood. In most cases, the smooth concrete surface needs to be lightly scratched to give it a texture ("teeth") to which a thin tile adhesive can bond. This may be done with an electric sander and coarse sandpaper. Any resulting dust or debris should be vacuumed before laying the tile. In basements, tile is usually adhered to the cement subfloor using the same thin-bed adhesive used on plywood or cement board sheathing used on the OSB subfloor. The installer simply follows the tile and adhesive manufacturer's instructions. While professional installation is always an option, the low profile adhesive makes DIY installation possible. This is a purely personal choice, and in a basement environment, you may want to consider having a professional do the job. The tiles are so heavy that you have to carry them up the stairs yourself and carefully lay them piece by piece. Tiles will need to be cut, preferably with an electric wet saw - a tool often used by professionals. The entire installation process can take several days and must be done correctly to ensure floor strength when complete. You can only do this if you're confident in your stamina and bonding skills. 
While there are many benefits to using tile in a basement, there is one glaring problem: tile is an icy material underfoot, and this property is exaggerated by the fact that the basement is already cold. Tiles installed on concrete slabs easily transfer heat from the living space to the earth, which can make it difficult to keep the space comfortable. The best solution, although a bit expensive, is to install a radiant floor heating system on the concrete slab before laying the tiles. Two types of systems are available: Hydraulic system: Hot water circulates through plastic pipes under the ground floor. Hydraulic systems are more expensive and are generally more practical where a boiler system is already installed, which can be extended to circulate hot water under the floor. Electric pad system: The radiant coils under the floor are heated by electric current. Plastic pipes or electric coils are usually embedded in the mortar before the tiles are installed. Electrical systems are cheaper to install, but they are more expensive to operate in the long run. Both forms of radiant heating systems are highly efficient, transforming normally cool tiles into surfaces that give a delightfully warm finish to the room. Where a radiant floor system is impractical, most people simply cover tiled floors with plush rugs to create warmth and softness. A well-chosen rug can also serve as a design element in a basement living space. Basements are inherently sensitive to moisture, both due to the migration of condensation and water vapor through foundation walls and floors, and because these underground locations are susceptible to being flooded. 
Most tiles themselves are virtually impervious to water damage because the glaze is waterproof. Glazed tiles are still safe from damage even after complete and prolonged submersion in water, which is one of the reasons why tiled basements are a very good choice as flooding is a constant threat. However, if moisture seeps from the grout into the joints between tiles, it can degrade the thin adhesive used to hold the tiles in place and cause the floor to fail. The grout used to fill the joints between tiles is not naturally waterproof, so it must be sealed to prevent moisture from seeping in. Finally, moisture can also cause mold and mildew to grow in the grout line unless it is sealed. Therefore, basement tile installations should be treated with a good quality waterproof sealer to create an invisible waterproof layer over the tile and grout. This will prevent any liquid from seeping into the grout line or any cracks in the tile. For terracotta tiles and other types of ceramic or unglazed stone, this level of sealer is more important. This sealing layer must be reapplied regularly - every six to twelve months. If this seal is intact, it will protect the floor and prevent damage even if the floor is completely submerged. In many cases, tiled basement floors that have been submerged in water for weeks remain unscathed once the floodwaters recede and the floors are cleaned. 
If your tile is flooded, remove the standing water as soon as possible and wipe it up. Water left in the basement can cause mold problems later. When it comes to mold and mildew, tile floors are less of a problem than drywall, trim, and furniture. Open all windows and use fans to circulate moist air out of the space. Dehumidifiers can also be used to remove lingering moisture from the air. Next, determine the extent of tile and grout damage, if any. If grout lines are damaged, they may begin to dissolve and disintegrate. Dissolved grout can be removed with a grout saw and replaced with fresh grout when the entire area is completely dry again. If the water penetration is very heavy, the thin adhesive under the tile may start to come off. This will require you to remove, clean, and replace the affected floor section.
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