Installation of porcelain tile is very important to have clean-lined flooring. A tile installation creates a beautiful, durable, and easy-to-clean floor. Laying tiles can be a daunting job, but you can do it with a little preparation and time. Learn how to lay bathroom floor tiles and grout tiles. There are several ways to lay tiled floors. We'll show you how to lay floor tiles in your bathroom using one of the methods below, but always follow the tile manufacturer's instructions on how to lay the floor and any applicable building codes. apply to your work. Installing shower wall tiles or bathtub tiles is not the same as laying floors, so even if you have done one of these projects before, review the installation steps for these tiles before laying your floors. Installing a tiled floor can take several days. In addition to removing the existing floors and installing the tiles, it takes time for the fine mortar to set and the grout to dry, so you won't be able to walk on the floor right away. Be beyond any doubt to schedule the time you would like. The most important step in installing tile is to properly prepare the subfloor. For this project, we started with bare floors in a new bathroom. If you are removing old tile, you will need to trim the old tile and use a scraper to remove the old mortar. Removing existing tiles can get dusty. Shield adjoining rooms, make sure you have good ventilation and wear proper safety equipment, such as safety goggles and face shields. In an existing bathroom, you will also need to remove the toilet and the plinth, and you may need to remove the bathroom vanity. The main thing you are looking for is a level or even a sub-floor. If you have any depressions, you can fill them in with a leveling compound. Before you start, make sure you have enough tiles to do the job. Measure the width and length of your bathroom and multiply the measurements to get your square footage. Add another 10% to get extra for damaged or wrong tiles. Use our tile calculator for a quick estimate. The thin-set mortar is the adhesive that holds the tiles to the floor. Typically, you'll see it called Thinset. We will also be using Thinset to attach the tile membrane to the floor and our tiles to the membrane. The membrane we used in this project is an uncoupling membrane that allows for expansion and contraction under the tile without cracking the floor. For this project, we used an unmodified thin-set mortar, but if you are not using an uncoupling membrane and you are installing the tile over a cement backing, you will need to use a modified thin-set mortar, which is a polymer. Mortar can improve bond strength.
- Lay out your membrane with fleece side down, and mark the subfloor around the edges of the film so you know where to lay the thin layer. Use a utility knife to cut any pipe.
- Blend unmodified thin layers. You'll know it's the right consistency when you can pull the trowel out and the ridge stays straight. Work one section at a time so that the thin layer does not dry out before installing the membrane. Using the smooth side of the trowel, apply a thin coat to the floor, evenly covering the entire surface. At that point utilize the notched side of the trowel to comb the mortar.
- Roll the membrane out and use a wooden trowel to press it into a thin layer. Continue to work in sections applying the mortar, then the membrane.
- To waterproof the seams, use waterproof tape. Apply a few thin coats to the membrane, then use a trowel to press the tape into it, making sure you have at least 2 inches of overlap at each seam. Cover joints between sections of membrane and along walls. If your bathroom has finished walls, you can seal along the walls with caulk or a sealer designed for your membrane instead of tape.
- Next, mark the guides for the tiles. Start by measuring two opposite walls and draw a chalk line between the center points. Then do the same with the remaining walls. This will give you a starting point. You can spray the chalk with hairspray to help it stay on the membrane.
- Dry the tiles to check your layout and use tile spacers to ensure the expansion gap is correct. Leave a 1/4" gap along the outside edge for expansion. Mix tiles from different boxes to help keep the color consistent throughout the room. If you notice small tiles at one end, you can drag the layout on the side to widen the edge tiles. If you change the layout, don't forget to mark the new guides.
- Blend more of the unmodified thin mix to a peanut butter consistency. Starting from the center, apply the mortar evenly, taking care to fill the cavities of the membrane. As before, work one section at a time before laying the tile to prevent the sheet from drying out. Use the serrated edge of the trowel to comb the mortar at a 45 degree angle.
- Place the first tile on the reference line in the center of the room and twist it slightly while pressing down to ensure a complete bond. Install the tiles along the guidelines, placing spacers between each tile. For a few tiles, pull one up to ensure full contact with the sheet. Alternatively, butter the back of the tile - apply mortar to the back of the tile - for more coverage.
- Use a damp sponge to remove thin layers from the tile surface. Occasionally check high spots with longer levels and gently level them with a rubber mallet. Keep in mind to take off a 1/4" gap at the edge of the room. You will also need 1/4" clearance around all pipes.
- When you need to cut tiles, tile cutters make simple cuts. You can cut curves with handheld tile nippers, while a tile hole saw is great for punching holes. If you are going to be doing a lot of cutting, you can use a wet tile saw, which can shorten the cutting job.
- After laying the tile, allow the thin layer to dry for 24 hours before grouting.
After finishing the project, it is time to know How to Grout Tile:
- Remove the spacers between the tiles, use a rubber float to press the grout into the joint, then pull the grout diagonally to remove the excess. Wait about 20 minutes, then wipe the grout lines with a damp sponge and water.
- Once the grout is in place, you should usually wait 72 hours before walking on the floor, but check the manufacturer's recommendations for details. You can use a grout degreaser to remove any haze left on the tile surface.
- Apply silicone sealant to the expansion joint. After three weeks, you can use a grout sealer to help protect the grout. Install baseboards and quadrant dies. When moving from room to room, install transition strips as needed to cover floor joints, especially from tile to another type of floor.