How to Install Ceramic Tile Flooring
Remodeling your home by yourself can be very rewarding, but it is important that you know how to do each project correctly so your house doesn't look like a do-it-yourself disaster. Ceramic tiles give a classy look to a room and are not difficult to lay if you follow certain guidelines. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk snap-line
- Tiles
- Thin set
- Notched trowel
- Tile cutter
- Rubber mallet
- Grout markers
- Grout
- Sponge
- Sealant
Instructions
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Make sure that your floor surface is flat and has little give to it because ceramic tiles are not flexible. Clean floors and sand them lightly. If you are laying the tiles on cement, remove all grease stains. If there are raised spots on the floor use a chisel to remove them and even out the surface.
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2
Remove baseboards. These will be replaced after tile is laid. Make sure that you have good clearance for your doors, leaving a space approximately the height of two tiles. If door does not clear the layer of tiles you will need to trim the bottom of the door.
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3
Decide where the focal point of the room is. If you have a bare wall facing the entrance, you may want to begin laying the tile against that wall for aesthetic reasons. Otherwise, the best way to begin is to use a chalk snap-line and mark a line down the center of the room and then a perpendicular line from side to side, making a cross.
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Lay the tiles in rows along each line, placing a grout marker between each one. Mix a 5 gallon bucket of thin set and smear it on the floor with a notched trowel, covering a small area. Place the tile firmly on the thin set and give it a light tap with a rubber mallet to set it in place. Use grout markers as you go to ensure uniformity in the tile layout.
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5
Use cutting tools to cut tiles to fit edges of appliances and walls. There are a variety of tools to choose from and once you have decided which type you are comfortable using, be sure to follow the directions carefully. Once you have finished laying the tiles clean the excess thin set from the tiles and let them set for 24 hours.
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Mix the grout according to manufacturer's directions. Spread grout over the spaces between the tiles and make sure the hollows are filled. Wipe away excess grouting with a damp sponge. Continue rinsing sponge and squeeze as much moisture out of it as possible. After grout has set for 10 minutes, wash the area again with the damp sponge. Let set for 10 days before sealing.
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