How to Tile a Bathroom Floor

Tiling a bathroom floor can be difficult and can look awful if installation is done incorrectly. New tile adds life to an old bathroom and gives it a fresh look, without changing any other items. Most homeowners choose ceramic tile for their bathrooms. The following steps will help you tile a bathroom floor.

Things You'll Need

• Damp rag
• Rubber grout float
• Water
• Sponge
• Sealer
• Pry bar
• Putty knife
• Ceramic tile
• Mortar mix
• Trowel
• Water-cooled tile saw or wet saw

Instructions

1. Remove the commode first. Make sure you turn off the water valve and empty the toilet by flushing it first. Then loosen and remove the nuts that hold the toilet to the floor.

2. Pry off the molding around the base of the wall and the currentl flooring.

3. Lay out your tile in the desired pattern. Use cardboard to set the design first so you will have the center square.

4. Mix the mortar with enough water to do a small section of your tile. Use the flat edge of your trowel to lay the mortar down on the bathroom floor. Then use the trowel's notched edge to create uniform ridges.

5. Place the tiles on the bathroom floor in the desired pattern. Put a little pressure on each tile as you lay it on the mortar so it will stick. Use a vinyl spacer in between the tiles to keep a uniform space.

6. Apply the grout with a rubber grout float and water. Use the float to push the grout into the crevices between the tiles and then scrape off the excess while holding the float at a 45-degree angle. Once the grout has dried to a haze, use a wet sponge to wash off the excess grout.

7. Apply a sealer after a few days to give the mortar and grout time to completely set.

Tips & Warnings

• If there is adhesive left on the sub-floor after the old flooring is removed, you will need to scrape it off with a putty knife.

• Let the mortar dry completely before applying the grout.

• Use quick-setting mortar to get the job done faster. Mortar will dry in about two hours so you have less down time with your bathroom. However it also means you have to work quickly or it will dry too fast.

• Measure and cut any odd-shaped tiles. These will mostly be around the wall, any furniture in your bathroom and the commode. Use a water-cooled tile saw or wet saw for this.

• Make sure you stuff a damp rag into the hole where the toilet goes so no sewer gas escapes and makes you ill.

• Do not do lay more than six feet of new tile at one time or the mortar will set too fast.

• When applying the grout, make sure not to use the grout float flat or you will scrape out the grout you just applied.

• Do not do more than six feet at one time or the mortar will set too fast.

Resources

• Buy ceramic tile