How to Install a Tile Mortar Bed

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(5 Ratings)

A mortar bed is a good underlay for tile. Consisting of roofing felt, wire mesh and mortar, it isn't recommended for an inexperienced tile layer. It takes quite a bit of skill to get it level and ready to accept tile.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Tile
Mortar
Grout
Level
Rubber mallet
Knee pads
Notched trowel
Tape measure
Tile cutter

Step 1

Measure the area to be tiled, and purchase extra tiles to allow for breakage. Estimate how much mortar you'll need. Make guidelines for your tile.
Step 2

Prepare the sub-floor, making sure it's clean and level. If there are cracks, fill them in and smooth them out.
Step 3

Lay a moisture barrier on the sub-floor and install sealant in doorways and baseboards.
Step 4

Hold the trowel at an angle. Pushing down and away, spread a thin coat of mortar evenly onto the surface on which you're laying tile, or butter the back of each tile with mortar.
Step 5

Mix mortar with one part cement and four or five parts sand.
Step 6

Trowel the mixture over the wire mesh or felt and level.
Step 7

Install the tile aligning it with your guidelines. Press the tile firmly and tap it with a rubber mallet to set the tile.

Tips & Warnings

Install the tile to the mortar bed while it's wet.
Run a coin flat along the seams with your finger to see if it snags on irregular seams. This trick helps you to see where to smooth out areas.

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