How to Lay Bathroom Floor Tile

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By writedesign
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Laying bathroom floor tile can be a tedious job.

Laying bathroom floor tile is not extremely challenging, it just takes some planning, patience and perseverance. You may be thinking of redoing the tile or flooring that is already in your bathroom, or perhaps you're starting fresh in a new home. Whatever the case, the energy it takes to lay bathroom floor tile is worth the effort - doing it yourself will save you money. Here's how to lay bathroom floor tile:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

ceramic tiles
straight edge
pencil
tile adhesive
notched trowel
tile cutter
grout
rubber float
sponge
caulk

Step 1

Remove old tiles with a chisel.

Carefully remove the old tiles from the bathroom floor with a chisel. This is the hardest part of the job!
Step 2

Use a grease cleaner.

After removing the old tiles from the bathroom floor, make sure the surface is smooth and clean. Use a grease cleaner to ensure there is no grease on the floor. Otherwise tile will not stick to it.
Step 3

Measure and cut the tile.

Measure and cut the bathroom floor tile. You can rent a wet saw (for large tiles) and/or tile cutter (smaller tiles) from a local home improvement store. Make sure you double and triple check your floor measurements before cutting or applying the adhesive. It is crucial that your measurements are correct.
Step 4

Lay the tiles on the bathroom floor as a 'dry run' (no adhesive), then pull them up when you're finished.
Step 5

Apply adhesive with the trowel.

Using the notched trowel, apply the tile adhesive to the bathroom floor. Make sure you apply the adhesive evenly. Work in a 2-3 foot area and let the adhesive sit for a few minutes before setting the floor tile in it.
Step 6

Place the tile.

Place the bathroom floor tile firmly into the adhesive (starting in the middle of the floor) and include spacers for each.
Step 7

Let the floor tile set in the adhesive overnight.
Step 8

Mix the grout

Remove the floor tile spacers and mix the grout according to the manufacturer's directions.
Step 9

Apply the grout.

Using the rubber float, apply the grout in-between the floor tiles at a 45 degree angle. Wipe off excess grout with a wet sponge.
Step 10

Wipe clean as necessary.

After about an hour, check the floor tiles for grout haze and wipe them clean as necessary.
Step 11

Seal edges with caulk.

Seal the edges near the bathtub, toilet, sink and cabinets with mildew resistant caulk.
Step 12

Mop it clean.

Let the bathroom floor tile cure for a week and then mop it clean.
Step 13

See the Resources listed below for more tiling ideas.