How to Lay Floor Tile in a Bathroom

Tile is one of the most durable flooring choices available today. It's easy to clean and not too difficult to install. Tiling can be done by most homeowners with the patience to take the time to do the job correctly. It may take a few days to complete this project.

Things You'll Need

• Cement backer board (for wood subfloors)
• Utility knife
• Cement Screws
• Power screwdriver
• 4 foot level
• Rubber Mallet
• Cardboard
• Wax pencil
• Tile
• Measuring tape
• Wet saw
• Thin set
• 4 inch notched trowel
• Spacers
• Grout
• Grout float
• Grout sponge
• Bucket
• Grout sealer
• Rags

Instructions

1. Remove the toilet from the bathroom and prepare your subfloor. If you have a concrete floor, make sure it is level. High areas can be sanded or ground out and low areas can be brought up to level with a floor leveler, if needed. If you have a wood floor, you will need to install a cement board before you can tile.

2. Measure and cut the cement board to cover the entire floor. The cement board and the cement must come right up to the toilet flange. Cut the board with a sharp utility knife on the mesh side, then bend, cut or snap the piece off. Screw the cement board down to the floor with the cement screws drilled into the floor joists. Add additional screws into the wood subfloor. You should have a screw every 6 to 8 inches.

3. Mix thin set according to the manufacturer's directions and allow it to set for 10 to 15 minutes. Start at the wall furthest from the door and work your way out of the room. Scoop some thin set out and place it on the cement board with your trowel. Spread out a section and using the notched side of the trowel at a 45-degree angle, trowel out enough to lay 4 to 6 tiles.

4. Start laying the tile and work toward the area that will least be noticed. This way your cut tiles will not be seen as much. Put your first tile down and then place one next to it. Put a spacer between the two and push the second tile up to the spacer. Push the tiles down into the thin set slightly. Go back and then lift up the first tile to make sure you are getting the entire bottom covered. You will see ridges from the notches in the trowel, but you shouldn't have any large gaps. Continue laying the tile and spacers until you come to the end of the row. Measure for the last tile and transfer the measurement to a tile. Cut the tile using a wet saw and install.

5. Start the second row by troweling on more thin set and laying a tile. This time you will need a spacer between the first and second row and between each tile. As you move along with the tile, place a 4 foot level on the floor and make sure you're getting them all on level. If you have one sticking up a little, tap it down with a rubber mallet. Continue until the entire floor is covered. The last row will most likely need to be cut. Measure and cut just as you did for the end of each row.

6. To cut around the flange, place a piece of cardboard over the flange where the tile will be and draw a template. Transfer to the underside of the tile. Use the wet saw to cut thin straight cuts up to the rounded edge and then chip off the slices of tile. Do not worry if the edges are not perfectly round because you won't see it when the toilet is put back on. Allow the thin set to dry overnight before you start to grout. Remove all the spacers in the morning.

7. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Allow it to set up for 10 to 15 minutes and then place some on the first couple of tiles. Push the grout into the spaces with a grout float held at a 45-degree angle. Completely fill all the spaces, and then push away any excess grout with the float. Dip a grout sponge into a bucket of clean warm water and then wring it out. Wipe down the area just going over the tops of the tile. This will smooth out the grout and remove any excess left behind. Work in the next area in the same manner until the entire floor is grouted. Allow the grout to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

8. Seal the grout with a liquid or spray on grout sealer. Liquid sealer is better for flooring but spray-on will work just as well. Pour some sealer onto the grout and spread it along the grout with a rag, or spray directly onto the grout. Allow it to dry for an hour or so and repeat with another coat. Read the manufacturer's suggestions on how many coats to use, but two or three is standard.

9. Re-install your toilet. Make sure to use a new wax ring or the toilet will leak.