Things You'll Need:
- Quick-setting leveling compound
- Outdoor canopy tent
- Tile
- Tile spacers
- Quick-set grouting compound
- Quick-set mortar
- Measuring tape
- Hose
- Tile cutter
- Chalk line tool
- Trowel with toothed and smooth edges
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Mixing stick
- Mixing bucket or tray
- Power washer
- Broom
- Level
- Chalk
- Weather forecast
-
Step 1
Check the weather forecast online or on the television. The temperature must remain above 50 degrees for 24 hours (ideally, for 72 hours) and there must not be any heavy rain for the next 24 hours (ideally, for 72 hours).
-
Step 2
Powerwash the concrete pad or floor that will be tiled to remove mold, dirt and debris. Allow the floor to air dry.
-
Step 3
Erect an outdoor canopy tent or rent a party tent (for larger areas) and place this over the surface that will be tiled to prevent leaves and debris from falling onto the work area. The canopy also will provide shade, preventing the sun from interfering with the drying of the mortar, leveling compound or grout.
-
Step 4
Run a level over the floor and use chalk to delineate any significant dips that will need to be filled in with leveling compound.
-
Step 5
Mix quick-setting leveling compound in a mixing bucket and stir with a mixing stick until smooth. Then, using the smooth edge of the trowel, apply the leveling compound to the areas delineated in Step 4. Allow the leveling compound to set for a period of 24 hours (unless otherwise indicated for the particular product.)
-
Step 6
Re-check the weather forecast before proceeding, to ensure that the temperature will remain above 50 degrees for the next 24 hours. Also, there cannot be any significant rainfall for the next 24 hours.
-
Step 7
Hose down the area to be tiled after the leveling compound sets to remove dust. Allow the area to air dry.
-
Step 8
Measure out the center point of each edge of the area that's going to be tiled and mark the point with chalk.
-
Step 9
Extend a chalk line string across the area that will be tiled using the center point marks. Snap the chalk line string to create the chalk line and repeat to create a perpendicular line. This will create an "x" at the center of the area that will be tiled.
-
Step 10
Place a tile spacer on the "x" and place four tiles around the spacer.
-
Step 11
Mix quick-set tiling mortar in a bucket, slide two of the tiles aside and apply a thin coat of mortar to the unfinished floor surface using the toothed edge of the trowel.
-
Step 12
Replace the two tiles and the tile spacer and sink them into the mortar slightly. Use the other two tiles as a guide, and then repeat the process of applying mortar under the other two tiles to create the four tiles at the very center of the room.
-
Step 13
Tile the area using the aforementioned method moving from the center of the room out toward the edges. The process of applying mortar and positioning the tiles must be done very quickly if the temperature is above 75 degrees, as it will set very quickly. Near the edge of the room, a tile cutter may be required to cut tiles to size.
-
Step 14
Re-check the weather forecast for a final time to ensure that the temperature will remain above 50 degrees for the next 24 hours. Also, there cannot be any rainfall whatsoever for the next 24 hours.
-
Step 15
Allow the mortar to set for 24 hours and then hose down to remove dust and debris. Allow the area to air dry.
-
Step 16
Mix grouting compound in a mixing bucket or tray and apply the grout to the spaces between the tiles using the smooth edge of the trowel. Swipe the trowel diagonally across the space between the tiles to work the grout into place.
-
Step 17
Use a wet rag and move quickly to wipe away the excess grout from the tile surface. If the grout begins drying on the tile surface, dampen the tile with a spray bottle.
-
Step 18
Avoid walking on the tile for 24 hours. At the end of this time period, the canopy can be removed.
