DIY Installing Floor Tiles

Do-it-yourselfers can attain a professional look.

Installing floor tiles is a perfect job for do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike. Tiling a kitchen, bathroom, or entryway will help make your home look clean and updated and will save you from the headache of cleaning dirt and water out of carpet. Getting the look of a professional tile job is easy if you take the time to do the extra preparation required. Starting is easy when you have the right information.

Things You'll Need

• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Vacuum
• Cement backer board (optional)
• Construction adhesive
• Backer board screws
• Fiber glass mesh tape
• Thin-set mortar
• Chalk line
• Notched trowel
• Tile spacers
• Grout
• Rubber float
• Sponge
• Water

Instructions

1. Remove the baseboards in the room with a pry bar and hammer.

2. Remove any debris or dirt from the subfloor, using a vacuum. Check corners and closets for dirt as well. It is important to start with a clean subfloor.

3. Apply a ½-inch cement backer board to the wood subfloor. Apply the construction adhesive to the back of the cement backer board, and screw the backer board into place with backer board screws. Tape the seams of the cement backer board with fiberglass mesh tape and thin-set mortar. If you have a level cement floor, skip this step. Cement floors that are not level can be leveled with thin-set mortar. Allow the mortar to dry before tiling.

4. Set the tile out in the floor for a dry run without mortar. This helps you visualize, and give you a better idea of how many tiles must be cut. If you will have a small strip of cut tiles on one side, adjust the tiles to one side or the other.

5. Snap a chalk line both horizontally and vertically to the straightest wall in the room. This will give you a good starting point for tiling the room.

6. Mix the thin-set mortar and apply with a notched trowel. Use a ¼-inch notched trowel to apply the mortar. First apply with the flat end of the trowel and then use the notched side to wipe away the extra mortar. Only apply the thin-set in small sections so that it does not dry before the tile can be laid.

7. Lay the tiles in place, pressing firmly on the top of each tile. Use tile spacers for even grout joints. Allow the tile to dry overnight, or 24 hours, before grouting.

8. Mix the grout and apply with a rubber float. Work the grout into the grout joints.

9. Wipe away the excess grout from the tile joints with a damp sponge. Do not wipe away too much of the grout, just the excess. Allow to dry for 24 hours before use. Reattach the baseboards once the grout is dry.

References

• Construction Videos: How to Lay Tile