How to Prepare a Mortar Bed for Tile
Tile is an attractive flooring that comes in many styles and sizes. It's installed using a thin-set mortar mix. The mortar comes in a chalky powder form that is mixed with water until it has the same consistency as peanut butter. Applying mortar to a subfloor is fairly easy if you use a notched trowel. The notches in the trowel evenly spread the mortar, giving you a level surface for your tiles. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- 6-foot level
- Marker
- Self-leveling floor compound
- Vacuum cleaner
- Thin-set mortar
- Bucket
- Electric drill
- Paddle mixer
- Notched trowel
- Tiles
Instructions
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1
Check the subfloor for any low spots using a six-foot level. Move the level around the subfloor and mark any spots that dip more than 1/8 inch with a marker. Fill them with a self-leveling floor compound. Let the compound dry and clean the subfloor using a vacuum cleaner.
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2
Find the center of the room by locating the center of each of the four walls. Snap two chalk lines, connecting the center points of both sets of walls that face each other. Mark the center, which will be your starting point for the floor and a reference point while laying the tiles.
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3
Don a dust mask and fill a 5-gallon bucket 1/4 of the way with water. Slowly pour the thin-set mortar mix into the bucket until the water begins to thicken up. Begin mixing the mortar using a paddle mixer on an electric drill and continue slowly adding more mortar as you mix. When the mortar is the consistency of peanut butter, stop mixing and allow it to set for five minutes. Recheck the consistency and add more powder if needed.
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4
Spread thin-set mortar on the subfloor using a notched trowel. Use a trowel that is specified for the size of tiles you are using (see References)--the deeper the notches, the bigger the tiles. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and drag it over the mortar to evenly spread it. Work in 4-square-foot areas at a time, as thin-set will begin to harden up after 20 minutes. You need enough time to set the tiles and make sure they're level before the 20-minute mark.
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5
Complete the floor following the same process and let the mortar set up for at least 24 hours before stepping on the tiles or applying grout.
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