How to Lay Tile Flooring on Cement Floors Using Glue Instead of Mortar
When installing a new ceramic tile floor on a concrete slab, using a latex or acrylic tile adhesive is a strong, efficient alternative to traditional thinset mortar. Tile adhesives have the advantage of material consistency because they come premixed and eliminate the irregularity that often occurs in mixing mortar with water. Available at tile suppliers and most building supply stores, coverage is easy to estimate and cleanup is quick and easy. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Chalk line
- Builder's level
- Framing square
- Knee pads
- Safety glasses
- Notched trowel
- Tile spacers
- Ceramic tile
- Tile cutter or saw
- Tile grout
- Sponge trowel
- Grout sponge
- Small water bucket
- Clean cotton rags
Instructions
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1
Insure that the concrete floor area to be tiled is free of dirt. Mark the first tile guide line on the floor by measuring the length of the room and chalking a line on the floor perpendicular to the length at the middle point. Use a framing square to insure the line is square to the adjacent walls.
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2
Measure the width of the room and repeat Step 1 to mark a chalk line the middle of the room, this time perpendicular to the width. You now have the room divided through the middle and have established four equal squared areas.
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3
Dry set a row of full tiles, including spacers, over the lengths of both lines. Hold the end of the row flush with one wall. When the row is in place and flush with the chalk line established in Steps 1 and 2, measure the remaining distance to the wall to determine how much you need to shift the two rows of tile to make them an equal distance from the wall at each end.
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4
Mark the floor at each end of the adjusted rows of tile and set chalk lines at these marks parallel with the adjacent walls. Use a framing square at each room corner to insure the chalk lines are square to each other.
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5
Install tile on the wall length opposite the doorway into the room. Lay out about 2-feet of tile adhesive with a notched trowel, keeping the adhesive ¼-inch from the chalk lines, and spread wide enough for one row of tile along the length of the guide line. Set the full tiles in the adhesive with a little pressure to push the tile down into the adhesive. Place tile spacers at each corner and press the next piece of tile against the spacers and align with the previous tile. Check tile alignment frequently with the edge of a builder's level to insure the tile continues in a straight line.
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6
Repeat Step 5 for the next row of tiles, being careful not to shift the previous row as the tiles are pushed into place against the spacers. Be sure the tile spacers are pushed into the adhesive and do not protrude above the edges of the tile. Use a clean, dry cotton cloth to wipe excess adhesive from the spaces and surfaces of the tile.
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7
Repeat Step 6 to complete the installation of all the full tiles in the room up to the edge lines on the floor. Allow the adhesive to cure for a minimum of 24 to 36 hours before walking on the tile.
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8
Use a tile saw to cut the edge pieces of tile to within ¼-inch of the wall surface. For these pieces, the tile adhesive can be applied to the tile before installation. Be sure to press the tile down to level with the adjacent tiles. Allow the edge pieces to cure a minimum of 24 hours before applying the grout.
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9
Mix the tile grout according the the manufacturer's directions and quantity chart for the space. Work the grout into the spaces between the tiles by pushing the grout across the tiles at a 45-degree angle with a sponge trowel. Properly mixed grout should fill the space easily. Spread the grout across the tiles until all the spaces have been filled level with the tile's surface.
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10
Use a soft sponge and warm water to wipe the excess grout and haze from the tiles. Allow the grout to cure for 3 days prior to sealing.
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Tips & Warnings
To help the tile grout cure, damp-mop the new floor area with clean, warm water each day during the curing period, making certain the grout is evenly dampened during the mopping.
Be sure to wear safety glasses for all tile saw cutting.
Do not allow the adhesive that gets on the edges or surface of the tiles to dry on the tile.
References
- Photo Credit tiles image by charles taylor from Fotolia.com
