How to Lay Ceramic Tile on an Enamel Painted Floor
Ceramic tile is a wonderful addition to any flooring, and laying a ceramic tile floor is relatively easy if you have the proper tools. However, ceramic should never be laid directly over a painted surface, as the tile cement simply won't stick to the slicker paint finish, and the tiles will shift and come up in no time. This issue can be addressed with a few extra building materials and tools. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Durock backerboard
- Nail gun with concrete nails
- Ceramic tiles
- Trowel
- Tile adhesive
- Grout mixture
- Rubber mallet
- Tile cutter or glass cutter
- Tape measure or straightedge ruler
Instructions
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Preparing Floor Surface
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1
Using a high-powered nail gun filled with concrete nails, secure sheets of Durock backer board to the enamel paint-covered flooring. Durock is a cement backing designed to secure over flooring that is unfit for standard tile installation, and is available from most hardware stores. The Durock sheeting will provide a surface to affix the ceramic tiles safely, as well as support and insulation underneath the tiles. Professional nail guns are highly recommended for use, as standard hammers and nails simply won't penetrate the Durock and flooring beneath it.
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2
Cut the Durock as necessary in order to fit into the final sides and corners of the room. Take care to make proper cuts so that no area of the original flooring is left uncovered.
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3
Use a damp sponge or mop to remove gently any dust or residue from the surface of the Durock that may have accumulated during nailing. This dirt could mix in with the tile adhesive and produce uneven tiles when it comes time to lay them down.
Laying the Tiles
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Begin at one corner of the room and work outwards from there towards the opposite wall. This allows you to put down the maximum amount of full tiles possible before you have to cut any to a specific size to fit in the remaining gaps.
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Use a notched trowel to lay down a thick, even layer of tile adhesive in an area about two feet square. Working in small batches will allow you to cover a small portion of the floor at a time without having to rush to finish before the adhesive dries.
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With the adhesive laid down, begin applying the tiles. Place the first tile up against the wall and from there use your tile spacer to help as a guide to lay each subsequent tile an equal distance away from each other.
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As you lay down the tiles work them into the adhesive, making sure they sink in and grab hold of the adhesive layer.
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8
Once you near completion of the room, you'll eventually need to start cutting the final tiles to a small size to fit in the last row. Carefully measure the size needed and mark it clearly on the tile.
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With the tile on a solid surface, use a tile or glass cutter to score a deep line down the tile where you want it cut.
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Hold the part of the tile you wish to remove off the edge of the table, with the table's edge in line with the scored cut.
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Use a rubber mallet to pound down on the overhanging tile piece and it should break off cleanly along the line you cut, leaving you with a piece that will fit in the final gap on the floor.
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Once the tile has been laid, allow about 24 hours for the adhesive to set fully.
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13
Once set, use a grouting trowel to apply a uniform layer of grout across the tile surface, taking care to work the grout evenly into the gaps between each tile. You do not need a lot pressure. Try to keep equal pressure on the trowel as you work it across the floor so that the same amount of grout is dispersed into each gapped area.
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Once the grout has been applied use a wet sponge or mop to clean up the excess on top of the tiles, and then allow the grout 24 hours to dry and up to a full week to cure completely.
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