How to Lay Tile Over Cement Outside
The cement outside your home, perhaps along the walkway, can easily crack or become stained and discolored over time. To spruce up the cement's appearance, lay tiles over the top. Several supplies and a good amount of time are needed, but you will not need to call in a professional for a job you can do yourself. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- TSP (trisodium phosphate)
- Water
- Bucket
- Dowel
- Large sponges
- Level
- Concrete sealant
- Paint roller
- Grout
- Mortar
- Trowel
- Spacers
- Grout float
- Grout sealer
Instructions
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1
Combine half a cup of TSP with 2 gallons of water in a bucket. Mix with the dowel.
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2
Soak a sponge in the solution, and swipe it across the entire cement surface to remove dirt and debris. Allow about two hours to dry. Apply concrete sealant with a paint roller to prevent moisture from building up between the cement and fresh mortar.
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3
Spread mortar across one side of the area you are tiling, using the trowel. Begin in the middle of that area, and remember to work in small sections if possible to prevent the mortar from hardening before laying the tiles.
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4
Place one tile gently onto the mortar. Hold the tile along its sides, and lay it on the mortar, pressing on it gently to help it bond with the mortar. Place the level over it, and shift the tile until it is level.
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5
Place a spacer next to the first tile, and then lay the next tile. Repeat Step 3 once the first section is complete. Repeat steps 3 through 4 until the entire surface is tiled. Allow 24 hours for all tiles and mortar to dry.
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6
Remove the spacers, and then soak a sponge in warm water. Swipe the sponge across all tiles to remove hardened mortar off the top.
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7
Place grout over one large section of tiles, and spread it over the tiles and into the grooves between them, using the grout float.
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8
Wipe the grout off the tiles with the damp sponge. Allow the tiles and grout to cure for one week.
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9
Apply the grout sealer to the surface.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, a long-sleeve shirt, pants and kneepads.
References
- Photo Credit Hundertwasser Steinfliesen image by Reinalde Roick from Fotolia.com
