How to Mix Mortar for Ceramic Tile

You can easily mix your own mortar for ceramic tile installation.

Ceramic tile makes a durable and beautiful flooring material, and it is relatively easy to install yourself. After you have selected the right ceramic tile flooring for the room and installed or cleaned a smooth cement substrate, you are ready to mix mortar for your ceramic tile installation. Mixing mortar is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some tips you should keep in mind while mixing ceramic tile mortar.

Things You'll Need

• Thin-set ceramic tile mortar (avoid quick-drying type)
• Acrylic latex additive (optional)
• Large bucket or wheelbarrow
• Trowel

Instructions

1. Choose the correct color of mortar for your application. If you will be applying a light-colored grout, choose a white thin-set mortar. For dark-color grouts, choose a gray thin-set mortar.

2. Determine the amount of thin-set mortar to mix. Thin-set mortar contains methylcellulose, which slows the drying time and gives you a chance to position the ceramic tiles properly. The mortar, however, will begin to cure in about 45 minutes, so you should only mix the amount of mortar that you can apply in that time. If you have never installed tile before, start with one-eighth of a 50-lb. bag of thin-set mortar--this will make enough mortar to cover approximately 12 square feet.

3. Consult the mortar manufacturer’s directions for the correct mortar-to-water ratio, and to see if an acrylic latex additive is required to increase the bonding strength of the mortar. Add the mortar to your mixing bucket or wheelbarrow first, and then slowly add the water to the mortar, mixing well with a trowel.

4. Use cool or cold water when mixing thin-set mortar--warm water will speed up the drying time of the mortar, giving you less time to position your tiles.

5. Mix the mortar thoroughly, until no lumps remain. The consistency of the mixed mortar should be smooth and creamy.

6. Allow the mortar to sit for 10 minutes after mixing. This resting time is necessary for the mortar to “slake,” or stiffen slightly. The stiffer consistency resulting from slaking will make the mortar easier to apply.

References

• Home Addition Plus: How to use Thinset Mortar when Installing Ceramic Tile Flooring
• Floors Transformed: Applying the Thinset Mortar