How to Install Ceramic Floor Tile With Fast-Setting Mortar
Installing ceramic floor tiles requires that you choose your adhesive wisely. You'll need a strong binding substance that can withstand not only the weight of the tile but the foot traffic over the tile as well. You'll also need a material that's quick to apply, allowing you to complete the entire floor while the first section is still wet enough for adjustment. Fast-setting mortar meets both needs, but with less room for error than the traditional thin-set mortar normally used with ceramic floor tiles. Due to its setting speed, you have less time for adjusting a misplaced tile. It pays to be experienced with tiling before use, or you may end up losing the time you gained by the shorter setting speed by having to rip out and replace misaligned tiles. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Large bucket
- Electric drill with paddle bit
- Notched trowel
- Ceramic tiles
- 2-by-4-inch wood plank
- Rubber-headed mallet
- Grout
- Grout float
- Sponge
- Lint-free cloth
- Tile-and-grout sealant
Instructions
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Mix the fast-setting mortar in a large bucket using an electric drill with paddle bit attachment set to between 250 and 500 RPM. Pour the mortar mix into the bucket and then add the water, mixing constantly until you reach the consistency of peanut butter.
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2
Spread the mortar onto the floor covering a section of about 4 square feet, using the flat edge of a notched trowel. Tilt the trowel to a 45-degree angle and go over the mortar with the notches on the trowel edge to create ridges in the mortar.
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Place the tiles into the mortar, wiggling them slightly into place to spread the mortar evenly onto the tile back. Space the tiles evenly by placing two pacers between adjacent tiles.
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4
Cover the entire mortared area before moving on to a new section to ensure you get the tiles in place before the mortar begins to set. Remove any excess mortar from the tile surfaces with a clean cloth.
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Place a 2-by-4 section of wood across the placed tiles and tap the wood with a rubber-headed mallet to seal the tile into place. The 2-by-4 protects the tile face from the blow of the mallet. Begin a new section of floor and repeat the process until you've covered the surface. Allow the mortar two hours drying time before grouting.
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Mix the grout in a bucket following the manufacturer's instructions with the drill and paddle bit. Remove the tile spacers and then apply the grout to the face of the tiles. Push the grout into the joints between the tiles using a grout float, filling the joints completely.
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7
Wipe the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge to clear the tile faces of the grout before it dries. Wait two hours and then wipe the surface again with a clean, lint-free cloth, removing any remaining grout residue.
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Wait 10 days for the grout to dry and then apply a layer of tile-and-grout sealant to the surface of the grout to protect the material from staining. Wait an additional 48 hours for the sealant to dry before walking on the tiles.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit PHOTO 24/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
