Do you know that you can tile your floor like an expert? It sounds so surprising, right? Well, after reading through what we have for you, it will look very simple and interesting to you. Laying floor tiles requires preparation and understanding of various materials and tools for an excellent job. Floor tiles range from clay, natural stone to ceramics. Firstly, before tiling your floor, here are some basics for a smooth take-off.
Tile spacer
Measuring tape
Chalk line
Grout float
Wet saw
Notched trowel
Sponge
Tile
Grout
Thinset
Tile underlayment
Tile and grout sealer
Grout release agent
Substrate
The following steps will help you do an excellent floor Tiling:
A substrate is a material the tile will fasten. There are different types of substrates for floor tiling. Some of them are concrete, cement board, plywood, drywall, and mortar. In most cases, concrete seems to be the most suitable substrate for floor tiling. So, when tiling on concrete, the cement should be clean and dry.
The floor the tiles will be installed should have moisture surface. The surface of the substrate should be slightly rough. You may use sanding or water-seal priming to roughen it. Similarly, plywood can also be used as a substrate. However, plywood should be used in dry and well-ventilated areas. The thickness of the substrate should be 5/8 inch.
Begin by measuring the floor. Divide the floor into quadrants to help you know exactly where to start tiling. You may start tiling from the end of the centre point. Do a dry run to confirm the layout before applying the mastic, and the floor tiles. Make appropriate adjustments where necessary for an excellent layout. Use plastic spacers between the tiles as you layout enough tiles to reach the wall.
Usually, a power wet saw or manual snap cutter to are used for cutting floor tiles. A wet saw uses a water-cooled blade to cut tiles smoothly. A snap cutter is also used to cut tiles since it is good for thin tiles and smaller jobs. The snap cutter has a scoring wheel that is used to first etch a cut line. A lever press is then used to cut the floor tile along the cut line.
Use a notched trowel to spread the mastic over the layout. A trowel of ¼ inch notches is suitable for smaller tiles of less than 8 inches, while ½ inch notch is suitable for larger tiles. Begin at the layout lines. Press the adhesive against the floor for a perfect bond. Rake the tile adhesive with the trowel to create a rough surface.
Start laying the tiles at the intersection of the layout lines. Patiently and carefully place the floor tiles on the mastic. Move from the centerlines out toward the wall. Use full tile at the main entry, and the short and broken tiles at the end of the wall. Use a woodblock or hammer to firmly but gently tap and place the floor tile on the mastic.
In case the tile cracks when tapping, remove the broken tiles and spray the mastic very well before placing the new tiles. Use a plastic spacer to separate the floor tiles, a level to align the tiles to ensure it balances. Remove the plastic spacer before grouting the joints.
Before you gout the joints, allow the tile adhesive to set for at least a day before grouting. Choose grout that matches the color of your floor tiles because it can stain the tiles. There are premixed and bulk grouts. Premixed grout is easier to use because it is available in different colors. You are free to choose the one that matches the color of your floor tiles.
Conclusion
Like earlier said, you can tile your floor like an expert. The above steps will make it simple for you to have a good start. The level of your preparation and willingness to try the information you gather will determine your success. Need more guidelines and quality floor tiles? Kindly send us a message for more information and a smooth deal.
