Tile Installation Prep Tips
For the success and longevity of tile installation, you will need a solid base. Unless you are dealing with new construction, this often means removing the old flooring before installing the new tile.
Ceramic and porcelain must be laid on a clean, level, and rigid floor. If your floor flexes in any way or has uneven areas, repair and add support as and where required. Follow up with a cement board or fiber cement underlayment.
Map out your installation. Locate the center of a room, and use these points to snap a chalk line across. Do the same on the other walls, thus creating a perpendicular line, and check to make sure they are square.
Dry fit your tiles starting from the center point, and remember to leave sufficient room for grout joints. The aim is to work with as many full tiles as you can, so fewer cuts are needed.
Installation
Start by laying the tiles from the center of the room, using your reference lines as a guide.
Spread thin-set with the notched edge of your trowel, larger tiles will require more thin-set and a larger trowel.
As you begin to lay your tile, use plastic spacers to make sure you have straight grout lines. As you will be removing these before the thin-set has time to fully cure.
Clean up any excess thin-set immediately. After a few rows are installed, set them with a tile level and mallet.
As you reach the perimeter, cut and adjust the tiles needed to finish the tile installation.
Once all the tiles have been laid, leave it for 24 hours, then grout with the color of your choice.
If you would like information about the services and products T.G. Installations has to offer you, and if you live in or around the Norman, OK area, please do not hesitate to contact us at (405) 451-2574 today.