How do you lay floor tiles?

Answer 1

Answer Well its about getting the right products for the job. Depending on what type of project is going on but here are the basics. floor preparation. if starting on plywood there must be a subfloor for the mortar to adhere to. this can be cement backer board, the floor can be mudded with a self leveling mortar. Cement backer board is the most common use. it come in quarter to half inch thick sheets and can be cut with a razor knife (score and snap then cut), or cement sheers (dewalt has some). cover entire floor. Then buy mortar either custom building product which can be found depot, or other such as mapei or laticrete. a knotch trowel is needs (size of trowel depending on tile size). mix mortar and follow directions on the bag. mix in 5 gallon bucket with drill and mortar mixer attachment. but before this measure and see how you want to tile layed on the floor. it is good to mark with chalk, also measure two points off a wall to make sure you are square the the wall. tile spacers are a good idea. this helps leave room for the grout and keeps everytile square to each other. spread mortar evenly to an area with knotched trowel, but only an area to only til about 4-6 tiles at one time, then repeat the process. do no mortar the whole floor first and dont rap ourself in a corner. lay the tile where you want it and press down firmly. wipe excess mortar on edges of tile. there are parts that you can use for room to room transitions, like carpet to tile. find one you like and tile to it and follow instructions. once finished let dry for 24 hours. then grout. (24 hours is excessive, in my opinion, considering the temperature and humidity of the house, 8-12 hours should be plenty)

throw the spacers away, pop a chalk line square to one of the walls, a long exterior wall would be best. measure your tiles, measure several as they will vary slightly and get a good average size, if you're using 12"-18" tile, double your average size of the tile and add 1/2" for grout lines. pop a line parallel the other chalk line exactly that dimension away (2 tile sizes + 1/2"). continue across the room(s). now you need a line perpendicular to these lines, laser square works best but there are plenty of ways to get a perpendicular line. you can check by popping the line and and then popping another parallel the same dimension away from that line (2 tile sizes +1/2"), then measure corner to corner diagonally on the square it creates, both directions. these dimensions should be as close as possible, if the lines are perpendicular, these dimensions will be exactly the same. once you have those lines, continue to pop the rest in that direction using the same dimension throught the room(s). you will now know where every tile will be placed and can actually make every cut you need before mixing your thinset. when you're ready to install, trowel your mortar in one square at time and install 4 tiles in the center of this square. your grout lines will be straight and much more consistent than using the spacers

Answer 2

It is very time consuming. If you have never done it before I would first recommend that you get a "How Too" book and read up on laying tile. There are quite a few tools you will need, but here are the basic steps:

• Plan your layout and pattern.
• Install 'wonder board' or 'mesh'
• Seal edges and gaps around 'wonder board'.
• Mix thin-set according to formula.
• If using 'Mesh' apply thin-set.
• Mix thin-set for tiling according to formula.
• Apply thin-set to tile and set on floor and make sure the tile is squared to the next tile. Use a square or level. There is a laser square that you can use.
• Use grout spaces along sides and corners to keep grout lines evenly spaced.
• Tile a section/room and let set 24 hours before beginning next section/room. This is so you can walk or work on that section.
• Cut tiles for around doors, islands, walkways, edges, etc.
• Remove spacers. A needle-nose pliers is best.
• Clean out grout grooves between tiles. There is a special tool for this.
• Mix grout according to instructions.
• Apply grout to gooves between the tiles using a grout applicator paddle.
• Clean off the grout with sponge and water. You will need to change the water frequently.
• Clean the tile with a tile cleaner to get grout dust off of tile.
• Seal the tile with 'Tile Sealer' may require 2-4 or more applications. Water areas more applications like bathrooms.

Answer 3

Laying floor tiles is more complicated than is able to be expressed here but you need to ensure a number of things at least:

1) the correct tiles for the surface use

2) the correct adhesive and grout for the tile

3) a good 'background' for the tiles

4) an even 'stripe' of adhesive

5) they are correctly spaced

6) they grouted flush (recessed will allowed dirt and moisture to gather)

7) they are left to go off before walking on them

Under-pinning all of this is the need to set out correctly so you are left with a good-looking floor and do not have a lot of poor cuts to the edges.