What is the proper and standard procedure in laying ceramic tiles?

Answer 1

It is best to remove the vinyl tile. If it is not on cement and is on wood you can install cement backer board. Be sure to put thin set under the board. If you spend the money and time to install ceramic tile and the vinyl tile comes loose all that $ is down the drain

What is the best tile cement to use and this cement tile can be installed on vinyl tile and install ceramic tile on it

Answer 2

1) Prepare the surface. The walls must be drywall or 1/2" cement board (for wet areas,) floors must be plywood (not chip-board or particle board) or cement board (such as 1/4" HardiBacker.) Surface should be clean and free or debris (i.e. cleaned with a vaccuum.) Surface must also be flush-make sure all screws and nails are countersunk or at least flush with the surface of the substrate.

2) Mortar (for floors) or mastic (for walls) must be mixed to the manufacturer's specifications.

3) Mortar or mastic is then spread on the substrate using a square-notched trowel (1/4" notches for 12"x12" tile) and then tile laid over in the correct orientation. The tile should then be slightly pressed into the mortar/mastic and the edges flushed with edges of adjacent tiles. Be careful not to press the tile too hard to squeeze too much mortar/mastic out from underneath.

4) Once the mortar or mastic has cured, then gaps between the tiles are grouted using a grout float, taking care to squeeze the grout firmly between each tile. The excess grout is then removed and let to cure. The tile surface should then be polished with cheesecloth (to remove residual grout haze) and then the grout sealed with a quality sealer.

Answer 3

Get a trowel, putty (I can't remember exactly what it's called), and a putty knive. Spread the putty on the untiled surface with the putty knife (in small portions) and use the trowel to smooth it. Then lay the tiling on the putty and hold it in place for about 30-60 seconds, and move on, repeating said process. If you need additional assistance, pick up a how-to book on tiling or ask a customer associate when purchasing your materials. The putty referred to is a quick set cement or mortar. Some recommend an adhesive that has a bit of fexibility in it. Once the tiles are set and dried, you then work grout in between the tiles, smooth everything off and clean up.

Answer 4

To install ceramic tile over vinyl tile, roughen the surface with sandpaper, clean it thoroughly, apply a bonding primer, and then install the ceramic tile using thin-set mortar.