Before installing your tile floor, be sure to pick up the proper tools to help with your project. You are going to need a tape measure, hammer, square, and glass cutter. Clean rags and a sponge will also help you along the way. Also, don't forget to wear safety goggles as safety is important in any construction job.
Before tiling installation can get under way, the floor must be properly prepared to accept the tile being layed. Remove the original flooring. When the original floor is removed, inspect the sub-floor to make sure it is in good condition. If the subfloor moves up and down when being walked upon, it may need to be nailed back down so it's held firmly in place. A sub-floor that is not rigid may crack the new tile that is layed over it.
Now that the floor is level and determined to be in good condition, clean any and all debris off of the floor. In the bathroom, you will need to remove the toilet. When laying tile in a bathroom or kitchen, a waterproof underlayment must be used to aid in moisture protection. If not used, any spills that occur in these areas might get under the tile and damage the flooring underneath it. Even though you will not see it, having a quality underlayment is a very important part of installing and maintaining a tile floor. Use a high quality underlayment with a concrete core and fiberglass facing. This is the best protection against any water damage, especially in a bathroom or kitchen. Use patience when installing the underlayment and things should fall into place much easier. The room will need to be measured and the underlayment will need to be cut to the proper length. Use a square and a straight edge to mark the underlayment and score it with a strong utility knife where it's needed to be cut off. It will easily break on the score line and can be fitted into place. A tile mortar can be used on the sub-floor and specially made screws that are made just for this, can be used to hold the underlayment in place. When the underlayment is finally secured to the floor, fill in all the joints with mortar and use a joint tape to seal all of the seams.
Before you lay any tile down, locate the center of the room. Having your tiles properly centered will give a better appearance upon completion of the floor. Use a chalk line to find the center of the room and this line will also be used when you start to lay the tile. It will provide a straight line to begin laying the tile. Now the tile can start to be installed.
Start by spreading a layer of tile adhesive along the side of the chalk line you created to find the center of the room. Lay the first tile down and then start on another. Be sure to have purchased some spacers to place in between the tiles so that there is a nice even line where the grout is going to be placed later on. Remove the spacers as needed to continue laying the tile. After laying a couple of rows of tile down, go back and make sure they are all level and fit snuggly into place. A subtle tap with a rubber mallet might need to be used if not positioned properly. If any adhesive has squirted out between the tiles, definitely go back and wipe it clean with a damp sponge or rag. Don't let this stuff dry hard or you are going to have a really difficult time removing it later.
You started your project in the center of the room for the best possible appearance and now you have made it all the way out to the walls. This is where things become a little more tricky because the tiles will more than likely need to be cut in order to fit in place. The cheapest way is to just use a glass cutter. This also works quite well. Measure the desired dimension of the area needed to be filled with a tile. Transfer those dimensions onto the tile. Use a straight edge and glass cutter to score the mark. You should then be able to snap the tile on the score and fit it into place. In the bathroom, you will need to cut the tile to fit around the toilet drain. Different types of masonry drill bits can be used for this. Another good way to fit a tile around a drain is to repeatedly score the area to be removed with a glass cutter and then use a pliers to carefully remove the tile a piece at a time.
Now that the tile floor is completely installed, the joints must be filled in with grout. Ask for a grout applicator when purchasing your materials and you'll have it ready for when this step comes. Mix the grout to the packaging recommendations and apply it into the joints. Be sure to clean up any excess with a damp sponge or rag. The longer the grout cures the better. I would allow up to a week. If a water sealer is needed, you may go over the grout and apply the finishing touches. In the bathroom, you can now reinstall the toilet. Be sure to use a brand new wax ring. A reinforced wax ring works best. Different types of baseboards can be used to match the floor in the kitchen. There are also decorative quarter round that can be placed around the wall to fill the outer gaps. You should have no trouble finding some nice looking ones that match the decor. There are many types to choose from.
Remember when doing at home projects, to always wear safety goggles and other personal protective equipment to protect yourself from injury. It is also a good idea to read all of the instructions and manufacturers recommendations labeled on the packaging to get the best results for you new tile floor.
Source: www.Voices.Yahoo.com
