How to Lay and Seal Saltillo Tile Floors

Saltillo tile comes from a place in Mexico of the same name. It is similar to terra cotta and is made entirely from natural clay which provides a rustic and cozy appearance to a home. Saltillo tile is relatively expensive compared to other kinds of tile, but it is also one of the most durable and attractive. Laying and sealing this type of floor is very similar to working with many other types of tile such as slate or ceramic. If you want a rustic and natural touch to a bathroom, kitchen or utility room, Saltillo tile is ideal.

What you'll need

• Saltillo tile
• Saltillo grout
• Oil-based tile sealant
• Wet saw
• Trowel
• Thinset mortar
• Chalk
• Bucket
• Stirring rod
• Mop
• Grout float
• Sponge

Step 1 – Prepare the Floor

It is very important that the floor is properly prepared before you start laying the tiles. The surface should be completely flat and smooth. If there is any damage in the floor such as cracks or holes, these will need to be sealed up and smoothed down before continuing. Make sure that the floor is clean before proceeding to Step 2.

Step 2 – Lay the First Tile

Determine the layout of the tiles. You may want to start from a corner of the room to minimize the requirement to cut the tiles. Alternatively, you may want to start at the centre of the room. Use chalk to mark the lines where you are going to install the first tiles. When the floor is prepared, mix the thinset mortar in a bucket as directed to by the manufacturer. Spread a quarter inch layer of mortar onto an area of the floor, working in one small area at a time. Place a thin layer of the mortar onto the back of the tile and then put it in place, twisting it around slightly so that it sticks firmly in place.

Step 3 – Continue Laying the Tiles

Apply enough mortar each time to lay 4 tiles. Continue laying the tiles, leaving the same size spaces between them. You can use tile spacers if you prefer, though this should not be necessary if you want to achieve the more rustic look that Saltillo is famous for. Cut the tiles as needed using the wet saw. Once finished, allow the installation to dry over night before continuing.

Step 4 – Apply Sealer

Mix an oil-based sealer product as directed to by the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a clean mop to cover the floor thoroughly with the sealant. Allow this to dry as directed by the instructions. In exactly the same manner, apply a second coat once the first is dry.

Step 5 – Apply Grout

Mix the grout as directed on the product packaging. Pack the grout tightly into the joints between the tiles by using a rubber float. Be sure to wipe away any excess using a damp sponge.

Step 6 – Apply a Final Sealer

Mop a final coat of sealant over the entire surface of the floor. Leave this at least several hours to dry before using the floor.

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Add River Rock Tile to Your Shower Floor

Adding a river rock tile floor to your shower will give the look and feel of a natural stone floor. River rock tile shower floors can also compliment other aspects of the bathroom. River rock tiles come in different color schemes, most of them being neutral. Before tackling this project, it is best to practice tiling and grouting on a different surface. The tools and instructions to take on this job are listed below.

What you'll need

• Thinset
• Mortar
• Putty knife
• Bucket
• Trowel
• Scoop
• Interlocking mesh
• Sealant
• Stiff bristled brush
• Sponge
• River rock tiles

Step 1 – Setting the Thinset

Spread the thinset adhesive all across the concrete base. The thinset will set the tiles in a thin layer of mortar. It is best to have a good quality thinset. The right thinset adhesive will assist with avoiding mishaps in the future. Spread the thinset starting in the back corner of the shower and working in small increments. Increments of 3 square feet should do the trick. This will keep you from spreading more thinset than is needed before it dries. The thinset will usually dry in about 10 or 15 minutes. Scoop the thinset from the bucket onto the floor of the shower. Spread it with a 1/4 inch notched trowel. The trowel should be held at a 45 degree angle with the notched side down. Drag the trowel across the thinset in order to corm rows of ridges that will be neat.

Step 2 – Adding the River Rock Tiles

The river rock tiles need to now be placed on the thinset. You can usually purchase the tiles mounted on sheets of interlocking mesh. They are 12 inch by 12 inch sheets. These are a plus because the stones are already spaced the way the need to be. This makes it faster to set the tiles and you can easily see the patterns across all of the tiles. You can get these tiles in a wide array of colors. Some of the tiles even mimic the look of a river bed. Others come in gray monotones, brown, black or white. You can cut the backing on the tiles to make shapes or patterns by mixing them. Another option when adding the river rock tiles is to use individual stones. This is more time consuming but gives you more creative options. 

Step 3 – Sealing, Grouting and Sealing Again

Use a penetrating sealer to seal the natural stones. The stones need to be covered in grout. Press the grout down in between the stones. Give it about 30 minutes to dry. You can use a brush with stiff bristles to remove the excess grout. Using a clean damp sponge, remove all of the grout that remains on the surface of the tiles. Lastly, apply the second and last coat of the penetrating sealant.

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Tips for Laying Granite Floor Tiles

Granite floor tiles are beautiful and durable. They can also be expensive. You can reduce your costs by installing the tiles yourself.

Measuring the Area

Use a measuring tape to determine the length and width of the space that you will be flooring. Multiply the two measurements together to find the amount of space that requires tiles.

Determining the Amount of Materials Required

Granite floor tiles are available in various sizes. The typical size is one foot by one foot. Divide the space you determined by one tile in order to determine howmany tiles you will need. Check the grout container for the amount you will need. Add about 15 percent to your tile and grout totals for any wastage.

Marking the Area

Use a chalkline to mark the center of the space to be covered. Mark the middle of the floor from one wall to the wall on the other side of the space. Continue with the other two walls. The intersection of the lines is the mark for beginning the installation.

Applying the Mortar

Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the beginning spot. Work in small areas at a time. Lay the tiles on the mortar. Press them into the adhesive to be sure they are sitting level. Place spacers between them. Continue working outward from the center of the space until the entire floor has been covered. Use a tile cutter for any spaces that require smaller tile pieces. Allow the floor about a day to dry completely.

Grouting the Tiles

Remove the spacers from between the tiles. Apply the grout to the floor with a grout float. Be sure to push the grout into all of the spaces between the tiles. Work in small areas. Wipe any excess grout from the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge. Allow the grout about a day to dry. Wipe away any grout that still remains with a damp sponge.

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Application of Anti-Slip in Porcelain Tiles

Last week we were asked to carry out a demonstration of our AntiSlip Treatment for a lady in Ashtead Surrey. She has white shiny Porcelain tiles laid on a patio area and when they get wet they are really slippery and dangerous and she was especially concerned about young children hurting themselves. We carried out a test patch for her and asked her to see if she could slip, not only did she try, but her gran and mother-in-law also tried and were extremely impressed. I left her with our quotation so she could discuss it with her husband. The next day I received a call asking me to go ahead and carry out the works.

Applying the Anti-Slip Solution

When applying this treatment it is vital that you follow all the guidelines and times for the different types of stone. It is a 3 stage application, the first is the primer which is mixed 4 : 1 which we scrubbed into small areas of about 6m2 at a time, when scrubbing we used a brush head on our rotary scrubbing machine which has the added advantage of cleaning the tiles.


After about 5 minutes of scrubbing using a scrubbing pad we then vacuumed it all and left the tiles to dry and because we were outside in the sun it didn't take long to dry. The next stage is to apply the Antislip treatment and for this we used a flat mop and for these type of tiles we needed to leave it to dwell for between 3 and 5 minutes, but we had to make sure that it did not dry in. After the dwell time the 3rd stage is to scrub in another solution of the primer, but this time it locks in the Antislip. When you are scrubbing this stage you can feel the treatment working. Once we have completed this stage we vacuum it all up then rinse the area with fresh water to remove any residues.


The complete area was around 50m2 and luckily the treatment package covered this area. In all the application took two of us around five hours to complete and after clearing our equipment away we then put all the garden furniture back in place. We returned the next day because the customer also asked us to clean their driveway and the patio area was wet because of rain, but it was great to walk on and I did not slip at all.


The customer was really happy, because if the treatment hadn't worked her only other option would have been to rip up the tiles and replace them at a cost of thousands and to make things even better for her, this treatment will last around 4 years before she needs to have it re-applied.



Source: Anti-Slip Tile Maintenance Problems Solved

Deep cleaning etched Anti-Slip tiles

You may recall a Limestone job I did recently at a Manchester country club in Hale. This Anti-Slip porcelain floor was installed at the same location in the passageway on route to the toilets and in the toilets themselves. Slips and falls can be a huge problem for buildings with public areas and so tiles which have been etched to make a normally smooth surface rough make perfect sense, the downside of course is that those rough surfaces trap dirt and are difficult to clean. Tile Doctor have a chemical Anti-Slip alternative that only activates when the tile get wet that doesn't require the tile to be etched but it does need to re-applied every few years.

Cleaning Anti Slip Floor Tiles

The floor tiled need a deep clean to bring out the ingrained dirt so we applied a strong solution of Tile Doctor Pro-Clean using two parts water to one part Pro-Clean and left it to soak into the tile for twenty minutes. The solution was then scrubbed into the tile using a rotary machine fitted with a black scrubbing pad. You could see the dirt coming out the pores of the tile and the resultant soiled solution was removed using a wet vacuum before washing the tiles down with clean water.


Including the ladies, gents and hallway there was a lot of floor area to cover and some of the stubborn areas had to be re-treated so it was a long job but I think you will agree the floor now looks great.




Source: Anti-Slip tile maintenance problems solved

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Installing Travertine Tile Floors

Travertine tile floors can offer advantages not found in other types of flooring, such as a more unique appearance and a more secure footing than you may find with ceramic tile. But in the installation of this tile you should be aware of common pitfalls you're likely to encounter if you're not aware of them.

Spreading Glue

In spreading the thinset glue that is typically used for adherence of this tile, avoid using any trowel except one with ½ inch teeth. Using any other trowel will result in applying too much glue that could ooze up from beneath the tile. Too little glue could inhibit the tile from adhering properly to the floor.

Choosing the Right Grout

When your tile has been glued to the floor and has dried, you'll need to use the proper grout to spread on it. A common mistake made in choosing grout is in assuming that there is a single, universal grout that should be used. Grout should be chosen according to the color that will match your tile, and the grout should be sanded.

Choosing the Right Sealer

Travertine tile, because it is porous, is easily stained by common household products that may be spilled on it. Choosing the wrong sealer will allow products such as coffee and wine to stain your tile, even after it is sealed.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Naturally Clean a Travertine Tile Shower

A travertine tile shower can make an attractive addition to any bathroom, but can be somewhat tricky to clean without the proper tools. Fortunately, with a few natural cleaning products, you can make your travertine tile shower sparkle like new in no time.

What you'll need

• All-natural liquid soap
• Warm water
• Clean empty spray bottle
• Sponge
• Washcloth
• Shower-head

Step 1 - Produce your Travetine-Safe Cleaning Solution

Before the cleaning can commence, you'll need to take a few moments to produce a natural, travertine-safe cleaning solution. Begin by combining an all-natural liquid soap with warm water in a clean empty spray bottle. Follow up by securely sealing the bottle and shaking it until your newly formed cleaner begins to sud.

Step 2 - Apply Your Cleaning Solution

Now that your cleaning solution has taken shape, use your shower-head to give your travertine tile shower a thorough water rinsing before proceeding to dry it with a clean cloth. Next, apply your homemade cleaning solution to the area you wish to clean and wipe it down with a sponge or washcloth using broad circular motions.

Step 3 - Rinse Your Shower

Once your shower has been successfully cleaned, use your shower-head to rinse away any remaining traces of your cleaning solution. Any caked-on soap stands to lead to the formation of mold and/mildew, so take care to be thorough when performing this step.

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How to Measure for Installing Travertine Tile Floors

Travertine tile floors are made from mineral stone materials, specifically marble. A lot of people use this type of flooring for their shower, kitchen and deck. Travertine tile floors were actually used as far back as the Roman era, which has dubbed this flooring as very long lasting and durable. Here is how to measure for installing travertine tile floors.

What you'll need

• Measuring Tape
• Calculator

Step 1 – Determine the Floor Area

Decide on which area of the floor you are going to install the Travertine tile. Have your measurements in square inches to achieve an accurate number. For example, if you are going to tile a square bathroom and one side measures 60 inches, multiply this number by itself to get 3,600 square inches of space that must be tiled. To get the area you simply multiply the length and width of the place.

Step 2 – Determine the Area of One Tile

Once you have chosen your travertine tile, calculate its area. Just like with the computation above, multiply the length and width.  For example, if you get a 14-inch square tile, it will have an area of 196 square inches.

Step 3 – Calculating How Many Tiles You Ned

The last step will be to divide the room’s floor area by the tile’s area. In this case, it is 3,600 square inches by 196 square inches, which is equal to 18.37 square inches. Round it up to the nearest whole number and you get 19 pieces. Nonetheless, it would be prudent to add 10% more onto the number you get to account for breakages during installation.

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