Installing Your Own Ceramic Tile Floor
Before installing ceramic tile you need to think about your sub-floor, or the surface you will be attaching the tiles to. If you already have ceramic tile installed on your floor you may be able to put new tile directly on top of it but this may make your floor too high and cause a tripping hazard. Old ceramic tile is best removed before the installation of new tile. You can also install ceramic tile on plywood, cement backer board or cement flooring. Don’t try to install ceramic tile over wood, linoleum, or vinyl tile.
Installing ceramic on a cement floor requires a bit of preparation. Sand away any rough or raised patches of concrete and repair any cracks with a concrete epoxy. Be sure the cement is clean and free of dust and dirt. If you are using plywood or cement backer board for your sub-floor you should secure it with heavy-duty screws and be sure that it is level. If your tile is going to be in an area that will get excess moisture such as a kitchen, bathroom, or entryway you may want to put a layer of waterproofing on your sub floor to prevent seepage.
Before you apply adhesive to your new ceramic tiles put them down on the floor to determine the specific pattern you want and find out the measurements of the tiles you will have to cut to size. In order to keep your tiles in a straight line you can mark you sub floor using a chalk line. Put tile spacers in between your tiles to provide an accurate measurement. Mark tiles that need to be cut by writing the measurements down on the tile with a pencil and numbering the tile for its order on the floor. You can now cut your tiles to size using a handheld tile cutter or a table-mounted tile saw which could be rented or purchased at your local home improvement center.
To secure your ceramic tiles to the sub floor you will need to use cement. Prepare your cement according to the package directions and allow it to cure. Spread cement evenly over your sub floor using a trowel and place your tiles onto the cement. Be sure to use tile spacers to insure an even grout space. You will want to apply your cement in small areas at a time to avoid drying. Press down on each tile to ensure a good attachment to the sub floor. When your tile is completely in place you can remove the tile spacers to avoid having them stuck in the dry cement.
After your cement has had a full day to dry you can begin grouting your tiles. If your grout space is larger than 1/16 of an inch a sanded grout should be used, otherwise you can use any type of tile grout. You can find a grout in any color you prefer.
Once you have prepared your grout, use a padded grouting tool to ease the grout into the spaces. When you have completely filled the gaps with grout you can use a damp sponge to remove the excess grout and create a slight indentation between your tiles in the grout. Use a waterproof caulk around the edges of your walls to prevent moisture from seeping underneath your tile floor. Wait about two days before you wash the excess grout from the surface of your tiles to prevent any grout from being removed from between the tiles.
Though it is not completely necessary, you may want to apply a grout sealant to protect your grout from stains and color fading. Your ceramic tile should not need any special care or cleaning and can be damp or dust mopped as often as you wish!
