DIY Manual: Prepare Flooring for Tile Installation
The feel of completing the job on your own can’t compare to anything else, it’s just pure satisfaction. Another level of completeness – is realizing that you did some major upgrade in your own home, like re-tiled the floor – surface that catches the eye on the first place. Tiling the floor might be exciting and really useful experience, it’s recommended to oversee any potential risks and mistakes. We have prepared a step-by-step guide on how to properly install a tile, from prep to actual tiling and grouting.
Just like any other DIY project on home renovation, process of tile installation requires a decent surface and proper substrate. Below you will find a list of most basic items needed to prepare floor for tile installation and if any of these recommendations seem out of range for you, feel free to reach out to our team of experienced tile installers and managers to get some help with your upcoming home improvement project, either bathroom renovation, kitchen remodel, large hall tiling or any other.
Tools and items needed to prepare floor for tile
1. Safety first – knee pads and goggles
2. Prep products – cement board, saw, special crack-prevention membrane, backer board screws, notched trowel, and tile adhesive.
3. Assist tools – tape measure, carpenter’s square and chalk line
Now let’s move to actual tasks that work for all tile flooring: bathroom tile, kitchen tile, stone tile, mosaic tile, porcelain or ceramic – just name it.
Prepare sub-floor
There are two major types of sub-floor (rough flooring under your current finished material): concrete or wood. Wooden sub-floor tends to suffer from humidity and fluctuations of temperature over time and will need to be treated well before applying new tile. Make sure to remove any excess screws or nails left after demo of previous flooring. Use new cement boards to create a decent base for new tile flooring and avoid any cracks related to movement of tile. Use special screws and tile adhesive to attach new cement boards. A crack-prevention membrane is used as a waterproofing and is mortared to both surfaces. If you’re dealing with concrete sub-floor – remove any adhesive leftovers and make sure to patch and fill any cracks. In some cases you might need to use a grinder for proper cleaning. The good moment – you can apply tile directly into concrete sub-floor it is all levels up and is properly cleaned.
Depending on shape and size of selected tile you will have to determine a layout of tile (don’t forget to account for placement of new fixtures, vanities, cabinets etc.). If you chose classic square tiles – a regular linear or grid layout will be best, but if you have a rectangular tile in mind – go with herringbone, 1/3 offset, brick or stacked layout. Most professional tile installers recommend to use full tiles in the most visible locations of the project room and do tile cuts in less visible walls or against cabinets. The ultimate goal here will be to place as many full tiles as possible and keep any custom adjustments and cuts hidden.
