Laying ceramic, porcelain, or marble floor tile can be a great do-it-yourself project.
However, there are a few common mistakes that can make you look like a beginner.
Avoid these pitfalls and your tiling project will look just like the pros! Improper Prep- Prepping the floor is the most overlooked step in laying tile, however it is essential to a professional job.
The substrate must be clean and level to obtain a nice looking finished result.
Weak subfloors must be reinforced with cement board or additional framing to support the weight of the tile, adhesive and grout, or your floor is bound to crack.
Bad Layout Planning - It is important to do a "dry run" and layout your tiles first, especially in small or awkwardly shaped spaces.
In some cases, it looks better to start with a full tile on the most visible wall, while in others it makes more sense to center everything.
If you end up with less than a half-tile at either end, shift the layout one half tile to get larger tiles around the edges.
Uneven Spacing / Crooked Lines - Again, planning is everything! Measure carefully and snap chalk lines across the center of the room as a starting guide.
Then, use rubber spacers to get perfectly aligned tiles.
After the first few tiles/rows, check your alignment with a long straight edge or level.
Using the Wrong Adhesive - First you must choose the right type of thinset mortar based on the application, then you must mix it properly according to package directions.
Finally, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the correct trowel size, which is based on the size of your tiles.
Avoid the pre-mixed mastic that the big-box stores sell for flooring projects.
Grout Haze - You must clean the grout well as you go.
For a small bathroom, you can grout the whole floor and then clean, but for a larger area, work in a small area and clean it well before moving on.
After a first cleaning with a damp sponge, you should use a clean sponge for a second cleaning.
This will save you a lot of headaches later.
If you follow this advice, no one will ever know that your tile was a "do-it-yourself" job.
For even more tips and tricks, and great deals on tile flooring checkout our Tile Installation Guide.
However, there are a few common mistakes that can make you look like a beginner.
Avoid these pitfalls and your tiling project will look just like the pros! Improper Prep- Prepping the floor is the most overlooked step in laying tile, however it is essential to a professional job.
The substrate must be clean and level to obtain a nice looking finished result.
Weak subfloors must be reinforced with cement board or additional framing to support the weight of the tile, adhesive and grout, or your floor is bound to crack.
Bad Layout Planning - It is important to do a "dry run" and layout your tiles first, especially in small or awkwardly shaped spaces.
In some cases, it looks better to start with a full tile on the most visible wall, while in others it makes more sense to center everything.
If you end up with less than a half-tile at either end, shift the layout one half tile to get larger tiles around the edges.
Uneven Spacing / Crooked Lines - Again, planning is everything! Measure carefully and snap chalk lines across the center of the room as a starting guide.
Then, use rubber spacers to get perfectly aligned tiles.
After the first few tiles/rows, check your alignment with a long straight edge or level.
Using the Wrong Adhesive - First you must choose the right type of thinset mortar based on the application, then you must mix it properly according to package directions.
Finally, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the correct trowel size, which is based on the size of your tiles.
Avoid the pre-mixed mastic that the big-box stores sell for flooring projects.
Grout Haze - You must clean the grout well as you go.
For a small bathroom, you can grout the whole floor and then clean, but for a larger area, work in a small area and clean it well before moving on.
After a first cleaning with a damp sponge, you should use a clean sponge for a second cleaning.
This will save you a lot of headaches later.
If you follow this advice, no one will ever know that your tile was a "do-it-yourself" job.
For even more tips and tricks, and great deals on tile flooring checkout our Tile Installation Guide.
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