Installing a tile floor is something that if done right, and with patience, can be a fairly easy project to complete.  Tile is a durable and easily maintained, it may be just the appearance you want for your home.  You must always check the current condition of your floor; if the floor is not smooth (flat) it will not be once the project is completed.  Floor preparation is one of the most important factors when laying a tile floor.  You may not realize it right away, but the floor will eventually fail causing you headaches and more money.

If your old floor has cracks in it you must figure out the problem, whether it’s standard wear and tear or a faulty sub-floor.  One option you may have is putting down 1/2inch plywood to create a better and smoother sub-floor.  If you choose to install over concrete, there are many crack suppression methods available on the market to solve the problem.  If you choose to install over plywood, make sure the surface is smooth.  As an extra precaution, sand the plywood down to make it smooth.  You can also install tile flooring over existing ceramic tile floor rather then removing it.  In this case, as well as going over any old floor, you must check to ensure that all hinges and doors will still function properly.

Tools needed:

• Safety glasses (optional)
• Level
• Knee Pads (optional)
• Rubber Mallet
• Tile Cutter / Wet Saw / Coping Saw (one of the 3 but a Wet Saw is mostly recommended)
• Tile Nippers (for curves)
• Adhesive

One question people always ask is how many tiles do I need or how do I know how they will lay/fit together?  A great way to know the number of tiles you will need and the different cuts you will need to make is to lay the tiles out prior to applying the adhesive to permanently stick them to the sub-floor.  This allows you to ensure you have made the proper cuts and the layout is correct.  It may take some extra time but you will be happy you did so in the long run.

When you get the layout complete, remove several rows and begin applying the adhesive.  Make sure that you work the tiles into the adhesive so you have a strong and accurate bond between the tiles.  Use a spacer/leveler to ensure that the tiles are spaced evenly.  Also use a rubber mallet to lightly hammer down the tile to push down uneven surfaces.

If adhesive comes up between the tiles, make sure you remove the extra adhesive.  Immediately wipe any adhesive from the face of the tiles with a solvent-soaked sponge or rag. (Consult the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the appropriate solvent). Adhesives begin to set firmly in 20 to 30 minutes.

When cutting a tile, use a tile cutter and always cut with a straight edge to ensure your cuts are accurate.  If you are new to this, make sure you buy approximately 10 additional pieces of tile because there is a high chance the first several cuts you will need to correct/ re-cut.

After you have the tile floor installed, you will need to grout the floor.  You will want to wait at least 24 hours to let your adhesive set.  After you remove the spacers in between the tiles, you want to ensure you float the grout diagonally to ensure a even layer across the joints.  After you get a small section done, make sure you thoroughly clean the group from the tiles.  But make sure you don’t do it too soon because you can wash the grout from the joints, but waiting too long can be ever worse making it much more difficult to clean the tiles.

Once the project is complete, you should mop the floor as best as possible to remove any residue left behind from the adhesive.  It also helps if the project is completed when your family will be gone to allow ample time for the floor to cure.  For any additional information consult the store/ technician where the tile and materials were bought.