How to Lay Ceramic Floor Tiles
Laying ceramic floor tiles is a job for a person who is a bit more advanced on the do-it-yourself scale. With some guidance and a little know-how, you can do it. You are wise to view some videos on installing ceramic floor tiles, as well. If you have a friend who is knowledgeable, ask them for a hand with it to at least get you started.
- Find a center mark in the room you are laying the tiles. Do this by measuring in two feet from a wall going east to west at both ends of the room. Mark it and snap a chalk line.
- Do the same going south to north in the room. Mark it and snap a chalk line.
- Start laying out tiles at the intersecting point. Do not lay down your thin set just yet. You want to run a series of dry tiles going in both directions to see how it "lays out." Use the plastic ceramic tile spacers.
- Go ahead and cut any tiles to fit at your ends, if needed. It probably won't be a perfect fit.
- Mix your thin set according to the instructions and lay it with a toothed trowel in a two square foot section starting at the intersecting lines. Work your way toward the edges of the room in such a way that you are not stepping on the tiles that you have already set down. Don't forget the plastic spacers.
- Vacuum up any pieces of thin set 24 hours after the tiles have sat for curing.
- Mix up enough grout to apply it in sections using a float trowel. Get it into the spaces well.
- Go over it with a wet sponge to remove excess grout until your water stays clear. Grout a section, and then go over it with the sponge.
- Use any spray-on sealer following the manufacturer's instructions. It is applied after the grout has had chance to dry thoroughly.