How to Install Ceramic Floor Tiles?

It rarely happens that you hire someone to install ceramic floor tiles and he doesn’t know anything about the work. Normally you get skilled and expert people who finish the work quickly and perfectly the best ceramic tile flooring.

However, it is equally important that you also know how it is done; so that you can evaluate the quality of the work.

To get the installation right, the subfloor has to be well-prepared. Most of the times, ceramic tile floor installation turns out to be a total fiasco because of a carelessly prepared subfloor.

A professional installer spends adequate time in preparation so that the result is superior and perfect. Here are a few important tips to get the best ceramic tile flooring.

As mentioned earlier, when you install ceramic tiles on an existing surface; make sure it is free of all imperfections.

Clean all debris and make the surface even by patching some good waterproofing filling element.

If the existing floor is wooden; then make sure it is at least one and a half inches thick.

For wooden floors of less than 1.5 inches of thickness should be supported by a layer of the concrete backer board.

A good-quality installer removes every bit of oil, dust, and grease by sanding, chipping and scraping the contaminants.

It is critically important to create a layout design with the maximum number of straight lines. Yes, indeed it depends a lot on the shape of the room. However, a seasoned floor installer uses his designing skills to minimize the angles and triangles.

Multiple configurations are to be tried if one approach doesn’t work. If the dimensions of the room are misaligned, then the maximum time goes into planning the floor layout.

Usually, the first-cut design is made by drawing chalk lines. Once the layout gets finalized, permanent lines are marked. 

Different types of mortar are used while laying ceramic floors. Depending on the mix, the setting time varies.

Each mortar requires different settling time and consistency time. The mortar is mixed with water unless it reaches the desired consistency.  Too watery or too thick mortar will not set well.

It is a skill to set the right mortar. Floor installers develop it over a period. Hence, it is important to hire an experienced service provider.

Once the right layout is finalized, and right mortar mix gets ready, now it is the time to start the installation of tiles.

As per the layout, the tile is fixed on the mortar using a twist motion. A rubber mallet is used to hit the tile. It affixes the tile on the mortar mix and adheres properly.

Hitting the tile also takes out the air bubble so that there are no air pockets formed when the mortar sets.

The space between the tiles should be the minimum to look the floor neat. Only the last line of the floor should have cut tiles.

The more uncut tiles are there in flooring, the superior is the quality. 

If you are looking to install best bathroom and ceramic floor tiles in Adelaide then please visit International Ceramics or call us at 08 8431 6777.

Also Read:

Five Tips to Consider When Choosing Tile

5 Reasons to Choose a Ceramic Floor Tiles

Top 10 Reasons Why You Should Choose Tile Flooring Instead Of Hardwood