Tile Your Floor Like A Pro!
Tiling is a job that most people steer away from. However, it is actually
a lot easier than you might think. Plus it can save a ton of money on the budget. You just need to know a few simple steps.
Picking out Your Tiles
First step is picking out your tiles. There’s a ton of variety and choice in tiles today. Tiles come in different sizes, colors, materials, finishes and textures. You need to decide what theme or feeling you are going for and then decide on your colors. This is a personal choice for everyone but you are going to live there, so you decide how you want to feel when you walk into that room.
Measurements
Next, you need to measure out your floor area and decide how you want
to lay the tiles out and if they have to go under any fittings or thresholds.
Generally, it is better if you tile under the fittings because if you move appliances in the future, then you don’t have to worry about having to lift them up and over the edge of your new tiles.
When you’ve decided on your tiles you need to do some measuring. Measure your floor’s width and then divide it by the width of one tile. This will tell you the number of complete rows that you’ll have and how many tiles you need to buy. Buy a little extra. There may be breakage and if you need them you want to make sure you have tiles from the same run so they all match. If you end up with too many tiles you can always bring the extras back for a refund. Be sure to keep a few extra tiles, you never know when one might break or crack and have to be replaced.
Application
Now you are ready to lay the tiles. Make sure that the surface you are applying to is clean and flat. You don’t want any uneven tiles on your floor. Be sure that you have an even coverage of adhesive placed on your sub-floor. The type of adhesive to use would depend on your sub-floor or the surface you are tiling. If it is a concrete floor, then you can use a rapid setting adhesive. However, be sure to only spread a little area at a time. You don’t want the mixture to dry before you can get the tiles on it.
If it is a wooden sub-floor, then you need a flexible adhesive. Make sure you read all the adhesive bags or tubs so that you get the right one for the job. That also includes the color of the adhesive. Adhesives usually come in white, black or grey. The color you use depends on the color of your tile. Make sure you choose the right color. You don’t want color coming from the underside and bleeding onto your design.
Grouting
When you have adhered all your tiles to the floor, you need to wait at least
24 hours before you grout. This is to give the adhesive enough time to thoroughly dry. When they are dry, you are ready to begin grouting. If you have used natural tiles, like marble, slate, limestone, granite, travertine, and porcelain, you need to seal them before you can grout. You use a specialized sealer that waterproofs the tile so they are more resistant to dirt and staining.
Follow the directions to mix up the grout and apply it using a grout float between your tiles forming a grout line. Try to work the grout into the gaps until they’re all filled. If you have white marble tiles, then you need to use a white grout instead of gray since the gray can stain the marble. Let the grout set for about 10 minutes and then start wiping off the excess grout on your tiles using a wet sponge. Keep doing this and rinse the sponge in a bucket of water between about every 3 wipes. After 3 wipes your sponge is usually full of grout and you need to clean it off. You can use a popsicle stick or your finger to smooth out the grout lines. When you’re done, step back and look at your beautiful floor. Pat yourself on the back. You did a great job!
Daisy Profits writes articles and builds websites on various subjects. She is a jewelry artist and has been a Flight Attendant for 10 years. Daisy lives in Florida with her maltipoo “Sky” in a house she is renovating. For more decorating ideas you can visit her site at: http://www.dressupyourspace.com
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