Many people call professionals for laying tiles in the bathroom or on any other concrete flooring in their house. But they charge a lot. So what now? Many people try to do it themselves, but instead of laying the tiles properly, they make some common errors which they are unaware of and thus what happens is that either the tiles comes off or they break. Hence, here are some tips for you which will teach you how to lay tiles properly, how to prevent the common mistakes and also how to save some money.
Laying Tiles Made Easy
This article mainly talks about the method of laying your choice of tiles on concrete floor. In order to make a boring concrete floor look good, the best way is to cover it up with ceramic tile flooring. Here are some tips which will make your job easier and neater.
Decide The Size and Color
The first thing that you have to do, during the installation is, decide on the size of the tile and also the area that you want to cover with the tiles. The tiles come in various shapes and sizes. Pick up one of your choice and make sure that all the tiles are of the same size. Get some extra tiles too, because while laying them, some of them might break. Also while laying tile diagonally, many tiles are wasted as cutoffs. Also, decide on the color of the tile. Choose something that will go with the rest of the room. Once you fix the tiles, it will be a tedious job taking them off again, if you do not like the color combination. Wastage of money, time and energy.
Clean the Floor
Next, make sure that the floor on which you will lay the tiles, is even and clean. If not then, level it properly. Also, if there are any cracks on the floor, repair them or else there might be a problem after you have laid the tiles. Clean the floor before laying the tiles and remove any traces of oil and debris. Floor cleaning and leveling, is the most important task before you begin. All this will make your job far easier while laying the tiles.
Plan
Now plan as to how you want to lay the tiles. Make a rough eye estimation as to how the tiles should be laid, what the flooring should be like. This will help you to not waste tiles and it will also save some time. Using a marker, you can also draw an outline of the tiles and the way it is to be laid in order to help you further.
Make the Mortar
Next step is applying the mortar. Start making the mortar which you have to use in order to place the tiles in its proper position. If you want, you can also use the adhesive to stick the tiles. Now using a trowel, just like you would butter a toast, put some of the mortar at the back of the tile and place it in its correct place. Do make sure that the mortar and the floor are in good contact with each other or else, while walking on the tiles next time, it might break or crack. Many times, it happens that while laying the tiles, one might be laid crooked. Many people do not notice it then and there and when they do so later, the mortar has already set in. So, while laying the tiles, you feel that it has not been placed properly, then remove it, clean it off its mortar and then place it again. If there is mortar on the tiles, then clean it before it dries up.
Using Adhesive
Some people, instead of using mortar, makes use of adhesives too for laying tile on concrete. Choose an adhesive that is strong enough to hold the tiles and that will not spoil the tiles or your floor. Some do the common mistake of dotting just the corner of the tiles thinking that it will stick to the floor strongly. But that's not what happens. It actually increases the chances for the tile to crack. Using a trowel, put the adhesive evenly across the entire tile and then put it. Press the tile softly but firmly in order to place it to the floor firmly.
Mixing the Grouts
After laying the tiles, mix the grouts which you now have to put in between the tiles. Fill in the spaces between the tiles carefully and after that, wipe the extra. As it dries up, wipe the tiles with a wet cloth. Don't be surprised if the tiles look a bit hazy. That's because of the excess grout. Clean it, and the tiles will lose the hazy look.
Just follow the steps and make sure that you are very careful while applying the mortar or the adhesive. No more do you have to call the professionals and no more do you have to spend money behind them.
