Since moving into the Southwest in the Mid-West, we’ve begun to love the beauty of flooring tiles. There are several styles and colors to select from, and with pets, or children with allergies, it’s a wonderful option. What started out being bland can become comfy or elegant, to avant-garde, together with the fundamental laying of floor Belfast tile shop.
There are various kinds of tile to pick from: ceramic, ceramic, to the higher end of marble or granite. You might even choose stone or brick. The prices have a broad selection, so you might need to set a budget before you begin shopping around. Note: We’ve never laid marble or granite, so you might wish to consider a professional setup. I understand that the procedure might not be exactly the same.
Laying Tile is a tedious job, so don’t rush and do it correctly. If after mixing your mortar you discover that you’ve spead out a lot on the ground, scoop some back to the bucket. You don’t want your mortar to dry until you get your tile set. You want to begin with about a three ‘ x 3’ place before you proceed. You could also encounter other problems should you not have the correct base to lay the tile , or when you receive the mortar mixed too thick or too thin.
If you’re laying tile over wooden floors, or floors over a crawl space, you’ll have to lay cement plank. You can get this at your local home improvement store, bring it home, and screw it down over your current floor. This aids the tile from breaking and shifting. If you’re laying tile over a slab floor on cement, then just be certain that the area is level, and clean from debris before beginning.
A wet saw (rents for about $50 per day)
A Few trowels (the tile company will help you choose the Right trowel for the tile you choose)
A few floats (for dispersing your grout)
A level
Sponges
Spacers
Shop towels
Chalk line ( for discovering center of flooring )
Tape measure
T-Square
Straight edge
Knee pads
Safety glasses
To start, clear everything out of your way, and place in your knee pads and protective eye wear. With the tape measure and chalk line, locate the middle of your room. This is where you may begin. Read the instructions on your mortar bag, add water into a 5 gallon bucket, then add the mortar. If the mortar is too thin, the tile won’t stick. If the mortar is too thick, you can get air pockets beneath the tile, and if you step on them they might crack. Together with your trowel, spread the mortar in a three ‘ x 3’ area.
Begin laying your tile based on the pattern you’ve selected; put your spacers, and continue on to another tile. Then choose your level to check to be sure everything is flat. Wipe off additional mortar in the tiles right away with your store tiles and clean water. If they dry, you’ll have difficulty getting off the mortar. Repeat, laying tiles before this section is completed. After that, take your t-square and straight edge to ensure everything is in alignment. Use your Pencil to mark lines on the tiles that you will need to cut, and then cut them on the wet saw. At this time, it’s advisable to leave this space for at least 24 hours. These tiles require 24-48 hours to set.
Following your tiles have set, start mixing your grout according to the package instructions. Use your float to dip the grout from the bucket, and on the ground. With roughly a 45 degree angle, going diagonally through the tile, lay your grout into the spaces surrounding the tiles. Wipe the excess grout off the tiles with sponges and wash water; proceed forward until the grout is laid. Finish up your clean and allow the tile place for about a week until you seal the tile. Check with your home improvement store to determine whether your need to seal your specific tile. Seal your tile and grout according to instructions.
tilesbelfasttech 