How To Lay Tiles On The Floor With Your Own Hands: Step By Step Instructions

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Surface preparation
• Concrete and reinforced concrete floors
• Wooden base
• Masonry options
• We carry out floor markings
• Self-laying tile technology
• Grout
• Conclusion

For many years, tiles have been at the forefront of the finishing materials market, especially when it comes to the bathroom or toilet. And many people want to do the finishing on their own, without involving specialists, which can significantly save money. But to carry out the work, you need to know how to properly lay the tiles on the floor.

Thanks to new materials, this task is becoming easier and easier, and only by observing the laying technology can you independently perform all the work. Let's take a closer look at all the features of each of the installation stages.

Surface preparation

The first step is to prepare the subfloor. The future of our tiles will depend directly on the quality of the surface. In particular, performance and aesthetic qualities.

Concrete and reinforced concrete floors

The preparations for the foundation may differ slightly depending on the material from which it is made. Usually wood, concrete or reinforced concrete can act in its role.

Considering the option with a concrete or reinforced concrete base, if there is such a need, then leveling is carried out. For him, a cement-sand screed is performed.

Additional waterproofing of the floor is also an important point, since most of the ceramic floors are installed in rooms with high humidity. For insulation, special mastics or paints and varnishes (some of them) are usually used. They must be applied to the primed surface.

Wooden base

For wood floors, preparation is done differently in some cases. Options are both screed and flooring of OSB sheets.

At the same time, considering any of the options for preparing the base for the installation of ceramic tile floors, the first thing to check is the strength of the coating. For this, the position of the lag is checked, and after which the floors are subjected to heat, sound and waterproofing.

Between the lags themselves, the space is filled with expanded clay, after which the boards are installed.

In total, surface preparation can be done in several ways:

1. The first is the installation of waterproofing, on which a metal mesh is provided. After that, a cement-sand screed is performed.
2. The second option is strengthening using a special adhesive mixture KS.
3. And lastly, laying on the prepared waterproofing of cement chipboards, plywood or gypsum fiber board (materials must be moisture resistant).

Find out in detail about the new technology for leveling the floor with a dry screed.

Masonry options

Among the standard options that are used most often, two types are noted, in particular:

1. Laying tiles in rows. It is carried out in several versions. Exactly, with seam-to-seam joining, also staggered.
2. The second popular option is diagonal styling.

More details about the methods of laying tiles can be found in a separate article on the site.

And now let's move on directly to the work, or rather, to the processes that will be performed after the preparation of the base and consider the methods of laying the floors.

We carry out floor markings

The next step, which involves the installation of ceramic tile floors, is to mark the surface.

To begin with, it is best to perform an approximate (sketch) layout on a sheet of paper, or on a computer. Such a little preparation will help to calculate the number of tiles required for work with an online calculator.

Ceramic tilesLinoleumParquetParquet boardCarpetLaminate
Coating length (m.)
Cover width (m.)
Floor length (m.)
Floor width (m.)
Minimum consumption:	0

Calculators from wpcalc.com

Further, we completely eliminate all possible protrusions that can interfere with the installation, in particular the jambs of doorways, skins and skirting boards. Further, the marking itself is carried out on the surface.

1. First, you need to accurately measure the length of the walls, and mark their center points.
2. The next step is to use a cord for marking. We rub it with chalk, then we stretch it between the centers of the walls, from point to point. We lower it to the floor, as a result we get two centerlines, which will become the basis for the marking.
3. Note that when choosing a method for laying floors diagonally, it is also necessary to perform diagonal marking.
4. All lines must necessarily intersect at one point, this will indicate that everything is done correctly.

We also note that the arrangement of tiles on the floor assumes an initial, rough layout. Those. all material is laid according to the scheme without glue mixture This check allows you to detect possible inaccuracies in the distribution and markup.

If there are no shortcomings and inaccuracies, then you can proceed directly to the masonry itself.

Self-laying tile technology

First of all, before laying the tiles, you need to prepare an adhesive mixture. This is done on the basis of the recommendations on the packaging, for each type of glue the process is individual (at least in terms of proportions).

In the case of using a dry mixture, pour water into the container, after which we carefully fill the composition itself. Next, we begin to mix it until a homogeneous consistency. It is advisable to do this using a special mixer nozzle with a drill.

We also note that the solution itself should turn out to be semi-liquid. This is very important as a mixture that is too dry will dry out quickly and cause the surface to crack.

And let's go directly to how to lay the floor tiles. To do this, let's analyze a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Initially, installation starts from the corner opposite the door.
2. Initially, it is envisaged to lay entire tiles, of course, if this does not contradict the integrity of the pattern.
3. Glue is applied to the floor surface, while the total area of application should not exceed a square meter, because otherwise the glue may set faster than the tiles will be laid. It is best to cover an area the size of one tile with mortar.

4. After that, the adhesive mixture is leveled using a notched trowel.

   

5. Next, we begin directly the installation itself. To begin with, one tile lays down. Its alignment and check of its location on the level are carried out.
6. The next step is to lay the second tile, which is also aligned and adjusted to the level of the first.

7. When the second tile is positioned higher than the first piece, it is necessary to press it down until an extra layer of mortar comes out, which must be removed immediately. When positioned according to the level of them, add the required amount of adhesive mixture.

   

8. To lay the tiles yourself, you must also provide for dividing crosses to form seams of the same size.
9. Laying continues in the same way. In particular, according to the algorithm "applying adhesive => laying => checking the level => leveling => removing excess adhesive mixture".
10. The last step is to lay the trimmed elements, since it is with them that problems usually arise and the need for adjustment. And it can be done in just 15-20 minutes, depending on the type of glue. Sometimes this figure can be higher.
11. The installation itself is completed, at this stage it is only necessary to remove the crosses the next day, as well as to grout, which is desirable to be carried out after 36 hours. It also depends on the type of glue and its characteristics.

In turn, you need to approach the question of how to lay ceramic tiles quite carefully. By the way, for those who are looking for a way to quickly lay tiles on the floor, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the devices for laying floors.

Grout

And the last aspect of the question of how to properly lay the tiles is grouting, the amount of which can be calculated with an online calculator.

The process itself involves filling the tile joints with a special compound. For the most part, it is selected directly under the tile itself. More details can be found in the article "How to choose a grout for tiles."

Let's go directly to the algorithm of actions:

1. First you need to prepare the solution itself. It is diluted with water, the ratio is four parts of water to one part of the composition.
2. Further, using a rubber spatula, grout is carried out. It is very important to use a rubber tool to avoid surface damage.
3. The filling is carried out gradually, from top to bottom, thus rubbing all the seams on the surface.
4. After drying, it is necessary to remove all grout residues on the tiles, which is done with a sponge.
5. Also, after 40-50 minutes after cleaning, the surface should be wiped with a flannel cloth.
6. The last step is to treat the seams with protective compounds that will protect them from moisture penetration, the formation of fungus, etc.

Note that in the composition of some rather expensive grouts, protective compounds are already present in the mixture itself, and therefore additional processing is not required.

Conclusion

On this, the question of how to properly lay ceramic tiles can be considered closed. The work has been completed, the floor can be fully exploited already 12 hours after grouting, but it is best to leave the room for a day or even two, for full confidence that the glue has dried evenly.

And finally, more clearly about how to properly lay floor tiles is described in the following videos, which are recommended for viewing.

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