How To Lay Tiles On Concrete
Installation of tiles on concrete sub-floors can be done with relative ease under adequate guidance. Here is what you have to do.
lPrepare The Concrete Subfloor
• Ensure the concrete is dry, clean and must be at least 6 weeks old.
• If there are dips and humps, level the concrete using a levelling compound.
lSet Out
• Working from the centre outwards, take a measurement of the floor (both length and width) and draw a cross at the centre.
• Lay out the tiles from the cross with a space of 3mm between each tiles. This will allow for movement stresses within the floor and later to be filled with grout upon installation of the tiles and adhesive dried.
lCut The Tiles
• Due to the particularly had nature of some floor tiles such as natural stone and porceclain, high quality tools are usually required to produce a clean cut through the tiles. With the help of an electric wet cutter alongside a slide cutter and nippers, your job would be made a lot easier.
• For a better result during intricate cuts, make use of a cardboard template.
lFix The Tiles
• The tiles should be fixed using a cement-based adhesive.
• Ensure to refer to the packaging or product data for the mixing ratios information.
• Stir the mixture till its lump-free
lApply The Mixture
• Spread the mixture onto the concrete sub-floor to create parallel ribs with the help of a floor trowel.
• Push the tiles into the parallel ribs.
• Clear out any excess adhesive from the tiles surface with a damp sponge.
• Do not walk on the tiles for at least 2 hours.
lGrout
• Once the adhesive is dried, wipe out any dust, adhesive or dirt from the tiles’ gaps.
• Mix about 4 to 5 parts of grout powder with 1 part of water and ix together.
• Apply the mixed grout diagonally across the tiles using a soft rubber grout float.
• Wipe out excess grout from the tiles surface and allow the tiles to dry.
• Stubborn residues can be cleaned using any washing up detergent with warm water within 24 hours after grouting.