Ceramic Tile Techniques

Preparation

• Preparation of the installation area is one of the most important aspects of the overall project with ceramic tile. Floors need to be completely level and devoid of hills and valleys, and walls need to be completely plumb, without bulges. Level concrete floors using floor leveling compound, and cover wood substrate needs with a proper underlayment, such as concrete or fiberboard. Always waterproof showers before tile installation, and remove all dirt and debris so the mortar can stick to the substrate.

Layout

• Layout is an important element in a ceramic tile installation. Centering a room with a couple of square lines and running everything off of that point with nothing more than tile spacers as a guide is foolhardy. It is impossible to keep the grout joints square and straight without reference lines, and if you do not measure the floor in advance and check your layout you will end up with ugly sliver cuts (small cuts under 2 inches) in visible areas. Always adjust your layout so that you have full tiles or large cuts in the most visible areas for the best finish results.

Jamb Saws

• Installing ceramic tile without the proper tools is like being a dentist and trying to pull teeth with nothing more than a pair of pliers. There are hundreds of tools available for different circumstances, including specialty tools like jamb saws. Use jamb saws to undercut door jambs so that tiles can be slid under the jambs to hide the cuts and make it look like the piece of tile was installed before the door was installed. This creates a seamless-looking installation.

Large-Scale Grouting

• A sponge is the best way to clean grout during the grouting process in small areas; if you have a large open area to grout, a professional trick will help you do it. Purchase a bath mat with heavy rubber padding on one side, cut it down the middle lengthwise, then take one half of the mat and fold it so that the mat backings are against each other and the carpet fluff is on the outside. Save the other section of the bath mat for another grouting project. Attach one half of your bath mat to a mop to create a large, sponge-type device that allows you to grout large areas in a fraction of the time you would need when using a sponge.