How To Install Ceramic Tile On Concrete Basement Floor

Check the distance between tiles and note the location of the.

How to install ceramic tile on concrete basement floor.

For ceramic tile nail cement boards to the concrete floor with concrete nails so they won t move then apply mastic tile and grout. Measure a 2 foot section of tile. Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete. Once everything is ready start by applying a layer of mortar to the floor.

Mortar is basically the adhesive that helps the tile stick to the concrete so choose the one that best suits your needs and your current situation. Place the tile firmly on the mortar moving it slightly back and forth so it attaches to the mortar properly. Wait 24 hours and check under the plastic for moisture. Lay several porcelain tiles in a row using spacers to simulate joints.

If you attach the tile to concrete you need to take special precautions by uncoupling the tile from the concrete. Tape a large piece of plastic over the concrete floor securing all edges with duct tape. Cut the membrane so it s 1 1 2 times the width of your tiles. Use a level to ensure that it is correctly aligned with the surface.

Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature. Cut the tiles to the desired size with a nipper then mark the room flooring to make quadrant divisions with horizontal and vertical lines once the tiles have dry set. Dry fit the tiles on floor. If you find moisture you will need to abandon the.

Lay the tiles into the mortar and using the spacers make sure you are running even with the chalk line. More than almost any other type of floor covering tile needs a rock solid base. Let the primer dry and then apply the membrane photos 3 and 4. As you move on to the subsequent rows use the spacers to keep your pattern square.

The commercially available mortars generally need to be mixed with a proportional amount of water. Rather than using cement boards cbus the favored method is to use an uncoupling membrane. Use tile spacers for grout joints. If you feel that despite all precautions the basement floor may get wet put down 2 by 4 inch sleepers cover with plastic and then install the plywood as the subfloor.