Tile Installation

Before Installers Arrive

The arrival of new ceramic tile flooring is no exception, especially when one realizes that tile, like any floor covering, impacts interior beauty, design, décor, comfort, livability, and upkeep. It’s a truth of housing: floor coverings can make, or break a home. Being ready for the installation of your new ceramic tile will make the entire process go faster, more efficiently, and hopefully eliminate any “surprises.” Knowing what to expect and being prepared will also be a lot less stressful on you, your family and your home.

Use a professional

This type of floor is heavy, difficult work
It’s labor intensive and extremely exacting
Not for the do-it-yourselfer
Installing tile flooring is a skill that is developed through years of experience

The process begins with foundation preparation:

Process

Prepare and level the substrate
Cement subfloors can apply the mortar directly to it to lay the tile
Wood subfloors require a CBU (cement backer unit)
Movement in the substrate material can sometimes occur
For example, water penetrating the grout and/or freezing and thawing temperatures can sometimes cause the tile to rise, crack or chip
Areas get measured
Snap chalk lines for an accurate layout
Determine which pieces of tile will need to be cut to fit the area
Tiles that need to be cut are measured and marked with a pencil
Then use a wet saw with a diamond blade to cut through
Begin setting the tile
Thinset mortar, which is a cement-based adhesive, is applied to the surface with a trowel
Tile then placed into the thinset and pressed firmly into place
Imperfections in your subfloor will require differing amounts of mortar to be applied
This installation, known as a medium bed installation, is more time consuming and costly
Once the tiled floor has been set, left to fully cure (12 to 24 hours), grout is applied
Quick set grout is also an option for smaller areas

Grout

After tiles are set and the thinset mortar has fully cured, joints are filled with grout
Sanded and unsanded grouts are used
Type of grout used is determined by the tile, grout joint, and width
A mixture is spread over the tiled area to fill in all the joints
A sponge is used to remove excess grout from the surface of the tile
Mortar and grout need 24 hours to cure before walking on

Before installation day

Relocate furniture
Empty china cabinets and closets
Consider removal and disposal of old floorcovering
Remove it yourself and leave 1 day before install
Moldings and baseboards need to be removed for stone installation
Installers not responsible for damage or breakage due to dry or brittle wood
Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching (this is your responsibility)
Existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the stone

Door plan

Possibility that doors may not clear the new floor and swing free
Installers may remove doors and rehang for an additional cost
For clearance issues, arrange for a qualified carpenter to shave or cut down

Clean-up

Waste will be produced
Waste collected and disposed of by installers at an additional cost

Installation day

Be home and available
Be prepared for questions
Presence ensures the right wood is installed in the right areas
The exact time of arrival cannot be guaranteed, only a time frame

Safety

Installers use tools and techniques that can be hazardous
Make sure that children and pets are out of the work area
Follow through with a walk-through
Prior to completion, walk through to ask questions and be clear on any final details

After installation day

Establish good ventilation for 48 to 72 hours