Helpful Tips To Install A New Tile Floor
A new tile floor added into your home is a great update for any remodeling project and provides your living space with some great benefits. A tile floor is durable and waterproof and can look beautiful in your home for many years. Here are some helpful tips and recommendations for you to use as you install and lay a new tile floor in your home.
Prepare the Floor
Just as with any project, preparation for the job is one of the more important parts of the process. You don't want to start laying tile onto a surface that is not level or that contains cracks because you will regret it later on when you have a bad-looking finished project or a bunch of cracked tiles. You should first take a look at the area where you want to install the tile to make sure it is level, smooth, and free of any imperfections. A small bump or crack within your floor can cause problems with your tile installation, depending on the products you use.
When you are dealing with an uneven floor, whether it is made of sub-floor or is concrete, you need to make it completely level with some self-leveling compound. When you pour this onto a floor with lower areas, it will fill them in to create a smooth surface for your tiles. Keep in mind that a self-leveling product will flow into any opening. If you are pouring it directly over subfloor boards, be sure you seal up any cracks with caulk to prevent the compound from leaking into the cavity below.
It will also benefit you to remove any baseboards from the room you are tiling. The baseboards will get in the way of a professional-looking installation, as the tiles will get placed next to the baseboards instead of below them as they should be. And if you are hiring a professional to handle the installation, they will want you to remove these first, or they can do the work for you.
Use Good Measurement Guides
The type of tile you select for your space can make a difference in its final appearance, but you need to make sure you measure properly for an even placement. You don't want to merely rely upon one wall as a straight edge measurement for the installation; instead use chalk lines on the floor as a guide.
Next, as the chalk lines get covered with your layer of thin-set, use a straight length of plywood to use as a guide you can attach to the floor with screws and move as you need to place each row of tiles. This will help ensure that your row of tiles does not slowly become more crooked bit by bit.
Contact a company that provides tile installation services to learn more.
