How To Install Ceramic Tile On Concrete Basement Floor

Once everything is ready start by applying a layer of mortar to the floor.

How to install ceramic tile on concrete basement floor.

The commercially available mortars generally need to be mixed with a proportional amount of water. Decide on the pattern to be installed and dry set it. If you attach the tile to concrete you need to take special precautions by uncoupling the tile from the concrete. Then prime the concrete see photo 2 with the recommended solution consult the membrane manufacturer s literature.

Measure a 2 foot section of tile. Tape a large piece of plastic over the concrete floor securing all edges with duct tape. Lay the tiles into the mortar and using the spacers make sure you are running even with the chalk line. Wait 24 hours and check under the plastic for moisture.

It will be the guide to ensure that the tile application will fit the area of the flooring. As you move on to the subsequent rows use the spacers to keep your pattern square. For ceramic tile nail cement boards to the concrete floor with concrete nails so they won t move then apply mastic tile and grout. Skip this step and we guarantee your new tile will crack right over the cracks in the concrete.

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. When setting the tiles work in grids of 2 tiles by 2 tiles. Cut the membrane so it s 1 1 2 times the width of your tiles. More than almost any other type of floor covering tile needs a rock solid base.

Rather than using cement boards cbus the favored method is to use an uncoupling membrane. Use tile spacers for grout joints. Dry fit the tiles on floor. Place the tile firmly on the mortar moving it slightly back and forth so it attaches to the mortar properly.

Lay several porcelain tiles in a row using spacers to simulate 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. If you find moisture you will need to abandon the. Use a level to ensure that it is correctly aligned with the surface.