Breaking tile for fun and sore knees.
I say breaking because thats really the most time consuming part of installing a ceramic tile floor. Sure you can buy actual tile cutting saws but it’s far more satisfying in my opinion to score and break it with a tile “cutter”. Or at last there is less dust.
In the ongoing renovation saga that is my homes’ back entrance I finally finished the installation of the tile floor. This house will be the death of my knees! I believe I have had a minimum of 1 flooring project for each year my wife and I have owned it. Or 2 projects in some years such as this which make up for any where there haven’t been.
So goes the tile installation:
1. It is important to have everything you need within reach so that it reduces the cussing once the tile setting begins.
2. It is very helpful to layout the tiles in the desired pattern to ensure that there are no unnecessary cuts or waste.
3. Dry setting the tile also allows you to make all necessary cuts for narrow pieces like below.
The “cutter” that I have basically scores the tile by placing it under the blade and sliding it forward with a downward pressure.
4. Once I had the first section of tiles laid out and cut to size it was time to mix the compound which secures the tile to the floor. This is a lot like joint compound or any other powder based mix. X-parts water to X-parts compound.
5. Here I have applied the compound to the concrete floor. First I used a trowel to apply an even layer then I used the toothed side of the trowel to leave the grooved surface for the tiles to sit on.
6. Here I have placed the tiles on the compound with tile spacers in between to provide a uniform spacing. I worked in small sections until the entire floor was covered.
I’ve often found that any project goes by faster if I have the assistance of a helper Pug. In this case ClaraBelle was the self appointed helper.
7. After all the tiles were set and the compound had cured for 48 hours I mixed the grout and forced it into the spaces between the tiles using a special grout trowel. The grount has the consistancy of wet sand and is easily forced into the spaces by holding the trowel at an angle. Then scrape any excess off and use the corner to smooth it in evenly.
8. Finally I cleaned all residue off the tiles with a wet washcloth and allowed it to dry. Then I used a tile sealer which prevents moisture from seeping into the grout and tile.
Below you can see the finished result. Yay, no more sore knees!
