How To Lay Floor Tiles
When taking on a new DIY project, we often spend hours scouring the internet for tutorials and this can take up a lot of time. We made things easier by including all you need to know about laying your own floor tiles in this guide.
2 minute read
What you will need:
- Pencil
- Trowel
- Bucket
- Mixer
- Tiles
- Tile adhesive
- Spirit level
- Sponge
- Safety goggles
- Tape measure
- Tile cutter
- Spacers
Prepare the area
Once you have all the necessary equipment, you need to make sure your room is clear and the floor is clean. It is vital that you dry the floor thoroughly after cleaning before you continue.
Plan where your tiles will go
The next step is to simply plan where your tiles will go. To do this, you need your spirit level, a pencil and a tape measure. You want to mark out what is known as a datum line, which will outline where your tiles will be placed and will ensure they are straight and even. A tile should fit either side of your datum line.
Prepare your mixture
You are ready to mix your tile adhesive. Using a bucket, add some water and the powdered adhesive and mix well until it resembles a thick paste. If the paste is too runny, add more powder; if it’s too thick, add more water.
Have a practice run
Place your tiles down so that you can see if they are going to fit as you wish. Using your datum line that you drew out before, lay out all the floor tiles and check the spaces between are even, and the space around the edge is the same all around the room. If you need to, you can adjust your reference line and amend the tiles before moving on to the next step.
Make it permanent
Once you have double-checked the placement and you are happy with how it all looks, you are ready to get the adhesive down and lay your tiles. Start in the corner furthest from the door and, using your trowel, apply a layer of adhesive between your line and the closest wall. Dragging your trowel through the adhesive will allow it to spread out to reach the whole surface of the tile. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the bottom edge of your tile, position it flush with the datum line and press down softly to secure it.
Space things out
Use your tile spacers as you go along to avoid the tiles moving together. It will also make your grout lines neat and straight. After each row, make sure all the necessary spacers are in place, using at least two for every large tile. These can be removed once the adhesive is dry.
Do the edges
You need to measure the distance between the tiles you have laid and the wall, making sure you have marked this distance on the tiles you will be using. Once you have made a mark on both ends, join these marks up and this will give you a line to cut across. Simply use your tile cutter to go along your line and press it apart; the tile should break easily, and you can then lay it in the same way as the rest.
Finish off
Use a spirit level to make sure the tiles are all level. If not, you will have to remove the uneven tile and either add or remove adhesive, before replacing. Once level, use a damp sponge to wipe off any excess adhesive. Once the adhesive is dry you can begin grouting.
*How To articles are intended as advice only. Please refer to your completion documents for specific information on lease and covenant restrictions and maintenance of your home.*
