How To Prepare A Floor For Ceramic Tiles

Ceramic tiles are one of the most durable, long lasting flooring materials that you can use. But, even ceramic tiles are only as good as the floor they’re laid on. If you’re going to install ceramic floor tiles, you’ll need to make some preparations to your flooring first.

Never use ceramic tiles that are made for walls on your floor, they won’t hold up to the traffic. Ceramic tiles that are made specifically for floors are generally thicker than wall tiles and will have a texture that makes them safer. Wall tiles are glazed to be slick and shiny and not appropriate for floors.

Your sub-floor has to be sturdy and level and they shouldn’t be more than an inch thick. You should also remove any existing flooring has a cushioned layer underneath it. If you have a single layer of existing flooring that is not padded or cushioned, you can apply tiles directly on top of it.

Ceramic tiles are best applied to a solid, bare floor. But, if you’re going to apply them on top of another flooring, make sure that you remove any shine that the floor has. You can do this by using sand paper block to scuff the shine.

Any type of existng flooring will also need to be thoroughly cleaned. Debris, wax or grease will keep the ceramic tiles from adhering properly and they’ll pop up and come loose very quickly. Use a good detergent that will cut grease or a good quality wax remover to completely clean the floor.

Removing ceramic tiles can be quite a job, older tiles are usually set in a mortar bed and can be stuck really good. The best way to remove them is with a chisel and a hammer. Break them and then remove them in pieces.

If the tiles aren’t real old and have been laid with an adhesive, heat can help you remove them easier. You can even try using a regular household iron. Lay a piece of material over the tiles, turn the iron to the hottest setting and go over the tiles in a circular motion. The heat usually helps loosen the adhesive so you can remove the tiles.

If you notice any bouncing when you walk across the floor, you’ll need to secure the flooring with more nails or screws. If the under side of the floor is open, you can add bridges between joists for more support. You can also add wood shims to fill any gaps.

If you floors have damaged areas or uneven spots, cement fiber board can be used on top of the floor. Cement fiber board is recommended for use in areas that have a lot of moisture such as kitchens and baths. If you have a cement floor you should check it for cracks or holes and they should be repaired.

Uneven places in cement need to be sanded with a disc sander. For minor knots or bumps in the cement, you can try using a chisel to remove them. Make sure that anytime you sand anything you wear safety goggles to prevent anything from getting into your eyes.

Once your ceramic tiles have been laid, it’s going to be hard to fix any problems that the floor may have. It’s a good idea to lay the tiles down and check them for any areas that aren’t level before actually applying them with the adhesive.

Just remember that ceramic floor tiles aren’t flexible at all. If you’re floor isn’t properly prepared, the tiles won’t stand up and it will cause you more work to repair them. You’ll could also be out a lot of money trying to repair the floor.

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