Concrete Floor Over Ceramic Tile
Home Improvement: How to Install Ceramic Tile in Your Home… a Novice Guide to Success
HOME IMPROVEMENT: HOW TO INSTALL CERAMIC TILE IN YOUR HOME…A NOVICE GUIDE TO SUCCESS
When it comes to beautiful flooring nothing can be more breathtaking than ceramic tile that’s elegant and heart warming. Yes, when it comes to interior decorating, beautiful flooring that has been tastefully chosen and masterfully installed always take center stage; at least that is how I see it. I am a home improvement contractor that has been in the business for almost a quarter of a century and I am still awe struck by flooring that is exquisite in its appearance and superbly installed by quality craftsmen that go the extra mile to ensure that the job is well done.
I truly believe that it is within most homeowners’ ability to install ceramic tile and achieve excellent results also. Even without a whole lot of experience you can still do a great job if you apply yourself and follow instructions that I’m going to share with you. There is a wealth of information out there on how to install ceramic tile and I personally insist that you read it and subscribe to it; after all, the more quality information you attain the more it should enhance your performance–right? Right. And I feel that I have some worthy information that will help you do a better job, so let’s begin the journey.
PREPARATION: THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT
If it’s one thing that I have found to be paramount in the home improvement business it’s this: preparation! preparation! preparation! It doesn’t matter what particuliar task you are attempting to do, in order to do it right you must lay a good solid foundation…metaphorically speaking. In other words, you must prepare to begin. For example, before you begin to lay ceramic tile you must make sure that the flooring or substrate that you are going to install the tile over is solid, clean, level and in good shape. And this is where we will begin.
Getting The Subfloor Ready
If your home is built on a slab (concrete) and it’s not level and there are cracks that are wider than an inch, running diagonally, then it is imperative that you have a license foundation contractor take a look at it. Hopefully, it will not be as bad as it look, but if it is as bad as it looks, then here is an opportunity for you to rectify this problem now. Once the problem has been solved you’re ready to continue. Assuming that the floor is now level you are ready to begin your ceramic tiling job. Whatever type flooring you had down prior to having your slab repaired is of no consequence at this point as long as it has been properly removed and disposed of according to state and local requirements. But before you start laying tiles there are a few things that should take place first of all.
Note: If you are attempting to lay ceramic tile on a subfloor that is wood be sure to check and see if the wood subflooring is sound enough to install ceramic tile on. If not, have the wood subflooring repaired/replaced at once before proceeding to move forward. Once you’re ready to move forward make sure that the wood subflooring is screwed down to the flooring joist with quality deck screws that are from 2 inches to 3 inches long. Take the time to make sure the subflooring is screwed tightly to the floor’s joist before moving on. Before installing ceramic tile on a wood subfloor you should put down a quality cement board that is manufactured by a quality company and be sure and use the best fastners you can afford to buy. Make sure the cement board is down tight and fasten securely to the subfloor. Then and only then are you ready to install ceramic tile.Learn More
About the Author
Donald Thomas is owner and CEO of American Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. He is a home improvement contractor that started out in 1984.Our website http://www.americanpaintingandpressurecleaninginc.com
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