Common Mistakes When Installing Tile Floor
Installing tile floors is the go-to method for modernizing the look of a home. No matter what style of tile you choose, tile done wrong will have a negative effect on the look of your home. Don’t let this stop you from attempting this DIY project. We are going to show you how to do tiling the right way. Follow these steps from our professional tile contractor and you will be tiling like a pro.
Wrong Trowel Size
The size of your trowel needs to match the size of the tile. The larger the tile you are using, the deeper the thin set needs to be. To create the deeper thin set you need a trowel with deep notches. The deeper notches allow for adjusting while installing the tile floor. Make sure the thin set you buy has phrasing like “large tile” or “large format” on it. This thin set is thicker and holds the larger tiles.
Cracking The Tile
When cutting tile, take some precautions to make sure you do not break them. Too many broken tiles will become wasteful and expensive. Using a diamond wet saw is the perfect method for cutting tile. A diamond saw blade is abrasive and not toothed. Before cutting, mark the tile with a pencil. You can use a regular lead or grease pencil for this. Place the tile against the fence and line up the line with the blade. You will need to wait for the water to flow after turning the saw on.
Wrong Underlayment
The underlayment is the surface that the tile that gets installed. You need a flat, even, and strong surface. If you do not have this your tile will sag and crack in places. If your underlayment is not suitable put down 1/4 to 1/2 inch cement board first. Then lay your tile on top of the board. If you have old vinyl flooring that is suitable you can tile right over it. This is assuming that the floor is thick enough to support the tile.
If you need the assistance of a professional tile contractor, you can always turn to Hernandez Tile N Stone. We are one of the trusted flooring service providers in Terrell, TX. To have us, don’t hesitate to contact us at (972) 481-4628 now!