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Installing ceramic floor tiles
Ceramic tiles are fairly easy to install. Choose them
according to their end use.
Ceramic tiles have one major prerequisite - you must have a
smooth and rigid sub-floor to support the installation. They
are not flexible and therefore can crack if installed over a
rough surface or thin sub-floor. If you must put down a
sub-floor, make sure it doesn't block the openings for
existing doors.
When installing ceramic floor tile in the bathroom, remove
the toilet in order to lay the tiles under toilet base.
Removing ceramic without damage
To remove a piece of split or damaged ceramic tile that must
be replaced, an option that works in some cases consists of
heating the piece with a flat iron covered with a towel. The
heated ceramic tile should pry out easily with a metal
scraper.
Uniform grout joints
To get smooth, uniform grout joints, draw your finger across
the grouted surface that you have already scraped out with a
nail head of the right size to produce a shallow cavity
between the ceramic tiles and the other joints.
Ceramic on solid surfaces
You want to lay down a ceramic floor, but the existing
surface is warped? There are two ways to go. Spread a layer
of cement, making sure that the underlying structure can
support the weight. Or, build a sub-floor over a layer of
tarpaper, levelling the underboards, sixteen inch center to
center, with cedar shims. Cover the entire surface with
tongue and grooved plywood screwed at every eight inches.
Cleaning ceramic after installation
After installing ceramic tiles, wash the tiles with a
solution of water and vinegar to efficiently remove grout
residue and assure a clean, shiny floor.
When
the drill bit slips on the surface
When drilling into a slippery surface like ceramic, stick
some sellotape on the spot and position the drill. It won't
slip as much. |
