Install Your Bathroom Tile in A Weekend

Photo by Charles

Bathroom renovations are not cheap. The average renovation costs around $10,000. However, if you are trying to cut costs, tiling a bathroom yourself can be a great way to keep costs low. With the right tools and some preparation, it is possible to do it yourself.

Preparation

When tiling a bathroom, the first step is to measure the floor you are going to tile with a tape measure. Doing so will help you determine how many tiles you need so you can buy the right amount. You also need to buy grout, mortar, and backing board. This will help you to avoid having mismatched tiles later on down the road. You then want to prepare the underlayment so you have a steady surface to lay your tiles on. Cement board is a great surface for underlayment.

You can use a circular saw to cut out the panels to fit the bathroom floor. Use a jigsaw to cut out a hole for the toilet and the sink cabinet. Attach the underlayment to the subfloor with backer board screws. The screws should be six inches away from each other and lay flat. You then want to figure out the layout of the tiles using tile spacers to keep the tiles evenly spaced. The next step is to measure the tiles that need to be cut. Use a tile saw to cut the tiles. Lay the cut tiles out so that you are sure you like the floor design.

Start Tiling

In small sections, use a notched trowel to apply a thin layer of thinset mortar on the underlayment. Put the tiles over the mortar a few at a time using the tile spacers to keep them evenly spaced. Leave the mortar to dry for 24 hours. After 24 hours, remove the spacers. Mix the grout and use a grout float to fill in the gaps between the tiles. Use a damp sponge or cloth to wipe away excess grout. Wait 24 hours for the grout to set before walking on the tile. When the grout is dry, apply a grout sealer to reduce future stains and to protect the grout.

The Wrap Up

With the right tools, tiling a bathroom floor is a breeze. Simply measure your floor. Attach the underlayment to the subfloor. Figure out the layout of the tiles. Cut the tiles. Attach the tiles to the underlayment. Add grout. Add grout sealer. Do all these things, and you can knock out this project in a weekend.