Ceramic tile is easier to install than most other types of floor coverings; it is less technical and more forgiving than vinyl sheet goods and wood. If you follow this step-by-step guide, your installation will be as professional as one of a seasoned pro. Proper Planning is Key!

TOOLS NEEDED:
Carpenters Square: Use as a straight edge and squaring tool
Level: Use to establish an even working plane
Tape Measure: Use for accurate measurements
Fiber Glass Tape: Use to tape joints
Backerboard Screws: Use to secure subfloor
Chalk Line: Use as a guide when laying tile
2 Buckets: For grout & adhesive
Tile Spacers: Use for precise tile alignment
Scrub Pad: Grout cleaning tool
Grout Float: Use to apply grout
Rubber Gloves
Firm, Round Edge Sponge: Will not leave excess liquid, is super absorbent.
Mixer Bar:Use to mix mortar
Rub Stone:Use to smooth edges
Notched Trowel:Use to spread adhesive
Notched Margin Trowel: Use to spread adhesive
Margin Float: Use to apply grout
8" Margin Trowel: Use to mix & apply mortar & grout
*Tile Nippers: Needed to bite harder grade tiles
*Hand Held Micro Cutter: Use to cut tile
*Tile Cutter: Used for straight or angle cuts

THE TILE SHOP OFFERS FREE USE OF CERAMIC CUTTING TOOLS (with deposit)

SUBFLOOR PREPARATION:
Concrete, masonry, cured mortar beds and plywood surfaces to be tiled flat, structurally sound, dry and free from oil, grease, dust, loose paint, sealers or curing compounds. All contaminants must be removed with TILE NEUTRAL CLEANER, or by sanding, scraping or chipping. Any imperfections the floor should be patched with a waterproof patching compound.

LAYING OUT THE FLOOR:
Snap chalk lines with a 90 degree intersection, preferably in the center of the room. (Since all rooms vary in size and shape, consult your sales representative for specific details / hints regarding your project.) The more time you invest in laying out your area the better your project will go. Solve your lay-out questions before the adhesive is even mixed.

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
For best results, all tiling materials, room and adhesives should be at 50 to 70 degrees for 24 hours before and 48 hours after installation. Thoroughly mix the PRO-FLEX / PRO-FLEX PLATINUM with clean water to a “toothpaste” consistency. (Use PRO-FLEX PLATINUM or PRO-LASTIC Mortar when installing porcelain or granite tile.) When mixing either PRO-FLEX or PRO-FLEX PLATINUM Mortar with water, allow to stand 5 minutes to permit the water to react with the latex fortified thinset mortar. Restir and use. It is best to only mix what can be used in 30 minutes. Stir mixture occasionally to keep creamy, but DO NOT retemper with water as it will weaken the mix. In the event the mix becomes stiff in the pail, discard and make a fresh batch.

When tiling over an old glue residue, existing ceramic tile or paint, use PROLASTIC Part A and Part B. This admixture is designed to bond ceramic tile to “questionable surfaces.” Mix this two-part adhesive system together to a creamy consistency.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
First apply your Mortar using the flat side of the trowel to promote substrate contact. Then, using the recommended notch trowel at a 45 degree angle, spread the Mortar uniformly in a ridged pattern (refer to illustration). Continue applying mortar in a straight pattern. Do not “swirl” the trowel, as this creates uneven heights in the mortar.

Spread only an area that can be tiled in 10 to 15 minutes (or while surface is still tacky). Press tile into Mortar with a slight twisting motion. To prevent any voids or air pockets under the tile, use a small block of wood or rubber mallet and carefully tap the top of each tile to insure complete contact with Mortar. DO NOT attempt to set tile into Mortar which has dried.

STAY OFF THE TILE FOR 24 HOURS.

NO HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR 72 hours.

GROUTING:
After the Mortar has dried 24 hours, you are ready to grout. There are a variety of grout colors available to enhance the look of your tile floor. When working with grout it is mandatory to keep conditions as consistent as possible throughout the job: moisture, temperature, mixing and application.

MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix the grout powder with FLEXIBLE GROUT ADMIXTURE (in place of water), and mix to a “toothpaste” consistency. It is better to mix no more than can be used within 20 minutes. Mix well. Mix each batch until all the pigments are dispersed and wet. Then allow the grout to stand for 5 minutes and mix again. The mixing time for each batch should be the same.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Use a GROUT FLOAT to work the grout into the tile joints (refer to illustration below). Skim off the excess grout with the edge of the Grout Float and wipe the tile immediately with a damp GROUT SPONGE (rinse the Grout Sponge frequently and change the rinse water regularly). It is better to grout small areas at a time so no grout will dry on the face of the tile. Remove all of the grout with the exception of a fine film. This film can be buffed off in 30 to 45 minutes using a clean, dry cloth. For particularly tough areas where grout was inadvertently left on the tile after the clean-up phase, use GROUT HAZE AND LATEX FILM REMOVER with a scrub pad.

SEALING GROUT:
After grout has dried 48 to 72 hours, seal all grout joints with PENETRATING SEALER or STONE SEAL to reduce maintenance and to retain the grout color. PENETRATING SEALER is a belowsurface sealer which reduces water penetration for interior and exterior applications. When applying PENETRATING SEALER to the grout, wipe excess sealer off the face of the tile IMMEDIATELY with a dry paper towel.

For weekly cleaning of your tile and grout, use GROUT & TILE NEUTRAL CLEANER. This is a neutral cleaner and will not strip the sealer from the grout joint and because it is not a soap, it is equally effective in hard or soft, hot or cold water. In the event you experience a stain or difficult soil problem, use HEAVY DUTY GROUT AND TILE CLEANER mixed with water and work it into the area with a GROUT BRUSH or SCRUB PAD.