Tips and Tricks for Home-Owners
Alita Tile Inc. will not only help you select the tile that will refresh the look of your rooms, but we will also advise you on how to take care of your tiles.
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How To: Install Your Own Tile
Ceramic/porcelain Tile
- Step 1: Make sure your area is clean, dry and smooth. Set the tiles along the layout lines in both directions without any mortar. Make sure the finished layout looks good to you, THEN we can start laying them with the mortar.
- Step 2: After you make the marks on where the tiles will be placed, pick up the loose tiles and set them aside.
- Step 3: Mix your thin-set mortar. Only mix a little bit at a time, and make more when needed. Spread the mortar on the floor using your notched trowel. You can ask anyone at Alita Tile the proper way to mix your mortar and which sized trowel you should use for your project!
- Step 4: Spread thin-set mortar on the layout lines about 3 feet by 3 feet. You can use a notched trowel for this step. Trowels can come with different sized notches. Check with Alita Tile for their recommendation on the right size for your project!
- Step 5: Start laying the tiles, starting in the center of the layout lines. Set each tile by tapping it gently with a rubber mallet. Plastic spacers can be used to maintain even grout lines between the tiles. Pick these up from Alita when you get your tiles, and place them at each tile corner.
- Step 6: Continue to repeat the process of laying the tiles, until you’ve covered your first area. Then, repeat steps 4 and 5 for the remainder of the other sections. Remove any excess mortar with a damp sponge.
- Step 7: After all the tiles are set, mix the grout and install by using a rubber grout float. Press the grout into the gaps with a sweeping motion.
- Step 8: Allow the mortar to dry for at least 24 hours, and enjoy your beautiful new ceramic or porcelain floor!
Marble Tile
- Step 1: Make sure your base is smooth, flat and water-resistant. You may choose to add a cement board if you have a wood subfloor, to better help install your marble tile. Spread a thin set of the cement board over the wood using a notched trowel. Lay the cement board sheets into a thin set, and fasten them to the subfloor with cement board screws. Don’t forget to leave about 1/8” of space at the seams of the boards that meet the walls. Apply cement board joint tape over the seams using a drywall knife. Make sure all seams are smooth and flat.
- Step 2: Create reference lines on the surface of the cement board. Use chalk to mark a path between the two opposing walls. This will divide the room in half. Divide the floor into four equal quadrants.
- Step 3: Check your layout and dry-lay each tile as if it was your finished project. Do NOT use any mortar yet.
- Step 4: Mix your thin-set mortar. Only mix a little bit at a time, and make more when needed. Spread the mortar on the floor using your notched trowel. You can ask anyone at Alita Tile the proper way to mix your mortar and which sized trowel you should use for your project!
- Step 5: Spread enough mortar so the entire bottom of your marble tile is covered, and make sure the entire surface is notched. Gently press the tile into place, aligning two of its edges with your chalked lines.
- Step 6: Tap the tile gently with a rubber mallet to ensure it is secure. Marble is a softer tile than others and can crack easily, be very careful not to tap too hard.
- Step 7: Plastic spacers can be used to maintain even lines between the tiles. Pick these up from Alita when you get your tiles, and place them at each tile corner.
- Step 8: Allow at least 24 hours for the mortar to dry. Remove any excess mortar once it is fully dry.
- Step 9: You’re almost done! Again, marble is a softer material so it is very important to seal your tiles with a marble sealant from Alita Tile. Use a thin coat of sealant and a foam brush to smooth it out.
- Step 10: After all the tiles are set, mix the grout and install by using a rubber grout float. Press the grout into the gaps with a sweeping motion.
- Step 11: Wipe your tiles clean and enjoy your beautiful new marble floor!
Glass Tile
- Step 1: Make sure your area is clean, dry and smooth. Measure from top to bottom of your tile layout. Mark the center part of the wall, and draw a horizontal line using chalk or pencil. This will help guide you as you place your tiles!
- Step 2: Mix your thin-set mortar. Only mix a little bit at a time, and make more when needed. Spread the mortar on the wall using your notched trowel. You can ask anyone at Alita Tile the proper way to mix your mortar and which sized trowel you should use for your project! When applying glass tile, cover about a 2 square foot area at a time.
- Step 3: Begin to lay out your tiles starting with your bottom row of tiles. Use a rubber float to set the tile with the adhesive.
- Step 4: Plastic spacers can be used to maintain even lines between the tiles. Pick these up from Alita when you pick up your tiles, and place them at each tile corner.
- Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the entire area is covered that you want to tile. Allow at least 24 hours for the mortar to dry.
- Step 6: Mix the grout and install by using a rubber grout float. Apply the grout mix diagonally across the tiles using your rubber float. Wait about 10 minutes, then wipe away excess with a sponge.
- Step 7: Repeat this step for each space of tile, then apply the grout sealer.
- Step 8: Fill in any gaps with caulk, and enjoy your beautiful new glass tile!
Ceramic Tile Care
When cleaning ceramic tile make sure to use mild soap and water. Use recommended tile and grout cleaners when cleaning your tile. Do not use bleach ammonia or vinegar to clean your tile. The tile should not be affected by these products, but your grout will be.
Porcelain Tile Care
Porcelain tiles are very hard and durable. They can be cleaned by using a hard bristled brush if necessary without damaging it. As far as cleaning porcelain you can use almost any bathroom cleaning product, but again you have to consider your grout so stay away from bleach ammonia and vinegar or anything too acidic.
Travertine/ Marble Care
Marble and travertine should be sealed 1-4 times a year depending on where it is being used. In a shower area, we suggest you seal your stone 2-3 times a year. If their is not a lot of moisture you can get away with only sealing 1-2 times a year. As far as cleaning marble or travertine goes stick to mild soaps and water or recommended tile grout and stone cleaning products. Do not use abrasive materials when cleaning these stones as they could possibly scratch.
Glass Tile
Glass is easy to clean just like ceramic or porcelain tile. Do not use abrasive products to clean glass tiles. When cleaning glass tiles use the same products you would use to clean ceramic and porcelain tiles. Do not use products containing bleach, ammonia or anything very acidic, because you do not want to ruin your grout or strip your sealer on your grout.
GROUT TIPS
Seal your grout once a year with miracle 511 porous plus sealer or 511 impregnator pre mix your grout with miracle grout shield in replace of water wipe down area after a shower or bath to keep moisture off of grout use tile & stone cleaner diluted with warm water to clean tile & grout
Do not use
Bleach or anything that contains bleach such as clorox, tilex etc
Ammonia or anything that contains ammonia such as windex
Do not use anything acidic such as vinegar