I have linoleum flooring in my kitchen, which is the best way to install porcelain or ceramic tiles.?

Question

I'am replacing the linoleum in my kitchen, and I have already picked out a tile. What is the right way to install the porcelain/ ceramic tiles. Please I need help. I'm not doing it myself, I already have a contractor, but I want to know if he really knows what he is doing. I dont need any answers that are bs. I need good, solid answers please.

Answer 1

You may get better answers, but here is my 2 cents worth. Pull up the linoleum first, scrape off the old glue so the floor is good and flat.(assuming your floor is concrete) It is best to use "modified thin set" as it has better adhesive properties to glue down the tiles. The "glue" is spread using a notched trowel. The tiles are set on the glue. At this point the hardest and most critical part is to keep the tiles level and evenly spaced. Don't walk on newly laid tiles for 24 hours. You can check the quality of the job at this point. Go around and tap on the tiles, if any of the tiles sound hollow, they need to be replaced. It means the glue did not adhere under all of the tile. Walking on a hollow tile will cause the grout to crack later.
Then the tiles are grouted, let the grout dry and apply a good sealer. You could prolly get some good advise from wherever you buy the tiles, home depot, Lowe's or some place like that also.

Answer 2

You will have to lift the linoleum flooring off. You will need a 3/4" plywood sub-floor laid down first before installing your tiles. I really recommend putting the heater coils under the tiles. Depending on where you live. But tile floors are very cold and the heaters are not that expensive. But you will be so glad you did it afterwards. Your contractor will know all about them and you will have to pick out a colour for the grout afterwards and stay off the grout and sealer for a good 24 - 48 hours. Good Luck

Answer 3

I hope you're talking about 12 inch tiles and not 4 inch. 4 inch leaves grout showing and is impossible to keep clean. going with 12 inch a sub floor needs to be installed. that comes in 4 foot by 4 foot sheets. this gives you a workable surface and makes everything level. if the floor is plywood thats ok. next do not use self adhesive. that stuff sucks big time. then as long as there is no slop of adhesive it should look nice. and don't let anyone get away with not going under the fridge, freezer, stoves or whatever. I know what you mean about not trusting some contractors. Most are really good, then you get one who just wants your money.

Answer 4

well hes gonna rip it off then find a straight line to go off of to make sure he lays the tiles in a straight line or he will draw a chalk line to go off that hopefully the floor will be smooth enough then he will smear the glue on using a trowel and lay the tile one corner of the room at a time.once the tile is all layed out then he will grout the lineslet the grout dry the put water on the tiles so that the grout cures then put on a sealer

Answer 5

if you have the clearance first check for level then add a layer of wonder board which will add seven sixteens of an inch to the floor then use fiberglass tape on the seams next use thin set morterto set the tiles after it sets for 24 hrs then you grout the tile when grouting you should go mside to side or at a 45%angled groves

Answer 6

1st thing he should do after taking up the old floor covering is to make sure the floor is level, this is done by pouring self leveling cement on the floor( a very runny cement). you then measure the room across the length and breadth and mark the centres of the walls giving you a large cross on the floor, where the lines cross is the centre of the room, you then lay your 1st tile in one of right angles of the cross and lay the tiles to the wall, you do this in all 4 right angles and then lay the rest of the tiles in each 1/4 of the room, leaving any tile cutting till last.