How do I install ceramic floor tile in a basement bathroom?

Question

We are laying ceramic tile in the bathroom in the finished basement. The floor is concrete. Is it necessary to lay the cement backer board first?

Answer 1

no, you don't need backer board. backer board is use to take the flex out of wood floors concrete does not need it.
do not apply a sealer to the floor. i recently spent a week grinding sealer off of a costumers basement floor because they sealed it before calling me to do their floors. the thin set manufacture would not warranty the job unless the sealer was ground off. good luck with your project. remember most credible flooring installers will be more than willing be answer a few brief questions for a diy person. just remember the key words few and brief.

Answer 2

Both glazed Bathroom Ceramic Tiles can be laid directly onto a concrete floor, as long as the floor is dry and in good sound condition. After the floor has been nicely prepared what now? Well, the next step is to start laying out those tiles of yours. If you want the end result to look professional, then careful setting out of the tiles will be required.
Now here comes the part of installing the Bathroom Ceramic Tiles which isn't a very complex job. Instructions on how to lay the Bathroom Ceramic Tiles, arrange, cement and other attributes are all over the Internet or home improvement guides. At the onset, you need to find the center of the floor and lay the tiles from there as it creates a feeling of visual symmetry. When arranging the tiles, you must make sure that the Bathroom Ceramic Tiles design is laid such that it creates continuity in the design.

And yes, ensure that your tiles blend with the color of the wall or the general theme of your bathroom wall and the fittings. You could also install a tile heater to give your feet the warmth as you step on it, a very good feature to have especially during winters or to avoid that sharp chill you'd encounter early in the morning. You could also use a relatively warm color shade to offset the cool look of the bathroom fixtures.

Check the website below, for more options...

http://www1.webng.com/bathroomplans

Answer 3

Basement Bathroom Flooring

Answer 4

Laying ceramic tile to concrete slab is a common application. The only thing you need to look for is a bond inhibitor in the form of a sealant on the slab. Do a quick test: sprinkle some water on the concrete and wait 5 minutes. If the water has not remained beaded on the surface, you are good to go.

Assuming, of course, that the surface is clean of dirt or oils that could act as bond-breakers to the thinset.

Lowes offers the Laticrete-made thinset and grout that is covered by a lifetime residential warranty system. Look into it.

Answer 5

No. You must first clean the concrete. Use TSP from a hardware store.
Then make sure the floor is flat and level. Sometimes basement floors are pitched towards a floor drain. If the floor needs to be leveled, contact Tom Silva at "This Old House." It appears on PBS. He had to do that very thing last year.
After the floor is level, add a sealer.
When that dries, use thin set mortar to set the tiles, then grout, then clean.

Answer 6

No you do not have to install backer board if the concrete floor is not crumbling.

However I recommend a light etching with dilute HCL (hydrochloric acid/Muriatic) this can be found in most Hardware or home improvement stores.

Reason is it opens up the surface and provides more retention for the adhesive material.