- 1). Prepare the surface for the tile. Sweep debris from floors or wipe down walls. Sand rough spots smooth with sandpaper.
- 2). Measure the area with a tape measure. Transfer the measurements to backer board, which is cement board material that helps support the tile. Cut the backer board to size with a jigsaw and concrete blade.
- 3). Install new backer board using appropriate screws and a drill with a screw drill bit. Cut around fixtures --- such as toilet openings --- using the jigsaw.
- 4). Dry fit the tile to determine appropriate spacing. For large rooms, measure the room to find its center and snap a chalk line to mark the room.
- 5). Apply tile mud in a small area of the floor with a one-quarter inch notched trowel. Only apply enough mud so you can cover it with tile in about 15 minutes.
- 6). Lay a piece of tile onto the mud. Press down firmly to ensure the tile fits snugly. Place spacers on each side of the tile.
- 7). Finishing laying the tile. Allow the mud to dry for at least 24 hours.
- 8). Mix grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Apply the grout following the provided instructions.
- 9). Wipe the grout film off the tile with a sponge. Wait until the grout is dry to avoid ruining the grout.
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