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DIY Instructions for Ceramic Tile Installation
Installing your own tile can save money and is easier than you might think. Follow these 10 Simple Steps to create a beautifully tiled kitchen backsplash, bathroom, fireplace, or floor. Here are the materials and tools you will need. Good luck and have fun!
Before You Begin
1. Verify Your Order
Is it correct and complete?
2. Layout Your Project
Arrange your tiles to enhance the variation inherent in their handmade character. Make sure they fit the measurments of the space to be tiled.
3. Locate Cuts
Find which tiles you need to cut. We recommend a wet saw for straight, clean cuts. Cut the tile glaze side down, to prevent the finished edge from chipping.
Select a Surface
Tile adheres well to concrete, which comes in several forms.
POURED CONCRETE
Do not cover the surface with a sealer.
HARDIEBACKER™
This ceramic tile backer board comes in many different thicknesses. Score and cut it like sheetrock or with a masonry saw blade.
UNPAINTED SHEETROCK aka DensShield™
Unpainted sheetrock is the next best surface for adherence. Wood does not make a good surface, except for small projects, as it tends to warp.
4. Prepare the Surface
Tile needs to be applied to structurally sound surfaces, free from oil, grease, dust, loose or peeling paint, sealers or curing compounds. Sand any painted surfaces. Clean all surfaces with a dry towel before starting.
Adhere Tile
Clay Squared recommends a thinset mortar. Wear rubber gloves. Mix only as much mortar as you can set in 20-30 minutes. For small projects, use 100% clear silicone, available in a caulk gun.
5. Mix Mortar
Follow manufacturer’s directions: pour thinset mortar powder into a bucket. Slowly add water. Use a trowel to mix thoroughly until mixture reaches a creamy, peanut-butter consistency.
6. Spread Mortar
Use a notched trowel to spread mortar mixture across the surface to be tiled. To guarantee full coverage, “back butter” the tile (thinly apply mortar to the tile back).
7. Let Tiles Set 24-48 Hours
Grout
The filler between tile joints is not an adhesive, but rather a concrete material, called grout.
SANDED
Use for joints 1/8” and larger. (Sanded grout will NOT scratch the glazed surface of your tile.)
UNSANDED
Use for joints less than 1/8”. This includes most commercial tile.
EPOXY
Epoxy is the strongest of grouts. It comes sanded or unsanded, with added polymer chemicals.
8. Mask Dimensional or Matte Tiles
Apply masking tape to face of dimensional or matte tiles prior to grouting. This speeds cleanup, preventing grout from sticking to unglazed, awkward areas. Remove tape after grout has been cleaned.
9. Fill Joints
Wear rubber gloves. Force grout diagonally into joints with a rubber grout float or gloved hand. Ensure joints are completely filled. Wipe clean with a dry paper towel until haze is entirely gone. Do not use water.
10. Cure Grout 24 Hours
Allow grout to cure 24 hours before using tiled surface or applying an optional sealer.
Clean-Up
DO NOT DUMP any mortar or grout water IN THE SINK ? it destroys plumbing.?ALWAYS clean your hands, tools and buckets with a SEPARATE BUCKET of clean water.
Installation Instructions for Clay Squared Art Tiles and Accessories
Installing Switch Plates
Our ceramic switch plates come supplied with color matching plastic screws. Use a screw driver to tighten screws by hand. Do not use power tools to install switch plates.?Ceramic switch plates do not bend. They will break if screws are overtightened.
DO NOT overtighten screws.
DO NOT use power tools.
Installing House Numbers
Hold your house numbers up to the side of your house and mark the hole location with a pencil. Pre-drill holes. Use a masonry bit to drill holes into any stucco exterior. Ceramic house numbers do not bend and will break if screws are overtightened.
DO NOT overtighten screws.
DO NOT use power tools.
Installing Medieval Floral Tiles
To Hang: Use the impressions on the back of the tile to hang either horizontally or at a 45 degree angle. It is recommended the tile be hung from a screw in the wall.
Every Medieval Floral tile is a one of a kind, hand carved, bas relief tile made by Josh Blanc. Each tile is individually hand glazed and fired.
Installing Cosmic Spot Art Tile
To Hang: Use either a gallery hanger or install a screw in the wall.
Every Cosmic Spot is a one of a kind, handmade tile created by Josh Blanc.
