How To Prepare A Concrete Floor For Tile Installation

Install tile directly on the concrete floor.

How to prepare a concrete floor for tile installation.

The next step is to apply a concrete sealer on the floor surface. Use a trowel to apply and use the edge to ensure the patch has edges level with the surrounding concrete. To prepare your concrete subfloor make sure that it can accept water penetration. As with a wooden subfloor a concrete subfloor must be level for successful tile installation.

A sound surface is necessary when preparing concrete floor for tile installation. It will also provide a stronger adhesion between mortar and concrete. If it tests positive follow these asbestos abatement procedures. One of the first steps in refinishing a basement or turning a garage.

Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the subfloor. Most floor tiles made from the 1920s to the 1960s contain asbestos and require special procedures for removal. A concrete floor is a good base for laying ceramic tiles provided it is level and free of cracks or abrasions. In many cases you can lay tile directly on the concrete surface which is naturally hard and durable.

This option works best when the concrete floor is in good condition so take care to follow all of the steps below to repair cracks fill depressions and make sure the floor is level. A concrete sealer prevents moisture from staying underneath the ceramic tiles. Self leveling compound can be purchased at your local home improvement store and applied to the concrete floor prior to tiling. In addition we recommend you to sprinkle water on the concrete surface before installing the ceramic tiles to increase the bond of the adhesive.

Step 3 plan your layout. Seal off the area with poly sheeting. Patch little cracks or holes with a cement patching compound. Vacuum the residues and the particles before starting the tile installation as to make sure the thin set will lock them to the concrete sub floor.

Concrete floors are durable and easy to clean but not very attractive. This is an optional step but can really benefit your tile installation in the long run. Cracks and depressions may create weak spots that cause tile to crack in the future.