Help installing Porcelain tiles.?

Question

Hey guys. Looking for any pro tips on my bathroom remodel. I purchased 18" porcelain tiles that I will be laying down in both of my bathroom floors as well as master shower walls. Currently I have vinyl flooring over concrete foundation that I will be ripping up. I'm also tearing out a shower tub to install a stand up shower. I'll be replacing the walls there with Hardibacker as already recommended to me. Am I headed in the right direction? Any pro tips would be very welcome.

Other questions of note:

Do I really need porcelain specific thinset? that stuff is $25 a bag!

Can I use the same thinset on the concrete foundation as I do the Hardibacker vertical surface?

If I backbutter will a 1/4 trowel work fine?

Do I need to treat the tile and grout after install for the shower?

Answer 1

I ll answer in the order you asked the questions..

No you don t need that thin set just a good modified thin set will work fine.. It ll have a special bonding agent in it .. usually latex. I will suggest you use that thin set over the glue on the floor and a standard modified thin set for the walls to bond to the Hardi.

That size trowel is way to small for that size tile. If thats a size trowel you already own , use that to spread thin set on the floor and a backbutter to get the coverage you ll need. Other wise use a 1/2"x1/2" trowel.Use as a back butter or on the floor. Doing just a backbutter you need to do a smooth coat on the floor for a full bond. The floor , since your not removing all the glue, let it dry a MINIMUM of an extra day for two reasons. One is the thickness of the thin set and two, the thin sets moisture will not "absorb"into the slab because the vinyl glue has sealed it.

Glazed porcelain you don t have to treat at all but unglazed you need to seal (twice) prior to installation. Seal the grout twice after grouting. Usually a minimum of 48 hrs after but check the sealer you bought ..

Just remove any glue "gobs " that be there on the outer edges .

Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

Answer 2

YouTube has hundreds of videos that you will find helpful.



You can put the tile over the glue on the floor if you don't care how long it stays down. That thinset will not adhere for long on glue since it's a hostile surface. You can skip the porcelain thinset too if you don't care how long the tile stays down. Porcelain is not porous, and porcelain thinset is made to adhere to it. Put a regular thinset coat down over the glue and lay floor tile backer board over it in a brick (staggered) pattern. The backer board stands a better chance of remaining on the floor than the tiles, and the tile and you will be much happier if the tile is applied to the backer board. Then apply the porcelain thinset and the tile. The tiles stand a better chance of staying put if you back butter them thinly.



Small tiles look busy. Larger tiles will make the floor seem larger.

Answer 3

Rich Its good idea to treat the tile and grout after install for the shower

Answer 4

unless you bath floors are very large, then a larger tile like you have. for a smaller floor area a smaller tile. it will make the bath appear bigger