Are you looking to upgrade your bathroom by adding a wet room floor? Tiling your space correctly will ensure that the floor is watertight, eliminating the risk of any moisture getting between the tiles and damaging the subfloor. Follow this comprehensive guide on how to tile a wet room floor for best results.
Preparing for Installation
Before you install your tiles, make sure the area is properly prepared. The floor should be smooth and level, free from debris and dust. If there are any gouges or unevenness in the surface, fill them with an appropriate patching material such as cement-based mortar or self-leveling underlayment.
You’ll also need to choose the right type of adhesive for sticking your tiles down. Make sure it’s suitable for use in a wet room environment, and that it’s designed to be used with your chosen tile type.
Installing the Tiles
Once you’ve ensured the surface is prepped and ready, you can start tiling! Begin in one corner of the room and work outwards using thin-set mortar or another adhesive approved for wet rooms. You’ll want to use either a notched trowel—which will create ridges of adhesive ensuring even coverage—or an electric mixer with a special mixing paddle designed for mixing tile adhesive.
Make sure to evenly spread out thin set throughout your work area before laying down your first few tiles so that they’re all seated correctly against each other as you go along. Use spacers between each tile if necessary, and make sure all edges are lined up with each other before grouting later on.
When laying down mosaics or small tiles, it can be helpful to lay out pieces of cardboard over certain areas once tiled so you don’t accidentally shift them as you go along (work from one corner towards another).
Grouting Your Tiles
Once all of your tiles are laid down, allow plenty of time for everything to dry thoroughly (at least 24 hours). Then when everything is dry and secure, it’s time to grout! Ensure that the grout selected is suitable for use in wet rooms; many only recommend using sanded grout because it has more strength than unsanded varieties when exposed to moisture regularly.
Use a rubber float applicator or other tool specifically made for pushing grout into spaces between tile joints while filling small voids without leaving too much excess behind—a key step in achieving waterproofing around edges where two surfaces meet (bathtub rims etc.). Wipe away any excess immediately using damp sponge after finishing each section before moving on—you won’t have much time before the material dries up again!
Finishing Touches
After allowing enough time (approximately 24 hours) for everything to completely dry, clean off any dirt or debris left behind from tiling and grouting with warm water/detergent mixture (avoid harsh cleaners/scrubbers which could damage sealant). Lastly add sealant around shower tray / bathtub rim where needed then let cure before using room again as normal!
