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How to Tile It Yourself
If you are going to tile-it-yourself, the tile specialists at Corriveau-Routhier will give you one-on-one assistance to make sure your specific project is done successfully. Everything you need to tile from start to finish is in stock at all three locations. Corriveau-Routhier offers all the advice you need and will loan you a tile cutter free with your tile purchase. Ask about C&R’s lifetime guarantee for residential floor systems.
The following are general instructions to lay floor tile with short videos to guide you. The best way is one-on-one at your nearest C&R location where along with the best do-it-right advice you’ll receive written, illustrated instructions with your tile purchase. As every tile situation differs, it’s best to get the right advice when it comes to your adhesives and grout.
| Measuring for Amount of Tile Needed: |
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Measure the length and width of the area you want to tile. Multiply the length x the width to figure your square footage. We suggest you lay out on paper a diagram of the area you wish to tile and mark down the measurements as shown. Section and square off each area then add the square footage of each area together for the total. (diagram) When you bring in your diagrams with measurements, C&R will tell you exactly how much tile you will need (including overage) as well as recommend the amount and type of adhesive, grout, etc you’ll need for your specific project. |
Plan to spend quite a bit of time on this step. Open several boxes of tile and determine where tile should be placed to avoid small pieces. A center line drawn on the floor is where the tiled area will be most visible. Lay out your tile dry from top to bottom of center line. Then lay out one row horizontally. Adjust your pieces as necessary before any cutting or mixing of adhesive.
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| Cutting Tiles: |
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| The most efficient way to cut tiles (straight cuts only) is with a manual tile cutter or “snapper” (see video). C&R will loan you a heavy duty tile cutter FREE with tile purchase and you will be shown how to use it and try some cuts yourself before you leave the showroom. For more complicated and exact cuts you can rent a wet saw from your local rental company. Nippers for smaller, unusual cuts are for sale at all locations. |
| Adhesive: |
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Place ¼ to ½ of the bag of thinset into a mixing tub or bucket. Pour in additive (never use water except over a cement floor) and mix to a consistency of oatmeal or peanut butter (better thick than thin). See video for correct consistency. Mix well until all lumps are dissolved and mixture is smooth Let slake (set) for 5 minutes. Have two water buckets and sponges ready. Keep area and tools clean! When through with adhesive, rinse everything thoroughly, preferably outside. Do not pour adhesive clean up water down house drains. Clean tools, buckets, etc thoroughly.
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| Laying Tiles: |
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Make sure that you are using the right-sized notched trowel for the tile you have selected. Start near the back of your project and work towards your exit. (see diagram) Place adhesive on floor and spread evenly with notched trowel. Do NOT skimp on adhesive! Keep area clean with sponges in water buckets. Place tiles onto adhesive (using spacers if desired) and press down on each tile. Do not wiggle tiles too much as it will break the bond between thinset and tile. Rub hands over tiles you’ve placed or use a level to check if tiles are placed evenly (no high or low points). Do not walk on tiles for 24 hours. Wait 24-48 hours before grouting.
Tile Cleaning
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Empty contents of Spectralock bucket. Place part A into the bucket. Place Part B into the bucket and mix A and B together thoroughly. A margin trowel works well . Add ¾ of the powder/color and mix until you have a creamy peanut butter or cookie dough consistency (stiffer rather than soupy). You have 60 minutes to use this bucket of grout. Using margin trowel, take grout and place onto grout lines only. Use a rubber float to spread. Using float as a squeegee (not necessary to spread grout over whole tile), press grout into the whole joint. Use finger to smooth grout lines. What you see when grouting is what you’ll get when grout dries. It is important to clean grout and tiles thoroughly, but do not use too much water while you’re grouting as water in the joints will cause air bubbles. Empty clean up water buckets outside, not in house drains. Cleaners have been added to the Spectralock so it is much easier than older formulas to keep clean. Keep all lint and dust away from grouted area for 72 hours. It is ok to walk on tiles after 24 hours, but mind the grout.
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Mixing Grout
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Grouting
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Grout Cleaning
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