How do you tile a floor?

Tile a floor by preparing the surface, applying mastic to the backer board, placing and cutting the tile, applying grout and adding sealer. The amount of time needed varies, and you need backer board, self-leveling cement, screws, tiles, a grout sponge, spacers, mastic, a trowel, grout, sealer and a wet saw.

1. Prepare the surface

   Prepare the surface by leveling the floor with self-leveling cement. Once the floor is level, install backer board. It is upon the backer board that you lay the tile.

2. Apply mastic

   Apply mastic or adhesive to the backer board using a trowel. Only cover one section of the backer board at a time with mastic to prevent the material from drying out.

3. Place the tile

   Lay the tile on the wet mastic, and press it down. Place spacers at the corners of the tile before laying down another tile.

4. Cut hard-to-fit pieces of tile

   Use the wet saw to cut any tile needed to fit the edges and corners of the floor.

5. Add the grout

   Apply grout to the gaps between the tiles with a grout sponge. Clean away any excess grout on the tiles before it dries.

6. Finish the area with sealer

   Once the grout dries completely, add sealer. This protects the grout from water damage.