Laying Tile for Rectified Edges

Vacuum the floor well to remove any dust, debris or material that may interfere with the leveling compound. The finished floor must be dry, clean and free of debris.

Pour self-leveling floor compound over the subfloor. The compound will seek out any hills and valleys in the floor and will level them to provide a smooth, even surface for installing the tiles. Rectified tiles can still contain some warpage due to the firing process. Because they are typically installed so close together, lipping or bowing of the tiles may occur if the floor is not completely level.

Allow the floor compound to dry completely and then lay out the tiles on the floor to determine the pattern you wish to install them. Begin in the center of the wall furthest from the door and work out to the edges to provide a balanced installation. Practice setting the tiles 1/16-inch apart with the help of the spacers to fit the tiles properly.

Cut the tiles to fit the edges of the installation on a tile wet saw. Double check their placement with the other tiles in the dry layout before removing the tiles from the floor in the reverse order they were laid down.

Spread a layer of thin set mortar over the floor where the tiles will be laid using a trowel. Use only as much mortar as you can lay tiles on within 10 to 15 minutes. Replace the tiles in the mortar in the same pattern you determined earlier. Place the grout spacers between the tiles on each side to help keep the rows straight and even.

Beat the tiles into the mortar with a rubber mallet to get them all to the same depth. Watch for corners that may be higher than others; beat or press these tiles deeper into the mortar bed.

Let the tiles dry for 24 hours, then grout them. Use unsanded grout and spread it over the joints from various angles with a grout float. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle to help spread and pack the grout, then turn it to 90 degrees to help scrape off excess grout from the tiles themselves.

Let the grout dry for 10 minutes and then clean off the surface of the tiles with a damp sponge. Make several passes with a clean sponge over each tile until they are completely clean. Let the tiles dry overnight.