Content

• Steps
• Tips
• What do you need

Finishing concrete surfaces with ceramic tiles will enhance and add comfort to both indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Steps

1. 1 Concrete preparation. Use an acidic cleaner or a deep cleaner of your choice to clean the concrete surface and allow it to dry completely. Examine the floor for cracks or gouges that need to be repaired with a concrete repair kit.
   • A hydrochloric acid or acidic cleaner is the best option for cleaning concrete before laying the tiles.
2. 2 Waterproofing and leveling. After the sealings have dried, waterproof the concrete. After the composition has dried, apply the concrete leveling material to obtain an even and flat surface. The floor must be level to prevent cracking of tiles and mortar.
   • The concrete must be cleaned before applying the leveling compound. Sodium silicate or lithium silicate waterproofing will help make the concrete strong and water-resistant. Since silicates act below the surface, they will not impair adhesion to concrete.
3. 3 Plan your drawing. Before laying the tiles, it is worth considering the future drawing. It is necessary to outline which and how many tiles will have to be cut, as well as where they will be located. Use a chalk line to mark the floor.
4. 4 Mix the solution. Once you have determined where you will start laying, knead the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not knead too much at once to have time to use up before hardening. Using a serrated trowel, spread the mortar over a small area. Apply the grout no more than three to four tiles at a time.
   • Different types of tiles require a different mortar. An in-store consultant will help you make the right choice.
   • A notched trowel is used to distribute the mortar. The jaws come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to read the instructions on the mortar package and buy the right trowel.
5. 5 Laying tiles. Place the tiles on the mortar and check with the crosses that you are going straight along the chalk line. Moving on to the next rows, use “crosses” for even styling. Avoid touching the tiles after laying the tiles.
6. 6 Cleaning. Wipe the tiles with a damp cloth as they are laid to prevent any lumps of mortar from drying out on them. When approaching a wall, check that the trimmed tiles are correctly laid and allow the mortar to dry for the time specified by the manufacturer.
7. 7 Apply grout. Mix the grout according to the directions on the package and apply it freely to the tiles using a trowel. Use a padded trowel to avoid gouging, then remove excess grout with a damp cloth. Don't worry if the tile looks a little cloudy at this stage. Once the grout has set, repeat the process again to remove moisture and excess grout from the tile.
   • In addition to different colors, there are two types of grout: sand and without sand. Sand grout is used to seal joints larger than 3 mm. Sand adds strength. Joints with a width of 3 mm or less are filled with sand-free grout.For small joints, you will most likely use a sandless grout as it looks smoother. Sealing narrow joints with sand grout will result in unsatisfactory results.
   • A word of caution: never use sand grout on marble tiles! Lay such tiles with a seam of no more than 3 mm, as only grout without sand is suitable for you. Sand grout will scratch the surface of the marble tile.
8. 8 Cleaning. After the grout is completely dry, clean the floor with a damp cloth. As the tiles dry, you may find slight haze on them. Let it dry completely again, and then wipe it again with a slightly damp cloth to get rid of the dullness.
   • A trowel with an overlay is well suited for sealing joints between tiles.
9. 9 Waterproofing. After washing off the remnants of grout and mortar from the tile and waiting for it to dry completely, apply a special compound to the surface to prevent stains and mold.

Tips

• Choose whichever tile you like. Add 15% to all surface measurements to compensate for errors and trimming.

What do you need

• Cleaning agent
• Composition for embedding and leveling concrete
• Concrete waterproofing compound
• Tile
• Solution
• Master OK
• Grout
• Trowel with pad