Ceramic Tile InstallationStep 5 – Install Tile

TNC EDUCATION SERVICES, INCInstructional Design and Learning Management

This Play Book

Upon completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

Correctly mix thin set Calculate amount of tiles

needed Install tiles Cut end tiles

Assumptions

Students work in pairs of their own choosing, with 6 pairs maximum

All materials provided for students Student has been introduced to the

30X60 inch frame

The Frame – Built with 4X4 PostsEach of 6 areas is 30X60 inches

Task 1Introduction

Now that we have a basic understanding of the tools and materials that we will be working with, let’s get right into the business of laying tile – specifically, mixing the thin set, calculating the number of tiles needed, installing the tiles and cutting end tiles.

Task 2Clean Installation

Area

Our first step is to clean our work area by sweeping the work board. This is important because you don’t want debris to get mixed in with the thin set that you will lay down.

Task 3Check color pattern of

tile

Depending on your aesthetic intent, you may want to either incorporate or eliminate irregularities. To do this, you may want to pull tiles from several different boxes or ensure that the tiles came from the same lot.

Task 4Ensure Safety Equipment

in use

Safety is important at any time you are using tools, and tile laying is definitely no exception. The thin set material can be a powerful irritant; to protect yourself from damaging your eyes, lungs and skin, please be sure to wear the safety glasses, safety mask and latex work gloves provided. Safety glasses are a must when cutting tile!

Task 5Calculate the amount of water and thin set

needed

Conventional wisdom dictates that a 50 lb bag of thin set and 1 gallon of water will create enough mortar for a 100 square foot (10’ x 10’) area. The area each of you is working in is 12.5 square feet (2.5’ by 5’). How much water and dry thin set will we need?

Task 5Calculate the amount of Thin Set

needed

To calculate the amount of thin set needed, multiply the exemplary amount (50 lbs) by the actual square footage (12.5 sq ft). Divide the result by the exemplary square footage (100 sq ft) to calculate x above, which is the amount of dry thin set you will need.

Task 5Calculate the amount of water

needed

To calculate the amount of water needed, multiply the exemplary amount (1 gallon, or 16 cups) by the actual square footage (12.5 sq ft). Divide the result by the exemplary square footage (100 sq ft) to calculate x above, which is the amount of water you will need.

Task 6Prepare the Thin

Set

Using the drill mixer, mix the water and powdered thin set until it achieves the consistency of peanut butter, which means you should not be able to pour it from the bucket. Read the direction on the back of the thin set package for further instruction.

Once the correct consistency is obtained let the mixture stand for 15 minutes. During this interval, make sure that you have enough ceramic tile to use all the thin set in the bucket.

Task 7Calculate the number of tiles

needed

To calculate the square footage of the work board, multiply the length by the width of the space in inches and divide the result by 144. Multiply the new result by 1.1.

Example: 30” x 60” = 18001800 / 144 = 12.512.5 x 1.1 = 13.75 square feet You will need 14 tiles for this space.

Task 8Determine which trowel is right

for you

Because we are using 12” tile, we’ll be using a 1/4” trowel. If we were using 9” tile, we’d use a 3/32” trowel. What size trowel do you think we would use for 4” tile?

Task 9Spread the Thin Set

Instructor demonstrates the proper motion and angle of the trowel and thickness of the thin set on the board. Students are asked to mirror instruction with one tile in the center of the board. Student removes tile checking that thin set covers the entire tile.

Task 10 Install Center

Tiles

Start in the cross (+) or center of the room applying thin set with a ¼ trowel in each section for only one tile. Slightly wiggle each tile in place over the thin set making sure it is embedded in the thin set. The tile should be flush with the plumb line. Place a 1/8 inch spacer between each tile. After placing the first four tiles make sure all corners are square using a metal square. Let the first four tiles stiffen in the thin set by waiting 15-20 minutes before laying the next set of tiles.

Task 11 Calculate size of end tiles

The wall (or ending) to your left/right should be the first place to have an end tile; the last tile laid in this section would be the upper left/right hand corner. Cuts against the wall or at the end should be measured by flipping the tile over, back facing up and mark the tile for cutting allowing for room to grout. The tile should be cut so that it is flush against the wall.

Task 12 Cut tiles

Place tile to be cut on the last tile set. Place marker tile on top, against the spacer tile at the wall. Trace the edge of the marker tile onto the tile to be cut. Place the wheel of the tile cutter on top of the cut line, then move the wheel back to the far edge of the tile. Pull the cutting wheel toward you to create the score. Lift the cutting wheel and lower the handle quickly to snap the tile along the scoring line.

Task 13Complete the

board

Now finish your board portion. Please come to see me if you have any questions about the procedures or materials we just covered.

Task 14 Assessment

Task 15 Transition to

Grouting

Excellent job! We are well on our way to completing this job. Since it takes at least 24 hours for the thin set to dry, we’ll break here and pick up where we left off in the next class. Please be sure to put all of your tools and materials away.