If you are talking about ceramic re-tiling, you first have to take up the existing tiles, because you can’t tile over the old tiles. They won’t support additional tile and will continue to crack, leaving your new tiles looking bad.

Next, you must smooth out the remaining grout so that the surface is smooth. Make sure you get out as much of the dust and debris as possible to get a firm stick with the next thing you put down.

Then, you need to lay 1/2 inch plyboard or cement board. You can use 1/4 inch, but the grout is MUCH more likely to crack, because older houses can settle.

Once you’ve laid-in the plyboard, you need to check the footboards underneath the counters, because they might have to be adjusted with the new floor height you will have. After that, you need a good sealant around the footboards in order to avoid water damage should some spill or you get a leak.

Now, take the tile you’ve chosen and the size spacers you need, if applicable. Don’t buy self-mix grout. Just buy it at the store and apply it with a dental trowel at about a 45 degree angle. It should be about 1/8 of an inch thick, at least, maybe a little more. You want it thick, but not so thick that it will crack while securing the spacers to guide you.

Butter the backs of the tile pieces lightly and start putting them down one at a time with. Start at a center point on the kitchen floor, preferably underneath the opposite wall where you enter the kitchen. This will give it a nice, uniform look, while hiding any partial tiles that you needed to cut to size under cabinets.

For ceramic tiles you will need to invest about $90.00 for a wetsaw that cuts tile. You will need it! You will also need a bucket of warm water and a cloth, because you cannot let the grout create a haze on the tiles. It is impossible to take off once it dries and it will look like a rank amateur did the work. Wipe clean as you go but don’t allow puddles to form in the grout.

Allow at least 24 hours to cure. You are done!

Posted under Simple Home Maintenance