advise me, DIY handymen of ATOT

[paulxcook]

I have one tiling project under my belt: a large kitchen backsplash a few years ago in my parents' house.

I have some general ideas on how this is done, but I'd appreciate any tips anyone has to hand out.

Foundation is a crawl space, appears to be a plywood subfloor. Currently there is vinyl sheet flooring overtop of that, which is unfortunate since the house was built in '78. It's only about 25-30 ft squared, so it's not a big job. We will probably be laying new subfloor and backer board for the tile. We are going in a diagonal pattern rather than "brick wall" or side-by-side.

 

[squirrel dog]

You'll need a wet saw and some knippers . I use spacers to space the tiles,pros don't need those . It takes me two days to do tile work,day one is measurements,applying the thin set,setting the tiles . Day two is applying the grout and clean up / shoe molding , ect . The dry type of tile cutter is ok for straight lines,but not to good for corners,curves.Makes some waste.Good Luck . A set of knee pads is good too .

 

[Vette73]

1. Don't use pre-mixed mastic (i.e. tile glue )

2. get some Ditra HD sells it


Follow the directions for Ditra and your subfloor and you will be gold.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
You'll need a wet saw and some knippers . I use spacers to space the tiles,pros don't need those . It takes me two days to do tile work,day one is measurements,applying the thin set,setting the tiles . Day two is applying the grout and clean up / shoe molding , ect . The dry type of tile cutter is ok for straight lines,but not to good for corners,curves.Makes some waste.Good Luck . A set of knee pads is good too .

You'd be surprised how many pros do use spacers. It saves time, and helps ensure an even appearance.

Definitely rent a wet saw if you need to make a number of cuts.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: squirrel dog
You'll need a wet saw and some knippers . I use spacers to space the tiles,pros don't need those . It takes me two days to do tile work,day one is measurements,applying the thin set,setting the tiles . Day two is applying the grout and clean up / shoe molding , ect . The dry type of tile cutter is ok for straight lines,but not to good for corners,curves.Makes some waste.Good Luck . A set of knee pads is good too .

That's the most important thing that you should get when doing tile. Those knee pads will save you a lot of pain in the future.

 

[Wapp]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
1. Don't use pre-mixed mastic (i.e. tile glue )

2. get some Ditra HD sells it


Follow the directions for Ditra and your subfloor and you will be gold.

How does Ditra adhere to the subfloor?

Edit: n/m The website shows them using a thin set mortar.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: Wapp

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
1. Don't use pre-mixed mastic (i.e. tile glue )

2. get some Ditra HD sells it


Follow the directions for Ditra and your subfloor and you will be gold.

How does Ditra adhere to the subfloor?

Staple gun.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: edro

Originally posted by: Wapp

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
1. Don't use pre-mixed mastic (i.e. tile glue )

2. get some Ditra HD sells it


Follow the directions for Ditra and your subfloor and you will be gold.

How does Ditra adhere to the subfloor?

Staple gun.

Negative


Use a thinset that is made for your subfloor. I will be using unmodified for below and above the ditra. Same with the tiles for the walk in shower and around the tub.