How hard is it to rip out carpet and put in ceramic tile?

My bathroom has carpet in it, which I hate. I'd like to put in ceramic tile, but I'm not sure of the proper procedure for doing so. Can I just rent the proper tile cutting/laying equipment, get a book that tells me how to lay tile, and go at it?

Will I find that it's really difficult, or is it somehting that a reasonably technically-inclined 20-year-old can handle?

EDIT: wood subfloor.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

is this over a concrete floor or wood subfloor?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Carpet? In a bathroom? Which crackhead designer OKed that in the first place?

And yeah, pretty much get the equipment, a buddy to help pass the time (pay in :beer: ) and go to it.

Edit - Assuming it's concrete underneath carpet+underpadding.

- M4H

 

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
is this over a concrete floor or wood subfloor?

It's on the second floor, so it's a wood subfloor. Would I need to reinforce the floor somehow?

 

[radioouman]

I have carpet in my bathroom too and would like to do the same thing. I have a wood subfloor, if that matters

 

[shimsham]

my wife and i have two friends, female, one 32, the other in her mid 40s. they took one class at home depot, and the next day tiled her bathroom floor. looks great, and they only made one minor mistake that you dont see unless youre looking for it.

it they can do it, i dont see why anyone cant.

edit: concrete subfloor.

 

[EyeMWing]

Haha, don't automatically assume it's a wood subfloor because it's on the second floor. My 2nd floor bathroom had a concrete subfloor. My 1st floor bathroom had a wood subfloor. We have a basement. On a semi-related note, the 2nd floor bathroom had a cast iron bathtub and the 1st floor had a plastic one. The support walls literally sighed in relief as we removed that tub and the concrete floor.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

you'll have to put concrete board (wonderboard or hardiboard) over the wood subfloor. You'll then tape the joinnts with the specified mesh tape, use thin set to lay the tile. if you have a Home Depot/Lowes see if they are having a class, otherwise read some online info or a book about kaying tile to get the basics. Most people think larger tile (12") is easier to lay than smaller tile, but 2" or 4 1/4" squares will probably be your best bet for walls as you can get it pre-set on mesh backing that helps you align it. Avoid 1" hex tile. Use spacers. When wiping off the grout residue, put just a bit of vinegar in the water to help it come off better.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Heh, I just finished grouting our 2nd bathroom's floor, I put in $1K worth of natural slate, it looks like sex.

Just got the toilet reinstalled.

jumpr, you can buy a tile cutter at Home Depot & return it when you're done.

Biggest trick is to use a small size tile in a small room, I'd recommend no bigger than a 6 inch tile, and get creative & do a pattern.

The smaller tile & patterns catch the eye & give the room the illusion of being larger than it really is.

Tiling is very simple, it's just labor intensive, but looks great if you take your time.

Do you have more than one toilet?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hardibacker is your friend.

It's not difficult to do. Just time consuming and requires planning and lots of cutting of tile which is messy.

Edit-I have the tile, hardibacker, thinset and grout sitting in my garage just waiting for me to devote about 2-3 days to this project. I need to get over this fricken cold first though...

 

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Heh, I just finished grouting our 2nd bathroom's floor, I put in $1K worth of natural slate, it looks like sex.

Just got the toilet reinstalled.

jumpr, you can buy a tile cutter at Home Depot & return it when you're done.

Biggest trick is to use a small size tile in a small room, I'd recommend no bigger than a 6 inch tile, and get creative & do a pattern.

The smaller tile & patterns catch the eye & give the room the illusion of being larger than it really is.

Tiling is very simple, it's just labor intensive, but looks great if you take your time.

Do you have more than one toilet?

Nope, just one toilet. I have a patio that'll be perfect for cutting the tile (no dust in the house that way), and I won't be tiling the walls (the shower is a fiberglass bath/shower unit).

 

[aidanjm]

have you considered polishing and/ or staining the wooden floor?

 

[Ornery]

Good question by Mike. The wood floor would at least require concrete backer board, and even that may not be enough. Save yourself a LOT of headaches, and just install sheet vinyl flooring.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Heh, I just finished grouting our 2nd bathroom's floor, I put in $1K worth of natural slate, it looks like sex.

Just got the toilet reinstalled.

jumpr, you can buy a tile cutter at Home Depot & return it when you're done.

Biggest trick is to use a small size tile in a small room, I'd recommend no bigger than a 6 inch tile, and get creative & do a pattern.

The smaller tile & patterns catch the eye & give the room the illusion of being larger than it really is.

Tiling is very simple, it's just labor intensive, but looks great if you take your time.

Do you have more than one toilet?

Nope, just one toilet. I have a patio that'll be perfect for cutting the tile (no dust in the house that way), and I won't be tiling the walls (the shower is a fiberglass bath/shower unit).

For most cuts you can use a tile-scorer which really won't make dust. use nippers for around pipes and stuff. You really don't need a wet saw. Make sure the tile you get has a non-slip surface, as wet tile can be pretty hazardous.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
have you considered polishing and/ or staining the wooden floor?

Polished and stained particle board isn't that high class anymore.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
Heh, I just finished grouting our 2nd bathroom's floor, I put in $1K worth of natural slate, it looks like sex.

Just got the toilet reinstalled.

jumpr, you can buy a tile cutter at Home Depot & return it when you're done.

Biggest trick is to use a small size tile in a small room, I'd recommend no bigger than a 6 inch tile, and get creative & do a pattern.

The smaller tile & patterns catch the eye & give the room the illusion of being larger than it really is.

Tiling is very simple, it's just labor intensive, but looks great if you take your time.

Do you have more than one toilet?

Nope, just one toilet. I have a patio that'll be perfect for cutting the tile (no dust in the house that way), and I won't be tiling the walls (the shower is a fiberglass bath/shower unit).

Will you be able to use a neighbor's bathroom for a couple of days while you have the toilet pulled?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

oh, and make sure you realize that the added thiockness of the hardiboard, thin set, and tile could be an inch or more. that may affect your doors, cabinets, etc.

it's worth doing if it's done right, but make sure you know what you're going to end up with.

 

[HappyPuppy]

jumpr, any answer you get here will be of questionable value. YGPM.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Good question by Mike. The wood floor would at least require concrete backer board, and even that may not be enough. Save yourself a LOT of headaches, and just install sheet vinyl flooring.

Best suggestion yet.

Tile is slippery and cold. Not what I would want in a bathroom floor.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I swear, when i saw this it was right next to the "Don't you hate it when you pee... " thread. Coincidence? You decide.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: WinstonSmith

Originally posted by: Ornery
Good question by Mike. The wood floor would at least require concrete backer board, and even that may not be enough. Save yourself a LOT of headaches, and just install sheet vinyl flooring.

Best suggestion yet.

Tile is slippery and cold. Not what I would want in a bathroom floor.

It looks way better than vinyl/linoleum though. Plus you can always put down a floor mat or two.

 

[Ornery]

Yeah, looks wonderful, until the grout starts cracking from the floor's constant bouncing. Without knowing how rigid the joists are, I'd take the safe, easy & cheap route on this project...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
have you considered polishing and/ or staining the wooden floor?

Plywood?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ornery
Yeah, looks wonderful, until the grout starts cracking from the floor's constant bouncing. Without knowing how rigid the joists are, I'd take the safe, easy & cheap route on this project...

That's what the hardibacker board is for. It gives you a rigid surface to adhere the tile to.

 

I am also considering linoleum/vinyl floor, but I just think tile looks way classier and feels much more substantial under your feet. But if it turns out that this is an inordinately huge project, I may just do vinyl.