A bathroom floor can be retiled.
If it has been several years since you tiled your bathroom floor, or you simply want a change, you can retile the area yourself. This project is for the removal and replacement of ceramic tile and takes two phases. The first phase requires removing all of the old tile and the former adhesive. The second phase involves laying down the new tile. Depending on the size of your bathroom this project may take anywhere from one to two weekends to complete.
Instructions
1. Determine what type of flooring is underneath the tile. If you have a plywood subfloor, you can use a reciprocating saw to cut through the tile bed (but not through the subfloor). If you have a masonry subfloor, you can scrape up the tile.
2. Remove the old tile. Wear safety glasses and gloves for this project. For masonry subfloors, strike one tile in the center with a hammer to break it. Dispose the broken chips. It helps to have a small garbage can nearby as you work. Move to the next tile and break it as well. Use a chisel to remove any stubborn pieces. For plywood subfloors, break through the first tile and then insert a reciprocating saw into the space you just cleared. Use this saw to go through the plywood underlayment, but avoid the subfloor.
3. Sand down the floor. Use a belt sander with a heavy grade of sandpaper to grind off any remaining adhesive on the floor. Wear a mask for this portion of the project.
4. Lay down the new mortar. Start with the first row and spread mortar out on the floor with a textured trowel. Keep your coating even. Flip the trowel over and texture the mortar.
5. Place the first row of tile. Press each tile firmly into the mortar. Use grout spacers between each tile. These small spacers help you leave enough room in between tiles. Press at least two, at the top and bottom of the tile's side into the mortar right next to the tile. Cut the tiles using a tile saw if necessary. Finish the first row and then repeat until the entire floor has been covered.
6. Grout the tile. Remove the grout spacers and grout in between the tiles. Use a putty knife or a damp towel to wipe down the tiles and remove any excess grout as you work. Continue until all the tiles have been grouted. Let the grout and mortar set for at least 24 hours before allowing foot traffic in the room.
Tags: bathroom floor, between tiles, each tile, first tile, grout spacers, into mortar, next tile