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How to Install Ceramic Tile With a Plastic Underlayment
- 1). Spread thin-set on the floor with a trowel. Roll out the plastic underlayment and press it firmly into the thin-set. Press all of the air out of the space between the plastic and the thin-set with a grout float.
- 2). Trim the plastic underlayment with a utility knife so it fits the area to be tiled.
- 3). Spread tile adhesive over the plastic underlayment with a notched trowel. Place your ceramic tile into the adhesive. Set spacers with the tile and continue setting tiles across the room until you have set all of the whole tiles.
- 4). Measure the remaining spaces for cut tiles. Use a tile cutter to trim these tiles to the correct size. You can spread the adhesive directly onto the tile and press the tile in place. Use spacers next to the wall so there is appropriate space between tiles and the wall. Allow the adhesive to dry overnight.
- 5). Slide a flat-head screwdriver under the spacers and pop them out of the adhesive.
- 6). Spread the grout with a grout float, working the grout into the spaces between tiles. Go back and forth over the tiles multiple times to eliminate air pockets.
- 7). Remove the grout from the face of the tiles with a wet sponge. Clean the sponge often. Continue wiping the tiles until all grout film is removed. Let the grout dry for 48 hours before allowing foot traffic on the tile floors.
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