The Life of a Tile Job

First, we start off with a not-so-nice floor. In this case, it was VCT tiles.

We take that up… (or, sometimes, install right over it, depending on the flooring type and condition.)

Until it looks something like this:

We cut the “jams” so that the tile can fit nicely underneath.

And then it’s time to start laying out the job. We do this to ensure that the layout will work, and it’s also when we find out what cuts need to be made.

Once we know what cuts are needed, we take care of those. Some cuts require a wet saw, and some we do with the cutter below.

Marking cuts…

Almost finished with the layout.

Then it’s time to begin the actual installation.

First we spread thinset, then put the tiles down in place.

Thinset, especially quick-setting thinset, needs to be mixed sometimes.

Down to the last tile!

 

And… done!

Now it’s time for clean up.

Finally, once the tiled area dries completely, we grout it. (not pictured) And here’s the final product! Much improved.

(This particular job was donated to Pregnancy Solutions, a non-profit organization that we support, for their new location in North Port. We actually tiled 2 bathrooms on the same day, so a few of the pictures are of a different bathroom than the one pictured above.)