Installing tile on concrete directly may not be a wrong decision. So when there are cracks in concrete, there are cracks on your tile. It causes the movement to transfer to the tile. Problems erupt when concrete shifts or cracks. Also, it is fair to assume that concrete will crack at some time in the future. If there are any foundation shifts, if groundwater pushes from the cracks or tree roots get burrowed in the concrete slab, this can crack and lift the floor. Take care to note that this method works best when concrete is in an unchanged and perfect state. In addition, it is dense in structure, and since both concrete and tiles are mineral-based, these make a perfect pair. It is because the thin-set stays on the concrete when you remove the tile.Ĭoncrete is solid and heavy and is a rigid and unbending material. However, if the concrete cracks, it directly transfers to the tile. You also do not need to raise the substrate. The method does not need extra materials and stays for years unless the concrete cracks. Porcelain and ceramic tiles are usually installed on floorboards, making it easy to install them directly on concrete. Here we explain three techniques of installing tile on concrete. But these are essential to make your concrete floor ready for tile installation, ensuring that it serves you for years to come. It takes time and lots of effort to patch and seal the concrete floor. Again, the membrane should be evenly laid across the floor. If you wish to use an uncoupling membrane between the tile and the concrete floor, then this is the stage where you need to put them. Cover the entire floor to create this protective layer. The sealer creates a protective layer, not letting moisture seep through the concrete and the tile floor. Let the surface dry for at least 12 hours. Fill the depression with the concrete patching compound, ensuring that the surface stays level. If there are depressions or flaws, repair them before you install the tile. If there are uneven areas or bumps, then the tiles could break after you install them. The flat edge of the trowel smooths each patch and keeps the floor in level. It would help if you took care not to leave any extra compound near the cracks. Apply concrete patching on the cracked sites using a trowel. Patch the cracks on the concrete floor as these cause the tiles to shift and break. You may need a box fan if the area you stay in is humid or does not get natural circulation. Use clothes or towels to dry the sections and continue rinsing each part. Take extra care to clean the oily and greasy areas. Use this mixture to scrub the floor thoroughly. Pour it in a bucket and add warm water to form a cleaning solution. Next, you will need a degreasing cleaner. Make sure to remove the dust, dirt, and debris.įollow it up with a scrub to remove any persistent stains or stubborn dirt. Use the dustpan and broom and give the floor a thorough sweep. Sweep the floor even if your concrete floor looks neat. You will need a broom, concrete sealer, dustpan, concrete patching compound, degreasing cleaner, scrub brush, five-gallon bucket, clothes, trowel, extended handled roller, and an uncoupling membrane. Gather all the tools and supplies before you begin the work. Your concrete floor should be in shape before you install tiles. It also protects the tile from moisture and cracks. The polyethylene layer is flexible and easy to install. Install an uncoupling membrane between the tile surface and concrete to keep such movements from affecting your tile floor. Minor shifts in concrete flooring are unavoidable, which causes the floor to develop cracks. But the chances of it staying in this condition for long are pretty low. Your concrete floor is in perfect condition. What If You Directly Install The Tiles on The Concrete Floor? Thus, it pays to spend some time preparing the concrete floor to get an even design that looks great and boasts of a long life. Excess moisture in concrete could also damage the mortar and loosen the tiles. Uneven areas and cracks on the floor end up damaging the tiles. You do not always need an underlayment between the tile and concrete, but you need to prepare the concrete surface before installing the tiles.
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