Depending on the tiles you buy for your do-it-yourself project, your instructions will differ. Instructions will tell you to put tiles onto a super clean surface. Eighty percent of of the work is a clean floor. For example, if you are re-tiling an existing floor, all of the old wood, chipped tile, any vinyl, glue must be stripped or chiseled from the floor. Problems such as sub-flooring should be addressed at this time. Even the most careful installation of premium tile products will give unsatisfactory results if the concrete floors sub-plywood planks are rotting. Moister is the enemy the birthplace of mildew in any floor installation. Especially where a concrete floor bed may be concerned, if the moister problems are left, these problems will only continue to expand beneath the tile, leading to early destruction.
The finish or edge of your tiling project must be professional-looking. You've heard the expression where 'the rubber meets the road.' Now think about where your wall meets your floor. An important part of DIY flooring is that the area needs to be well cleaned before you begin to lay the fresh tiles. Sub-flooring, plywood, or pressboard flooring is often required when laying tile over concrete. If you leave gaps the tile will crack as the concrete shifts during natural earth movements.
Installation
1. At this point calculate the square footage and number of tiles you need. Be sure to add in partial tiles but calculate them as whole ones. (You will cut them later) You may want to consider using partial tiles along one edge of the floor only. So that the symmetry of the floor will stay in tact.
2.Test your pattern if any, by putting down several with no glue. Some DIY flooring manufacturers of tile use a tongue-and-groove system for ease of installation.
3.Next, if you're using pressure sensitive tiles, remove the backing and put them down starting at one wall. If you're going to use partial tiles along one edge of the floor only then start at that wall. Should you plan on partial tiles all around the edges of the floor then start in the center of the floor and build outward. For tiles with no tongue-and-groove system, it can be helpful to set down tiles not using adhesive.
When putting down ordinary tiles, lay tiles out in a few straight lines. Then, with a stout black pencil mark lines between them. Next, as you apply the tile adhesive press the tile into place, takes straight edge T-square as it sets, and keeps the tiles in one line. Lay tiles carefully. Follow this process until the floor is complete. In DIY flooring with tiles, be aware of drying time. Take the caulking gun and spread a 'bead' of grout between the tiles. Speedily wipe off the excess. It'll mare like crazy. Do this until the floor is complete.