110 degrees magazine - Index

110 degrees magazine - 110° Magazine - July 2007 - Through the gates of Hell - Index

tip three: Lay tiles down before you begin to determine spacer size.
Cutting them all before laying down will save time.
If you do this, add another 7 percent to your tile order
since you will have more waste.
Spread mortar with a square-notched trowel.
Spread only enough mortar so that it can be covered
in 15 minutes. For large tiles use a 1 /2 inch by 1 /2 inch
square-notched trowel. Use a 1 /4 by 1 /4 inch squarenotched
trowel for 12-inch or smaller tiles.
Lay all the tile before doing any grouting. Maintain
consistent spaces between the tiles with spacers. You
can buy these in 1 /16 inch up to 1 /2 inch. Put a spacer
between the tiles on each corner. Continue working
the rows from your starting point to each wall. Use the
wet saw to fit tiles to walls and other obstructions.
“Measure twice cut once.” Do it!
Treat this like a painted floor…. Keep moving
towards an exit.
After the area is laid, let the mortar set up overnight.
Add the grout the next day in five steps:
1. Clean all grout joints of any debris. Use a utility
knife to scrape out excess mortar and vacuum.
2. Mix the grout with water and sand according to the
instructions on the particular grout you chose.
3. Smoothly fill in the spaces, passing a grout float
over the surface, holding it at a 45° angle, thus
squeezing the grout into the cracks.
4.Sponge excess grout and haze from the surface of
the tile by using a clean sponge and water.
NOTE: Do this within ten minutes or the haze will
become fixed to the surface.
5. Paint and replace the baseboards. Return all
fixtures and appliances.
5. FINISHING TOUCHES
A couple final steps in finishing up your new floor.
1. Clean up after yourself. Note that laying tile is a
dirty job and everything will be covered with tile
dust, so make this a thorough cleanup.
2. Change the furnace/air-conditioning filter
because it will be clogged with dust.
3. After you are finished have a fine meal at
Grazie!’s, Hiro’s, Cap’s, or Carpaccio. Or go to
Sticky Chicken if you simply want some good
barbeque without the fancy tablecloths. Or just
stuff yourself at Carvel’s.
Leonard McCurley’s father, Paul, started our flooring
business. We can remember how he used to say, “The
most important day in the life of your floor is the day
your new floor is installed.”
I don’t think that is literally true, but it is important!
So when you get finished go ahead and celebrate
a little. You will have done a good thing!
Your new tile floor should remain clean of stains and
scars for the life of the house — or perhaps your life. °
If you install a floor, Eric Metz will be glad to give you advice,
sell you the materials you need, or do the job for you.
Contact him at 925-634-0888 or at eric@mccurleys.com. For
more information go to www.mccurleys.com.
tip four: Make sure the tiles are level. Add or remove mortar as required
to ensure a perfectly level surface.
the easy way out
Mc Curleys
Eric Metz
925-634-0888
July 2007 www.110mag.com 45