What To Expect During Installation
When your new tile installation day is here, it pays to be ready! Here is a quick checklist to make sure your home and rooms are prepared:
- Plan for an adult to be home to answer questions that may arise for the installers.
- Designate an area for the installation crew to keep tile installation tools, mix grout, and cut tiles as needed.
- Keep children and pets away from the rooms receiving new tile floors and the crew’s work area.
- Walk through and ask any questions that you may have about your new tile.
- Establish appropriate ventilation as suggested by your installers.
Tile Installation Considerations
To make your new tile installation as efficient as possible, take the following helpful steps:
- Remove all furniture and electronics from the rooms and closets receiving new tile.
- Take down all hanging items off of the walls.
- Complete all new painting and touch-ups before installation.
- Take all doors down and shave the bottoms if the new tile product raises the flooring height. This step will ensure full range of motion for your doors.
- Place felt protectors under heavy furniture legs before returning pieces on your new tile floors.
Since tile cannot be installed over existing flooring, your current floors will need to be removed and disposed of entirely. Your subfloor then needs to be professionally assessed, and any imperfections will need to be repaired before installation.
Make sure to wait for the full specified amount of time before walking on your new tile and returning furniture to the room. Tile floors and grout work need time to set and cure to ensure a completely even, level surface. Always return furniture by lifting or using proper moving equipment with wheels, never dragging heavy pieces to avoid scratching or cracking the tile.
