Good preparation of the plywood subfloor will help make your tile last for years.
Installing a new tile floor may be one of the projects on your list of home improvements. A successful tile flooring project requires a solid base that won't sag, buckle or create unevenness that can dislodge or crack tiles. This requires attention to the proper installation and preparation of the plywood subfloor. You should examine the existing plywood floor to ensure that it is in good enough condition to hold the tile. You may need to replace damaged or rotted plywood before installing tile.
Instructions
1. Vacuum the plywood floor to remove dust and dirt.
2. Remove grease and stains from the subfloor using 1/4 cup of household cleaner to 1 gallon of water. Allow the floor to dry overnight.
3. Screw down any loose areas of the floor.
4. Check for any unevenness in the plywood floor surface by placing the level on the floor in 8 to 10 places around the room. Build up low areas with leveling compound, applying it with a trowel in a thin layer and feathering out the edge to even out with the rest of the floor. Gradually sand down high areas with 100-grit sandpaper, using the level to judge how much sanding is required. Vacuum up sanding grit.
5. Apply another layer of plywood at least 3/8-inch thick over the existing plywood to create a solid foundation for the tile. Lay the first sheet along two walls, leaving 1/4 inch between plywood and wall. Set the other plywood sheets abutting each other tightly, but leaving the 1/4-inch gap along the wall. Cut sheets to size with a circular saw to fill in smaller areas, abutting the edges tightly.
6. Screw down plywood sheets using corrosion resistant screws at 6-inch intervals along the edges, center to center, that is, from the center of one screw to the center of the next. Insert screws across the surface of the plywood at 8-inch intervals, center to center. Ensure that screw heads go below the surface of the wood.
7. Apply leveling compound to crevices between sheets using a narrow trowel. Wipe off excess compound. Clean trowel and smooth the compound to an even level with the plywood. Allow the compound to dry. Fill screw head depressions with leveling compound to create an even surface with the plywood. Allow the compound to dry completely, about four hours.
8. Apply one coat of latex primer to the surface of the plywood with a paint brush or roller.
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