Hey everyone! I've just purchased my first home and I'm trying to lay down porcelain ceramic wood-look tiles throughout the whole place. I'm a 22-year-old and really new to this DIY job. I've watched tons of TikTok videos and YouTube tutorials, plus read a lot of Reddit posts, but I'm facing some issues. I'm based in Florida, and with the heat and broken AC, things have been tough. I prioritized flooring over AC, thinking I could manage with some window units temporarily.
The problem is that some tiles seem to be adhering well, while others sound hollow when tapped (like a 'ting' sound). I've noticed this is pretty random—sometimes a single tile, and sometimes a whole section. I figured it might be the heat affecting the adhesive, so I started using window AC units, and while that's helped with the temperature, some tiles still aren't sticking properly. The thinset was drying pretty fast initially, even when I was making small batches to work with, but now it's varying.
I've kept the area clean and dry, and I'm almost halfway done in my 1600 sqft house, but this inconsistency is super discouraging. I really want to get it right the first time, especially since I only have weekends to work on this. Any tips on how to get my tiles to adhere properly? Thanks for any help you can provide!
2 Answers
Hey, congrats on the new house! It sounds like you're doing a great job tackling this. Have you tried back buttering the tiles? Making sure you're using enough thinset can really make a difference, especially in hot weather. I did a flooring project in Florida too, and the heat was a killer. Mixing smaller amounts of thinset is smart, but just keep an eye on that it doesn’t dry out too fast. It’s all about timing. If it continues to be frustrating, maybe consider hiring help if you can swing it. Trust me, professional work can save you a lot of headaches!
Totally understand your struggle! The heat makes a huge difference with thinset. Have you tried adjusting the air conditioning right before you work? Keeping the area cooler can help prevent that quick drying. And don’t forget to give each tile a good even layer of thinset underneath; it’s a game changer. But seriously, if you hit a wall anymore, hiring out might not be a bad idea. It can actually save you time and stress in the long run!
Yeah, I’m with you! It's super tempting to do it all yourself, but sometimes it’s worth it to pay a little for professional help. Just to avoid those endless headaches.
Exactly! I've tiled before in the summer and it can be tricky. Keeping the thinset cool can help too. Just don't give up! You're almost there!