This article is about how to spread tile adhesive on a floor or on a wall. Before starting your ceramic tile project, we recommend you to understand the main techniques and tools needed to get the job done in a professional manner. Therefore, you have to know how to spread the glue for tile floors and walls, as to distribute it in an even layer on the whole surface, otherwise the tiles might get loose from the adhesive. Nevertheless, this technique isn’t very complex, but it requires knowledge and you have to practice quite a bit to master it as a qualified professional. If you read our step by step guide, you will find the needed tips and tricks to lay the tiles properly.
First of all you have to prepare the sub-floor, before spreading the thin-set. Therefore, fill the cracks and vacuum the residues and other particles. In addition, use a large level to check if the floor is perfectly horizontal. If needed, you have to pour a thin layer of self-leveling compound to make it horizontal.
Next, you have to buy the tile adhesive, according to your needs. On one hand, you could purchase powder thinset (based on cement), which is perfect for bathrooms, kitchens and other wet areas, or could go for glue adhesive (easier to mix, but it doesn’t resist against water).
In order to spread tile adhesive, you need the following:
Materials:
Tools:
Tips:
spread the adhesive on small surfaces, otherwise it will get dried soon
use a level to check if the floor is horizontal, before spreading the adhesive
Time
Spreading tile glue
Mixing tile adhesive
Mix the tile adhesive in a clean bucket, by using a drill machinery and a paddle. Nevertheless, you can also mix the thinset by hand, with a margin trowel.
Before spreading tile adhesive on floor, you have to make sure it doesn’t have lumps and the consistency is right. Load material on the trowel and see if it falls. If it stays on the notched trowel, but in the same time it can be spread on the floor, it means that it has the right consistency.
Notched trowel
In order to spread an even layer of tile adhesive, you need to use a notched trowel. This tool is essential for a professional job, therefore make sure you clean it thoroughly before using it.
You should notice that the trowel has also two straight edges and two notched sides.
How to spread tile adhesive
Loading adhesive on trowel
Next, use a margin trowel or a palette knife to load the notched trowel with tile adhesive. Work with great care and wear gloves if your skin is sensitive. Spreading adhesive is a messy job, so we recommend you to put on some old cloths.
You don’t have to load too much material on the trowel (what you see in the image is enough), otherwise it will be hard to spread it on the wall / floor.
Spreading tile adhesive with trowel
Next, use the straight edge of the trowel to spread the adhesive on the surface. Hold the trowel at about 45º and move it several times, backward and forward until the adhesive bed is relatively even.
Smart tip: don’t aplly adhesive on a large surface, but just enough to lay 3-4 tiles, otherwise it will dry out.
How to spread tile adhesive
Next, comb the tile adhesive with the notched edge of the trowel. Remember that you have to hold the trowel angled at about 45º, otherwise the ridges will be too thin.
Repeat the procedure, until the whole surface is covered with an even bed of tile adhesive. Work with patience and add more adhesive on the floor if necessary.
Laying tile on tile adhesive
Afterwards, you have to lay the tiles on the glue and set them into position, by using a mallet. Do not hit the tiles too hard, otherwise you risk damaging them.
Use spacers between the floor tiles, as to get consistent joints.
Spreading adhesive on tile
There are situation in which you don’t have access to a certain area (under a radiator, or other large items) and you cannot spread the adhesive on the floor.
In these situations, the right technique is to apply adhesive directly on the back of the tiles. In order to get the job done as a professional, you should comb the adhesive with the notched trowel.
Spreading adhesive on concrete wall
Last but not least, spreading tile adhesive on a wall should be done using the same techniques described above.
Just work with patience and don’t apply the glue on a larger surface than needed. Make sure you comb the adhesive with the notched edge of a trowel. Before installing the wall tiles, ensure the ridges are even.
Thank you for reading our article on how to spread tile adhesive and we recommend you to check out the rest of our projects. Don’t forget to share our step by step guides with your friends, by using the social media widgets.
