How To Install Travertine Tile Flooring On Your Own
September 28th, 2011Travertine floor tiles are natural rock tiles and can be quite difficult to install on your own. Installations require special tools and precise skills to get it right. The first thing you need to do is gather the tools that you need by either renting or borrowing if you do not want to purchase your own tools. You will need safety glasses, measuring tape, tile spacers, wet saw, thinset mortar, notched trowel, sealant and grout. And of course, you need to purchase the travertine tile that you will be using. Picking out the right tiles is one of the most important steps. You should have already visualized how you want the tiled area to look so you know what kind of travertine finish and color you are going to buy. When have everything you need, lay out your tiles according to the look that you are after. If any tile needs to be cut or trimmed to fit a corner, remember to wear your safety glasses before you start cutting with your wet saw.
When you have laid down all your tiles, mix your thinset mortar by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to follow the instructions precisely because you need the right consistency for your mortar so that it will hold your travertine tiles properly. When this is done, work from the innermost area moving backward as you go along. Remember that once you have your tile into the mortar, you not be able to step on it anymore so you need to work your back accurately. When you have set all the tiles on the mortar, let it dry out completely. It can takes up to 72 hours before the mortar has fully cured; be sure to inform all the family members to not set foot inside the area within the drying period. After the mortar has dried, you can proceed to applying sealant to your travertine tiles. Unlike slate tile, travertine requires sealant every year to protect it from damage because of its porous composition. After applying sealant, the last thing that you need to do is to grout in between the tiles. When the grout has set, you can proceed to admiring your work of art.