Revamp Your Laundry Room: A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Beautiful Tile Flooring
Hey everyone! Welcome back to The Flooring Guys in Central Florida. Today, we’re excited to share a project from one of our customer's homes, where we transformed their laundry room by ripping out old vinyl flooring and installing stunning new tile.
The Before: Outdated and Mismatched
When the customer moved into their new house, the laundry room was in dire need of an update. It featured outdated vinyl flooring, mismatched carpet, and poor lighting. The husband and wife knew it was time for a change, starting with the flooring.
Step 1: Clearing the Space
First things first, we cleared out the room, including the washer and dryer, which we temporarily placed in the hallway so we could work on the floor.
Step 2: Removing the Old Vinyl Flooring
We vacuumed up all the lint and debris before attempting to remove the old vinyl flooring. Initially, we thought this would be easy, but we quickly realized it was more challenging than expected. The vinyl was glued down over another layer of flooring, which was adhered to the subfloor with hundreds of narrow crown staples.
Step 3: Removing the Carpet
Next, we tackled the carpet outside the laundry room, which was mismatched and needed to go. We cut the carpet into manageable pieces, pulled it back from the tack strips, and removed it along with the carpet pad. Removing the tack strips required careful prying to avoid breaking them into pieces. If you're transitioning between tile and existing flooring, consider adding a transition strip for a smooth finish.
Step 4: Preparing the Subfloor
After removing the old flooring, we checked the subfloor for high spots. Using a belt sander, we smoothed out the humps to ensure an even surface for the new tile. It’s crucial to have a flat subfloor, especially with large format tiles, to prevent unevenness and potential cracking. Any loose sections or damage should be repaired before moving on.
Step 5: Installing the Uncoupling Membrane
To prep the subfloor for tile, we used Schluter’s Ditra uncoupling membrane, which allows the subfloor to expand and contract without affecting the tile. Additionally, the Ditra membrane offers waterproofing benefits, making it ideal for laundry rooms. We cut the membrane to size, dry-fitted it, and then adhered it to the subfloor with thin-set mortar, ensuring a solid bond.
Step 6: Dry-Fitting the Tiles
We chose a herringbone pattern for the tile installation. The tiles themselves are waterproof, stain-proof, and scratch-resistant—perfect for a high-traffic area like the laundry room. We dry-fitted the tiles to plan the layout and ensure minimal waste.
Step 7: Laying the Tile
With the membrane in place, We began laying the tile. We used a larger notched trowel for the thin set to accommodate the large tiles and ensure proper adhesion. Each tile was set with spacers and wiggled slightly to collapse the thin-set notches and secure the tile.
Step 8: Grouting
Once the tile was set and the thin-set cured, we moved on to grouting. We worked the grout into the joints, cleaned the excess with a sponge, and let it set for 24 hours. Afterward, we used a tile cleaner and a scouring pad to remove any grout haze. For added protection, we applied a grout sealer to prevent future stains and moisture absorption.
The Result: A Fresh New Look
The transformation was incredible. The new tile flooring brought a fresh, modern look to the laundry room, making it a much more pleasant space. While it wasn't perfect, the overall result was fantastic and well worth the effort.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide inspires you to tackle your own flooring projects. For homeowners in the Central Florida area, The Flooring Guys are your go-to experts for all tile flooring needs. Serving a large radius including cities like Orlando, Winter Garden, Groveland, Minneola, and Montverde, we provide top-notch flooring solutions to give your home the perfect look. Contact us today to learn more!
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