Appreciation post: My bathroom tile job went from a mess to perfect after I switched methods

I was redoing my bathroom floor last month and started with the classic 'butter and back' method for the 12x24 porcelain tiles. I'd watch videos where they slap mortar on the tile and the floor, then set it. My first three tiles were wobbly and one cracked when I stepped on it the next day. I was ready to give up. Then my neighbor, who used to work construction, came over and told me to try the 'full coverage' method instead. That means you use a bigger trowel and really comb the mortar in one direction on the floor, then set the tile with a firm twist. I tried it on the next tile and the difference was insane. The tile sat perfectly flat and when I lifted it to check, the mortar coverage was nearly 100% with no air pockets. I redid the first three tiles and the whole floor is now solid as a rock. Has anyone else had a similar 'aha' moment with a basic technique that changed everything for a project?

3 comments

3 Comments

shah.barbara22d ago

Yeah, that "firm twist" when you set the tile is the real key. It presses out the air and locks it in. I learned the hard way too, skimping on mortar just leaves those hollow spots that crack later. A 1/2 inch notch trowel for those bigger tiles makes all the difference.

quinn_kim456d ago

Wait, he tried using a tiny trowel on a backsplash? That's wild.

lee35222d ago

My buddy Mark tried tiling his kitchen backsplash with a tiny trowel. He switched to a 3/8 inch notch and the whole job locked down tight.