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The first step is insuring that the area you wish to tile is smooth and level. Any cracks must be filled and sanded, or covered with another flooring material such as ?¡± plywood.
Clean the surface you intend to tile to remove any dirt, dust from sanding, or adhesives from previous tiles or other materials. Rinse the area thoroughly, insuring there is no residue from cleaning solutions. Allow the floor to dry completely.
Remove the cork tiles from the packaging. Let them sit for several hours, preferably overnight until they adapt to room temperature. Using chalk or a carpenter¡¯s pencil, draw lines to use as a guide for laying the tiles. Tiling should always begin in the very center of the room, so you will need to measure and draw lines from each side to the center. It never hurts to measure twice, especially since it is much easier than trying to remove tile that has been improperly installed.
After laying the center tile, work your way out in each direction. Tiles that must be placed in corners, in oddly shaped areas or near the wall can be easily cut with a utility knife if less than ?¡± thick. If thicker, you will need a saw. You can use contact cement or a water based adhesive to install tiles. You can check with manufacturers to see which product best suits your needs. Whichever one you choose must be applied generously. One heavy coat or two thin coats will do the trick. When using such chemicals indoors, be sure you have proper ventilation.
Spread the adhesive thickly and evenly on the piece of tile you wish to apply as well as on the area of floor you will be covering. Let the adhesive cure (get tacky) according to the manufacturer¡¯s instructions. Be very careful to apply adhesive all the way to the edge of the tile, especially the corners. If you don¡¯t the edges will loosen and the corners may curl up. To remove adhesive drips or smears from tile use a clean damp cloth immediately, while the adhesive is still wet. If you miss a spot and the adhesive is already dry, try a bit of mineral spirits.
Carefully line each tile up. It will be difficult to try to move the tile once it is placed. Push down on the tile from corner to corner and all along the edges until it is firmly in place. Using a tile roller, you must roll over each tile at least four or five times from top to bottom then side to side. You may want to repeat this process to insure that tiles are firmly in place. Be sure to check for excess adhesive after rolling the tile, and clean it up immediately.
Clean up spills and never allow water to sit on your tiles for any length of time. Do not pour liquid onto the floor to clean it. Only use a damp mop and avoid letting excess water drip on the floor. Don¡¯t leave damp items such as welcome mats or wet shoes on the tiles. Natural cork is an excellent choice for home decor, but the porous material makes it better suited to dry areas rather than kitchens and baths. You may want to complete your project by applying a polyurethane finish to protect your natural cork flooring. |
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