Before you even start to install ceramic tiles you should make sure that the walls and floors are plumb and level, as this is one of the most important steps to ensuring that you get a perfect finish.
First of all you will need some tools, such as an accurate two foot and four foot level, a hacksaw with special carbide blades, a tile cutter, a nipper, a framing square, a notched trowel, grout sponges and a hard rubber grout float.
To begin the wall tiles installation you will have to select your base tile. Many wall tiles come with an accessory piece of tile called sanitary base, the bottom of this tile resembles wood toe strip such as you might see on wood baseboards.
This extra relief is built into the tile and it provides a great finishing touch. Before you begin to install your first piece of tile you will have to calculate the height of this base tile, the thickness of the floor tile and your first row of wall "adjustment" tile.
You should always install the wall tile first because if you install the floor tile too early, it will become susceptible to scratches, chips or damage as you work on the wall tile above.
The Ceramic wall tile must be installed perfectly level. Because the sanitary base tile will be placed on top of the floor tile to produce a professional look, if the floor is not level then the wall tile that is stacked directly on top of the base tile will be out of level.
You will have to correct this problem by installing a second row of wall tile above the base tile making it your first full sized row. The row of tiles between the base tile and the second row is your "adjustment" row, and it is usually only two thirds the height of a standard tile, giving you lots of room to make adjustments as the floor rises and falls.
When you start to install your wall tile always start at the middle and work in both directions. You should nail a one quarter inch piece of lattice mold at the horizontal starting line, as this support strip prevents the first set of tile from falling while the adhesive dries.
When spreading adhesive be sure and spread just enough as you think you will be able to cover with tile within about a fifteen minute period. When you have finished installing all the wall tile above the wood strip on all the walls you are now ready to install the floor tile.
Install the floor tile in basically the same manner as you just installed the wall tile, again making sure that the surface is clean and level. Once all the floor tiles are installed and grouted you can then come back and install the sanitary base tile and the "adjustment" row of tiles.
