- 1). Inspect the concrete. Repair cracks, fill in holes and grind down high spots. If the concrete shows signs of instability or extensive damage, do not cover it with tile.
- 2). Sweep away all dust, dirt and debris to start with a clean surface for best adhesion.
- 3). Mix mortar in a bucket according to the directions on the bag.
- 4). Apply a paper-thin coat, called a skim coat, of mortar with a trowel to the concrete surface. Work in 3-foot-by-3-foot sections so the mortar does not dry and set before you lay the tile.
- 5). Apply a 1/4-inch coat of mortar over the top of the wet skim coat.
- 6). Drag the notched side of the trowel through the second coat of mortar to create lines through the mortar.
- 7). Apply a skim coat of mortar with a trowel to the back of the ceramic tile.
- 8). Set the tile into the wet mortar bed and press down to seat the tile firmly in the mortar bed.
- 9). Place a level across every two to three tiles to check for level. If the tile is not level, tamp the appropriate side of the tile with the back of your hand or lightly with a rubber mallet.
- 10
Place a tile spacer next to the first tile, apply a skim coat to the tile and seat it next to the spacer. Repeat this pattern until tile is completely covering the concrete slab. - 11
Make cuts to the tile with a wet saw as needed on ends and around corners. - 12
Allow the mortar to cure for 24 hours. - 13
Remove the tile spacers. - 14
Mix grout in a bucket according to the bag directions. - 15
Apply grout in between the tiles, pressing it deeply into the recesses with a grout float, which is a trowel-like tool. - 16
Remove excess grout from the tile with a damp sponge.
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