How to tile a floor using powdered tile adhesive

Tiling a floor can transform a space, giving it a sleek and polished finish. Whether you’re revamping a bathroom, kitchen, or entryway, tiling provides both durability and style. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of tiling a floor using powdered tile adhesive. Powdered tile adhesive offers a cost-effective, versatile solution to tiling and gives you more control over the consistency as you are required to mix your own adhesive.

In this guide we'll walk you through how to tile a floor using powdered tile adhesive, answering common questions and giving our expert tips along the way. 

Powdered tile adhesive is widely used in floor tiling because they offer superior bonding strength when compared to pre-mixed or all-in-one alternatives. They come in a powder form and can be mixed with water or a special latex additive, giving you control over their consistency. Plus, powdered tile adhesives cure harder than ready-mix adhesives, making them more durable for high-traffic areas.

There are several reasons why powdered adhesive is an excellent choice for tiling floors, including:

• High bond strength: Once mixed with water, the adhesive forms a strong, durable bond suitable for heavy-duty applications making them perfect for larger tiles, natural stone, or areas with high foot traffic.
• Choice of working and set time: Powdered adhesives set when the water is mixed with the powder, meaning you can control how fast it sets by adjusting the amount of water. This is perfect for both small and larger projects or where precise placement of tiles is required.
• Versatility: Suitable for many indoor and outdoor applications.

1. Can I use wall tiles on the floor?
No, wall tiles are typically thinner and not designed to bear weight like floor tiles. Always use tiles rated for floor use.

2. Do I need to waterproof my floor before tiling?
When tiling a floor in a wet area, like a bathroom or laundry, it’s essential to waterproof the floor before laying tiles to prevent water damage. 

Recommended product: Bostik, EVO-STIK's parent company, offers a flexible tanking system that's perfect for waterproofing a floor before a tiling application. 

3. How thick should the adhesive layer be?
For floor tiles, the adhesive layer should typically be around 3-6mm thick, depending on the tile size.

4. Can I tile over an old floor?
Yes, you can! However, you need to make sure the old tiles are properly cleaned and aren't loose or damaged. It is recommended to rough up the surface of the existing tiles using sandpaper to create better adhesion. You can also use an appropriate primer for tiling over non-porous surfaces.
 

What you will need:

• EVO-STIK powdered tile adhesive: Rapid Set Floor Tile Adhesive, Standard Set Floor & Wall Tile Adhesive, Rapid Set Flexible Floor & Wall Tile Adhesive
• Your choice of floor tiles
• Mixing bucket
• Drill with a mixing paddle attachment
• Notched trowel (for spreading the adhesive)
• Tile spacers
• Tile cutter, tile nippers or suitable wet wheel cutter
• Spirit level
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Safety gear (gloves, goggles)

• Typically, EVO-STIK Rapid Set Tile Adhesive is used on floors where a quicker turnaround time is required
• EVO-STIK Standard Set Tile Adhesive is used when more working time is required. It is commonly used on larger floors and floors with intricate design
• EVO-STIK Flexible Tile Adhesive is used for fixing porcelain tiles, and on floors with under floor heating and wooden floors

For a full guide on how to choose the right tile adhesive, see here.

Before starting, it's important to consider the relevant safety gear, such as gloves, goggles, and knee pads, to protect yourself from sharp tiles and adhesive. Then, a well-prepared surface ensures the tiles will adhere properly and last longer.

• Clean the floor thoroughly. Remove any dust, grease, or debris from the surface that could prevent the adhesive from sticking. Then, make sure the floor is dry.
• Check the level of the floor using a spirit level to ensure the surface is even. If you have any dips or bumps, you might need to use a self-levelling compound first.
• Prime the surface, particularly if you're working on a porous surface like concrete, to ensure the adhesive can stick properly. As mentioned above, if tiling a bathroom, kitchen, or other wet area, make sure the floor is waterproof or treated appropriately for a long-lasting tile installation.

Measure the floor and mark the centre - this will be your line to work from to ensure an even, balanced layout.

Dry lay your tiles before applying the powdered tile adhesive to get a rough idea of where each tile will go. This will help you to avoid awkward cuts or too-narrow gaps at the edges.

Good to know: Although you're not yet laying your tiles, it's handy to use tile spacers to help you roughly map out the spacing between each. Typically, 2mm to 3mm spacers are used, depending on the size of the tiles.

Having measured your space, it's important to consider what cuts you may need to make for your tiles. Having roughly laid your tiles in the pattern your desire, mark the tiles where cuts are required. We recommend taking extra care when measuring around outlets, corners, or awkward spaces to ensure your tiles fit perfectly, especially around edges and corners.

Then, use a tile cutter to make straight cuts or a tile nipper for smaller, more intricate cuts. Where necessary, a wet wheel tile cutter will give you a clean, professional finish for harder to cut tiles.

Powdered adhesive requires precise mixing for the best results:

• Follow manufacturer instructions. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Typically, and with all EVO-STIK powdered tile adhesives, you mix the powdered adhesive with water (or a liquid additive) in a bucket using a paddle mixer. You're looking for the mixture to form a smooth, paste-like consistency - no lumps present!
• Mix only what you need. For different powdered tile adhesives, the working time varies from 20~30 minutes for rapid setting tile adhesive to 3~4 hours for standard setting tile adhesive. We recommend working in small batches that you can use within the set time to avoid wastage.
• Use a drill and mixing paddle attachment. Mixing without this equipment will make it difficult to get to the required consistency whilst giving you a good working time. Plus, it's much easier to guarantee a perfect blend with no lumps when using the drill and mixing paddle.

Once your powdered tile adhesive is mixed to a paste-like consistency, you're ready to apply the adhesive.

1. Start from the centre point that you marked in step 2 and work outwards.
2. Scoop some adhesive from the mixing bucket using a notched trowel, applying an even layer directly onto your prepped floor. Hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle to create ridges in the adhesive. These ridges are key in ensuring an even layer of adhesive is applied under the tiles.
3. Work carefully in sections, applying a small amount to the floor at a time, approximately enough to lay 3-4 tiles, depending on their size. 

Press each tile firmly into the adhesive and wiggle them slightly to help the tiles settle into the adhesive for a solid bond. Use tile spacers to maintain even gaps between the tiles to create a consistent space for grouting.

Then, use a spirit level to check that the tiles are level and adjust as necessary before the adhesive sets.

Tip: We recommend using a light bit of pressure from a rubber mallet to tap any uneven tiles in place. If it's too low, lift it up and add more adhesive.

Remember to:

• Work in small sections, checking regularly that your tiles are level and have even gaps for a professional finish.

Once the tiles are laid in place, allow the adhesive to dry. It is important to check the manufacturer's instructions for more accurate drying times. Avoid walking on the tiles during this time.

Good to know: Rushing the drying process can lead to problems further down the line. Always give both the adhesive and grout the recommended time to set before applying any pressure or moisture to the floor.

Once the adhesive has fully set, you can begin grouting. Grouting is perfect for filling in the gaps.
Start by removing the tile spacers, mix up your grout according to the manufacturer's instructions, then use a rubber grout float to spread grout over the tiles, pressing it into the gaps.

Do not grout the edge or where the floor abuts a solid structure, but instead use a suitable mastic or silicone.

Once the grout has partially set, clean the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any excess grout or grout residue before it hardens. It is important to soak and clean the sponge on regular intervals to keep it clean to avoid discolouring your grout.

Q: Do I need to seal the grout? For areas prone to moisture, like kitchens or bathrooms, it’s a good idea to use a grout sealer. This helps prevent stains and mould growth in the future.

After the grout has dried (usually after 24 hours), give the tiles one final clean with a damp cloth or sponge. This final step ensures the tiles look clean and polished. Ta-da! You've now learnt how to tile a floor using powdered tile adhesive.

Let's sum up some final tips to make sure your new floor is a long-lasting success…

• Measure twice, cut once: Always double-check your measurements before cutting tiles to avoid costly mistakes and ensure a seamless fit around edges, corners, or fixtures.
• Consider the 'adhesive open time': The open time is the time that the tile should be placed into the adhesive once the adhesive is applied to the floor. Don’t spread too much adhesive at once as it can start to dry before you’ve had time to place the tiles. Work in small, manageable sections.
• Use tile levelling clips: When working with larger tiles, levelling clips can help keep the tiles perfectly even and prevent any uneven tile heights.
• Start at the centre: Begin your work from the middle of the room to ensure that any cut tiles will be at the edges, keeping the main space uniform and visually appealing.
• Clean as you go: Wipe off any excess adhesive or grout immediately with a damp sponge. If left too long, it can harden and be difficult to remove without damaging the tiles.

Tiling a floor using powdered adhesive is a rewarding project that, with the right preparation, can be tackled by anyone with patience and attention to detail. These tips, combined with careful preparation and patience, will help you achieve a professional, long-lasting tiling job that enhances the look and durability of your space.