Easy DIY: Tiling a Bathroom Floor -

Tiling a bathroom floor is really not has intimidating has it might seem!

It was one of my first DIYs I did back in 2019 and it made a huge difference in our half bathroom in our new home. Tiling a bathroom floor in a half bath is a great introduction before tiling a full bathroom.

What scares most people about tiling a bathroom floor is how to handle the toilet. Removing a toilet is pretty simple and can be easily removed for a few tools.

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Tools List:

These are the tools that I used for tiling our bathroom floor. Check what you currently have available. If you are only doing this project for a one time deal, see if you might be able to borrow some tools from a family member or friend.

Home Depot is a great spot to rent tools if you are not ready to make that investment. I rented a wet tile saw on my first kitchen backsplash. The customer service team at Home Depot will help you know how to set up the saw and what size is best for your project.

Here are the tools I used for this project:

Material List:

These are the materials I used for tiling our half bathroom floor. Some of these material may not be needed depending on your existing floor or material you will use.

One tip, thin-set mortar and grout both come in a pre-mixed version and bag where you will need to add water. If this is your first project and you are feeling intimidated, go ahead and buy the pre-mixed. It will be a little more expensive upfront, but you know you are getting the right consistency for the material for the tile and cement board to adhere too.

Step-by-Step Guide to Tiling a Bathroom Floor:

1. Measure your floor

Measure the flooring to determine how much square footage of tile and cement board you will need. Cement board or will be screwed into the subfloor. This is a waterproof barrier to protect your subfloor and allows you to attached your tile to this board.

2. Remove Toilet (Optional)

Turn off water supply running to the toilet. Use a wrench to loose the toilet supply line. You may want a bowl to catch dripping water. To remove the toilet, start by popping the bolt caps off and using a wrench to loosen the toilet bolts. With the help of spouse or friend, lift the toilet bowl up. The was ring may need to be finagled to remove. After the toiled is removed, try to remove as much at the previous as possible of the wax ring.

If the new tile is the same height, you don’t need to remove. I did in this scenario and I do think it is easier.

3. Remove existing baseboards

Using a utility knife, score the caulk located between the wall and baseboard. Hammer the trim puller in the space and toggle back and forth until the baseboard are removed.

4. Remove existing flooring

Once the baseboard is removed, start to pull the flooring. I had vinyl planking so I pulled up my flooring pretty easily. If you have tile, you will need to demo the floor by using a hammer and pulling up the existing tile. You also might have cement board. You can actually use that if it is in good condition when you demo.

tiling a bathroom floor - remove existing tile

5. Add cement board to subfloor

I used HardieBacker cement board. To install the cement board, I prepared my thin-set mortar following the direction on the bag. Then, I used my notched trowel to spread the mortar evenly on the sub floor. Once this is completed, place your cement board over the mortar and secure using cement board screw. Screws should be placed every 6-8 inches. You will repeat this process until the cement board is installed. Allow for this to dry 24 hours.

6. Mesh Tape and prepare mortar for tiling

At every seam of your cement board, you will use mesh drywall tape. Then mix your thin-set mortar again following the instructions. You will then use the trowel to gently cover the seams of the cement board. You will also follow the same process has your install your tile.

7. Cut Threshold

Cut your threshold using your tile saw. It should sit under your door casing. apply the already prepared mortar with the trowel and push the threshold under the door casing.

Note: If you’re tile is the same height has your existing flooring, you don’t have to have a threshold. I know I want to replace our main flooring in the future so the threshold acts has a nice transition strip from the bathroom to the hallway.

8. Start Tiling

Pick a corner to start laying your tile. Once you decide the corner you will place the mortar and start laying the tile down on top. Using the spacers, you will place around the tile as you go. This will ensure that you have a symmetrical spacing of the tile around. You will need to use the tile saw to cut the tiles down around air vents and the toilet.

9. Wait 24 Hours for mortar to dry

Once you’re done tiling, you will need to wait a day before you can grout. You also do not want to walk on the tile while the mortar is still setting. This could cause the tile to shirt in place.

10. Grout the tile

Once the mortar is dry, remove your spacers. Mix the grout together per the instructions on the bag if not using a pre-mixed grout. Using your grout float, you will take the grout and gently push it into the space between the tiles.

11. Clean the grout

After the grout is on the tile, take a clean bucket of water and a clean sponge. Gently wipe the grout with the sponge. You will want to repeat this process until the haze is gone.

Tip: Do not use too much pressure when cleaning the haze. Too much pressure will cause the grout to be absorbed in the space between tiles.

12. Return the baseboards and toilet

Once the tile grout is dry, approximately 24 hours, you can return the baseboards and the toilet to the bathroom.

Related: DIY Board and Batten Wall

Final words on tiling a bathroom floor

This tutorial is to help outline you Tiling a bathroom floor can make a huge impact on the bathroom. The great thing about once you have learned to tile in the bathroom you can use this same technique to tile a backsplash.

I hope you found this tutorial helpful and are less intimidated to DIY a bathroom tile floor.

Easy DIY: Tiling a Bathroom Floor

Tools List:

Material List: