Fairfield Tile Installation

Since 4000 BCE, decorative tiles have been used to bring interior and exterior spaces to life. While tile can perform a functional purpose, such as by protecting your kitchen walls from food splatters around your stove, it can also instantly transform a space from old and outdated to modern and stylish. If your bathroom floors or kitchen backsplash are in need of repair or replacement, get creative with your space and invest in a Fairfield tile installation service.

Installing flooring or backsplashes on your own can be a daunting process. Even the smallest error can throw off the result and leave you disappointed with the transformation. With the help of one of our talented Fairfield handyman professionals, we’ll have your tile installation completed to a high standard in no time!

Our Fairfield Tile Installation Service

When planning a tile installation, most Fairfield County homeowners focus on the style and design of the installation rather than the nitty gritty details. Although the appearance of the finished result is important—after all, you’ll be looking at it every day—many homeowners forget that tile also has a very functional purpose.

If being used as flooring, it must be evenly installed to prevent tripping hazards, be moisture resistant, and be durable. If planning to combine with underfloor heating, you may even want to ensure that it conducts heat well. If this installation is done incorrectly, your project will need to be redone in the near future. You may also find yourself dealing with deeper structural issues caused by water damage.

Fortunately, our handyman team is fully trained and experienced in both wall and floor tile installations in Fairfield. Over the years, we’ve seen it all. Some of the most common materials we’ve installed include:

• Ceramic
• Porcelain
• Natural stone (such as slate)
• Glass
• Mosaic
• Cement
• Vinyl
• Laminate
• And more!

If you don’t see the material you’ve chosen for your installation project, rest assured that we have the experience to work with other, less popular materials as well.

Whether you’re in need of a backsplash installation for your kitchen or need your bathroom floor retiled, our installation process follows these same five phases: preparation, installation, grouting, cleanup, and sealing.

Installation Preparation

The preparation stage is perhaps the most important part of your Fairfield tile installation. If the surface is not properly prepared, it won’t matter how well we lay tiles. Surface preparation looks a little different depending on whether we’re installing tile flooring or wall tiles.

For flooring, an underlayment must be applied to your subfloor. Underlayment provides a smooth and level surface to work on. Depending on the condition and material of your subfloor, different types of underlayment are recommended. Some possible underlayment materials include cement board, backerboard, plywood, foam, and cork. Keep in mind that these are only some of the options available to you and will vary according to your home.

For walls, we’ll install a temporary horizontal board—called a ledger board—to your wall, to help provide tiles with support against gravity while curing. We’ll also perform any necessary drywall repairs to create a smooth surface.

After preparing the surface, we’ll plan out the arrangement by taking measurements and dry laying tiles to get a visual before applying adhesive. Once we’re ready to begin, we’ll mix up and apply a thin layer of thinset to a small area of the surface. Because thinset cures quickly, we’ll only apply a bit at a time as we go.

Tile Installation

Once the applied thinset has cured to the optimal amount for adhesion, we’ll begin laying our first row of tiles. For flooring, it is best practice to lay the center tile first, and then work outwards towards the walls. To ensure that everything is evenly spaced, we’ll use tile spacers.

When we get to the more tricky edge tiles, we’ll take measurements and cut them to the perfect size and shape using a wet saw.

Tile Grouting

Once the thinset has fully cured, it’s time to apply grout. The amount of time it will take to cure partly depends on the time of year that your installation service takes place. Your handyman professional will explain all the details of your specific project to you at the beginning of your appointment so that you know exactly what to expect, both in terms of the project scope and timeline.

Before applying grout, we’ll remove any excess thinset sticking out between tiles. Then, using a grout float, we’ll apply grout to the joints between each slab. Ensuring the grout lines are fully filled and flushed with the surface takes an experienced hand, and flawless application is always our goal. Grouting is essential for preventing your tile from cracking, shifting, and chipping.

Clean-Up

Once the grout has cured for a few hours, we’ll go in and clean up the surface of the tiles. To fill grout lines completely, it’s impossible to avoid getting grout on the tile surface. Using a bucket of clean water and a damp sponge, we’ll smooth all grout lines and wipe the thin film of grout from the surface. We may also use a grout haze remover to ensure all traces of grout are removed, leaving you with a nice, shiny surface.

Tile Sealing

Depending on the material and grout used, your tiles and grout may need to be sealed. Sealants have a dual purpose of protection and appearance enhancement. If your grout needs to be sealed, we’ll come back another day to finish it off. Grout must be fully cured prior to applying sealant, so the longer it has to dry, the better.

We’ll also seal any 90-degree joints, such as the joint between your tile backsplash and countertop, with caulking. This brings the entire installation together and creates a waterproof seal.

Maintenance Following Your Fairfield Tile Installation Service

One of the biggest benefits of using tile on both your flooring and walls is that it is relatively maintenance-free. That being said, the more care you take with your newly installed surface, the longer it will stay in good condition. Well cared for tile in Fairfield can last half a century or longer.

Tile backsplash and flooring maintenance generally just come down to keeping them clean. Your backsplash is bound to get cooking splatters on it. Ensure that you wipe down your backsplash immediately after cooking to avoid stains.

For flooring, we recommend regularly sweeping and vacuuming. Though small debris particles may not seem like a big deal, over time, they can cause scuff marks and steadily wear down the surface, reducing the shine.

When cleaning both of these surfaces, keep these additional simple tips in mind:

• Use cleaners specifically formulated for your material. A natural stone surface should be treated differently than a vinyl surface.
• Use non-abrasive cleaning cloths. Anything meant for deep scrubbing, such as a scouring pad, could scratch the surface of your tile.
• Use a combination of water and baking soda to clean grout, or purchase a grout cleaner.

If any of your tiles chip or crack, or if your grout starts to crumble and fall out, don’t panic. All of these issues can be remedied with tile repair. Epoxy and paint can be used to fill chips and cracks. If you ordered more tile than you needed for your installation—which we recommend doing to be on the safe side—then it may be possible to replace the damaged piece. Grout can also be easily refilled and resealed.

Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County Is Your One-Stop Shop For Tile Installation

Our customer focused team at Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County is proud to be part of the larger Mr. Handyman community. We take pride in being able to provide our customers in the local area with excellent customer service, high quality of workmanship, and competitive prices.

When you hire us for your Fairfield tile installation, you’ll get peace of mind in knowing that you’re working with a home services company that follows the highest industry wide standards. All of our handyman and carpentry professionals have an average of 10 years’ experience, have undergone a thorough background check program, and are fully insured. We also stand behind our work—if you’re not satisfied with the quality of installation, we’ll come back right away to make things right. Between all these perks and upfront pricing, you can’t go wrong with hiring Mr. Handyman of Upper Fairfield County for your tile installation!

Fairfield Tile Installation FAQs

Can I Install and Repair Tile On My Own?

Several decades ago, homeowners rarely took on home improvement projects on their own. Today, the script has flipped. Many homeowners would prefer to tackle installation projects on their own with the help of how-to guides on the internet and instructional videos. With so many resources at your disposal, you may feel as though you can take on any home improvement project with enough research.

We’re all for becoming more handy around the home, but we recommend leaving tile installation to the professionals, unless you’re experienced in this type of work. There are a couple things that make Fairfield tile installation one of the more challenging projects to DIY:

• Time Constraints: You must complete your installation before grout and thinset dries too much. This means that you can’t really take your time with this project—you must work efficiently to avoid having to scrape up thinset and reapply it, or worse, end up with loose pieces at the end of the project.
• Surface Preparation: Most homeowners don’t know what to look for when inspecting their subfloor and choosing underlayment. If you get this preparation step wrong, your entire tile application will be impacted.

Is There A Difference Between Floor Tiles And Wall Tiles?

Yes! Floor tiles and wall tiles should not be used interchangeably. Floor tiles need to be much more sturdy than wall tiles. For example, glass tiles should only be used on walls, as walking on them could cause them to break.

In some circumstances, you may be able to apply floor tiles to walls, but we generally recommend filtering your search according to the area you plan to do tile installation when shopping for products.

Which Is Better For Tile Installation in Fairfield, CT—Ceramic or Porcelain?

We’ll let you in on a little secret. You may have heard that porcelain tiles are superior to ceramic, but in reality, they’re pretty much identical products. Yes, porcelain is denser, and therefore less likely to break. And yes, porcelain is also more impervious to moisture. However, comparing these two products is like comparing a student who receives 100% on an exam, and a student who receives a 99% on an exam. The first student did better, but does the difference in their results really make much of a difference in the end?

Likewise, though ceramic tile is less durable and less moisture resistant than porcelain, it is still highly unlikely to absorb water or break. Plus, it tends to cost less than porcelain, so why not go for the more affordable option when the performance is essentially the same?

How Much Does Tile Installation in Fairfield, CT Cost?

Your Fairfield tile installation project cost will be influenced by several factors:

• Material chosen
• Size of space
• Subfloor preparation requirements
• Amount of sealant required
• And supply chain demand at the time of service

With all these factors in mind, it’s not possible to provide an accurate estimate without discussing your project first. We’re happy to provide you with a free, in-person consultation to determine how much your Fairfield tile installation project will cost.

Contact Mr. Handyman For Help With Your Fairfield Tile Installation Project!

Whether you live in Westport, Darien, New Canaan, or another community within our service area, we can’t wait to help you with your Fairfield tile installation project. To book an appointment or get more information about similar services, like tile repair, feel free to give our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team a call today at 866-550-1710 . We look forward to serving you!