How to Stop Floor Tiles from Cracking?
Sand down any bumps or unevenness in the plywood. Once the plywood is laid and nailed down, use a level to check the plywood for small bumps and ridges. Use a belt sander to lightly sand down any uneven areas. Move the sander in a circular motion on the plywood to ensure an even sanding. Secure the plywood in place. Once all of the sheets are set down correctly, go through and pound the nails the rest of the way in. Follow the line of the joist underneath and space screws or nails every six inches.
Sweep the mosaic tile of sand and debris to get ready for the thinset mortar. Once everything has been nailed down and sanded, you’re ready to add another layer to the polished tile. The first thing you need to do is sweep the tile of all debris. Vacuuming with a shopvac would be a good idea as well in order to get dirt trapped in crevices and other hard to sweep areas.
Measure the tile and cut it to size. If you are using a thinner wood tile, you can score it with a knife and snap off what you don’t need. If the glazed rustic tile is thicker, a circular saw can make precise cuts to fit the tile to the contours of the room. Mix a batch of thinset mortar in a bucket according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Add the water first and then the powder to ensure that all the powder gets properly mixed in. Mix the thinset until the consistency is a little thicker than pancake batter.
Dollop out only enough mortar to for the piece of tile you are about to set down. Use a ¼ inch notched trowel to spread the mortar. Go from left to right and make uniform lines with the trowel. The ridges created in the mortar should not droop. Lay down the ceramic tile rough-side up. The cement tile can be laid directly on top of the adhesive leaving an eighth-inch gap between tiles. Make sure the tile is 1/2 inch away from the wall all the way around the room.
Fasten the cement tile to the plywood with 1 1/4-inch wall tile screws. The screws are designed so that they sit flush with the cement tile when screwed in so the head sits flush with the panel. Drive the screws every 8 inches along the perimeter of the ceramic tile and in its center. You will see circles on the tile where the screws are supposed to go.
Be careful not to screw too deeply because it can easily crack the tile. Screws should be 1/2 inch away from the edges of the black tile and 2 inches away from tilecorners. Finish laying out the rest of the tile, staggering the joints as you go. Stagger the sheets of wood marble tile as you lay them. Make sure that the edges of the cement tile do not line up with those of the plywood. This adds structural strength and limits pathways for water.
