Professional Tile Installation Process: What to Expect from TAV

Step 1: Substrate Preparation and Waterproofing

The single most common cause of tile failure — cracked grout, loose tiles, lippage — is an inadequate substrate. Before a single tile is set, our crew inspects and prepares the surface to meet or exceed the deflection tolerances required by the Tile Council of North America (TCNA).

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  Cement board or Schluter membranes — not bare plywood.

  Plywood expands and contracts with humidity. Cement board (Hardiebacker, Durock) and uncoupling membranes (Schluter DITRA) decouple tile from subfloor movement, preventing stress fractures in your grout lines over time.

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  Deflection testing for large-format tile.

  12×24 and larger tiles are unforgiving. A floor that flexes more than L/360 under load will crack grout within months. We test joist spacing and span, adding blocking or sister joists where necessary before any tile goes down.

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  Waterproofing in wet areas.

  Shower pans, curbs, and niche walls receive a full waterproofing membrane — either sheet membrane or liquid-applied Redgard — before tile begins. We flood-test every shower pan before tiling. No exceptions.

The Setting Phase: Layout, Thinset, and Leveling

Once the substrate passes inspection, the setting phase begins. This is where pattern, coverage, and flatness are established — and where cheap installs typically cut corners. TAV's process prioritizes long-term performance over speed.

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  Dry-layout for pattern approval.

  Before any thinset is mixed, we dry-lay tiles in the planned pattern — Herringbone, Brick Offset, Grid, or custom — so you can walk the layout and approve it. Cuts at doorways and focal walls are planned to avoid slivers below a half-tile.

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  Back-buttering for 100% thinset coverage.

  TCNA requires 80% thinset coverage in dry areas and 95% in wet areas. We back-butter every large-format tile in addition to combing the substrate. Voids beneath tile trap moisture and create hollow spots that crack under load.

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  Lippage control systems.

  We use clip-and-wedge leveling spacers on all large-format and rectified tile. Lippage — the vertical offset between adjacent tile edges — is virtually eliminated. The result is a flat, professional finish with consistent joint width throughout.

Grouting, Sealing, and Final Inspection

Grout selection and application are the last line of defense for a tile installation. The wrong grout or a rushed application leads to staining, cracking, and premature failure. TAV specifies grout based on joint width, traffic load, and exposure to moisture.

After grouting, all cementitious grout joints are cleaned and — where specified — sealed with a penetrating sealer to resist moisture and staining. Natural stone surfaces receive a full stone sealer application. Before we leave the job site, we walk the completed installation with you, checking for any lippage, hollow tiles, cracked grout, or inconsistent joint width.

You'll receive care instructions for your specific tile type and grout product, including recommended cure time before foot traffic and any sealer reapplication schedule.