How to Use Ceramic Tile Spacers
- 1). Use spacers to do a trial layout of ceramic tile floors or countertops. Square spacers are inserted between tiles. Place two spacers on all four sides. Place spacers near the corners of the tiles. Plus-sign-shaped spacers are placed between the tiles at their corners. One plus-sign spacer, laid flat, will fit the corners of four tiles. Plus-sign spacers can also be used at the sides of tiles, with just one leg of the plus sign inserted between tiles; this placement is more easily removed.
- 2). Use spacers again when installing the tiles. For floors, lay out tiles starting in the center and work your way towards the walls. For walls and floors, use chalk lines for guides and continuously make sure that the columns and rows of tiles are straight and even.
- 3). Finish a small section at a time. Let the adhesive partially set up between sections (about 10 minutes), remove the spacers by pulling them out with your fingers or with needle nose pliers, and then move on to another section.
- 4). Make sure all spacers are removed from tiles before the adhesive totally cures. After the adhesive does cure, you are ready to apply grout.