Practical guide
Floor Tiles: Preparation, Showers, Paint and Cleaning
Check the floor system, wet-area suitability and care instructions before laying, painting or cleaning floor tiles.
Updated 16 October 2026
Reviewed by the 99Tools team. Editorial and corrections policy.
What do you need to tile a floor?
Start with a measured layout and a tile intended for the location. Identify the background, its stability, moisture condition and surface preparation requirements. Select a compatible adhesive, grout, primer where specified, movement-joint details and any required membrane. A quantity estimate helps with purchasing; it does not make a weak, moving or unsuitable background ready for tiles. Obtain the selected system instructions before choosing tools and mixing materials.
How to use tile adhesive on a floor
Follow the exact adhesive instructions for the tile, substrate, water or additive, mixing, open time and cure. Use the specified trowel and application method, and check that tiles achieve the required adhesive contact. Do not assume one cement-to-sand recipe replaces a proprietary adhesive system. Large formats and certain installations may need additional adhesive on the tile back. Do not use adhesive to correct any floor defect beyond its permitted thickness.
Tiling a wooden floor and removing old adhesive
Timber movement and deflection require a system approved for that floor construction; ordinary tile adhesive alone does not solve movement. Check required support, preparation, boards or membranes with the system supplier. For an existing floor, identify the tile, adhesive and background before selecting removal equipment or a chemical remover. Older unknown materials may need assessment before disturbance. Confirm compatibility and permitted methods rather than applying acid or grinding indiscriminately.
Shower floor tile and walk-in shower ideas
A walk-in or tiled shower still needs a complete waterproofing and drainage arrangement. The floor falls, drain junction, corners and wall-to-floor interfaces must work together. Tile and grout are finishes rather than proof of a waterproof enclosure. Small-format tiles can help a layout follow changes in plane, but size and additional grout lines alone do not establish wet slip performance. Confirm the selected product and system for the intended use. This guide does not prescribe one fall or substitute for the installation design.
Floor tile paint in South Africa
Check that the proposed coating is explicitly approved for the exact ceramic, porcelain or other tiled floor, its preparation, foot traffic and moisture exposure. Wall tile coatings and paints intended for concrete may have different limits. A bonding primer alone does not make every topcoat suitable for a shower or garage floor. Follow the complete coating system, cure period and maintenance instructions, and assess the finished slip performance for the location before choosing colours or gloss.
How to clean floor tile grout
Remove loose dirt, identify the tile and grout, then choose a compatible cleaner. Follow label dilution, contact time, agitation and rinsing instructions and test in a small inconspicuous area. Allowing the correct cleaner to work may reduce effort, but a no-scrub result cannot be promised for every stain. Cement haze, grease, mould and routine dirt may need different products. Do not mix cleaning chemicals or use acidic household remedies on an unidentified surface.
Shiny tiles and non-slip claims
A glossy finish is an appearance, not a slip-safety test. Residue, wax or an unsuitable polish can change surface behaviour. Use the manufacturer’s maintenance method and assess wet-area or garage suitability separately. Recurrent staining, loose tiles, dampness or cracked grout may indicate a problem that cleaning cannot repair. Keep tile cleaning separate from fixing the floor or waterproofing system.
Use the related calculators
Apply the explanation above with your own figures. Open a calculator below, check every input and review the result assumptions before making a decision.
Frequently asked questions
Can I tile a shower floor without a tray?
A tiled shower requires an appropriate waterproofing and drainage system with detailed interfaces. Omitting a prefabricated tray does not remove those requirements.
Can I make every tile shiny and non-slip?
No. Appearance does not establish slip performance. Use approved products and maintenance for the actual location.
Can I clean all grout without scrubbing?
No result is guaranteed. Use a compatible cleaner with its specified dilution and dwell time, then agitate and rinse as instructed.
Can wall tile paint be used on floor tiles?
Only if the exact coating system is explicitly approved for the tiled floor and exposure. Wall-use approval alone is insufficient.