How Long Should You Wait Before Walking On New Tile Flooring?

Tile can make a great addition inside a home, but the installation process is time-consuming and could greatly inconvenience the residents of the house being renovated. Perhaps the most infuriating step of the remodel is the curing process — the extended period following the installation where the tile must settle before use. Residents should avoid walking or placing pressure upon newly-installed tile floors for around 24 hours to ensure the mortar is properly cementing the tiles to the floor's underlayment sets. The inhabitants should then wait an additional 24 to 72 hours after the tiles are grouted before walking on them.

While the hired contractor's job is technically finished at this point, the curing stage is critical when laying the tile. Not giving the material the time it needs to settle correctly could lead to the handiwork appearing shoddy or problems with the flooring in the future. Tile installation is not a job suited for everyone. It's a  complex and laborious task, requiring patience and careful attention to detail. And with contractors charging up to thousands of dollars to complete the job, homeowners should take every measure necessary to ensure that their floors are given ample time to settle to achieve the best-looking and longest-lasting results. Here's more on the caution residents need to take after installing tile in their homes, as well as what may happen if they avoid it.

Though contractors may tell you to wait at least 12 hours before using your new tile floors, household members should wait a full day before walking on or grouting newly-installed tiles for optimal results. Mortar, the thick, usually gray or brown substance that secures the individual tiles to the underlayment material underneath, requires much time to cure thoroughly. Though 24 hours is the general measurement of thumb for tile installation, some mortar might need more time to settle.

The actions that homeowners should take to give their floors time to cure largely depend on the importance of the room in which the tile was installed. For example, if renovating a spare bathroom in your home is rarely used, residents should be fine to stay in the house overnight and follow their daily routines as usual. Though, if you're installing tile inside a family room, kitchen, or some other area in your home that residents frequently use, it may be best to make arrangements to stay at an alternate location overnight beforehand to prevent any mindless accidents. It may also prove useful to install tile in phases when working inside popular, high-traffic spaces of a home. This allows you to leave a walkway for residents to navigate or cut through the area instead of restricting access to your entire floor at once.

Walking or placing weight upon tile that hasn't had a chance to fully cure comes with its share of consequences. Since the grout and underlying mortar need ample time to set, applying pressure too early can cause the mixtures to shift, which can also alter the feeling and appearance of the tile. Tile is applied strategically, either in even rows or another premeditated design, so disruptions in the mortar will likely make noticeable eyesores for house residents who'll see them regularly. If the tiles and mortar are early into the curing process, it might be possible to gently maneuver the affected tiles back into their previous position. But in some cases, shifting tiles into place as a non-professional might cause more harm than good, primarily if you've never worked with mortar previously. Contacting a professional after shifting occurs is always a safe choice.

Uneven tile can act as a safety hazard for residents and guests of the home, creating an imbalance in the floor that can cause people to trip or fall. Stepping on uncured tile can also result in tiles popping off prematurely, which may lead to paying a contractor additional fees to initiate repairs or learning to execute the repair yourself. Also, keep water away from your tile floors upon initial installation, as water can cause the mortar underneath to weaken, prolonging the curing process.