How to lay tiles yourself perfectly flat — no more lifting, hollow-sounding tiles

Many people who want to try laying their own floor tiles worry about tiles lifting or the edges ending up uneven so you trip over them. In fact, laying tiles perfectly flat isn't a matter of luck — it's about using the right tools and following the right steps.

1. Prepare the surface and stop using the 'dot and dab' method

Before laying, clean the existing floor so it's free of dust and grease, level the existing concrete floor so it's flat and even, and most importantly, never lay tiles with the 'dot and dab' method (a lump of tile adhesive in the middle of the tile). It leaves air pockets under the tile, and over time or with temperature changes, the tile will lift and crack easily.

2. Use a notched trowel to comb the adhesive into ridges

The right way to apply adhesive is to use a notched trowel to comb the cement-based tile adhesive into long ridges running in one direction, both on the floor and on the back of the tile. This spreads the adhesive across the whole back of the tile when you press it down, effectively reducing air pockets underneath.

3. Use tile levelling tools and leave grout joints

For beginners, we recommend using tile levelling clips together with locking pliers. They automatically pull the edges of every tile to the same height. Also, don't butt the tiles too tightly together — always leave grout joints of at least 1.5 - 2 millimetres so the tiles have room to expand with temperature changes.

Key steps checklist for DIY tiling

• Clean the surface: Vacuum and sweep away all dust and grit
• Mix the adhesive to the right ratio: mix the cement-based adhesive with clean water until smooth and uniform
• Comb the adhesive with a notched trowel: long ridges in one direction — no dot and dab
• Fit levelling clips: insert clips at the corners and edges to lock the heights level
• Leave grout joints: use tile spacers so the tiles don't push against each other and lift

Caution: If your tiling job involves removing the existing floor structure, large cracks that affect the strength of the house, or moving water pipes and wiring under the floor, consult a specialist tradesperson or structural engineer for safety and to prevent major problems later.