A South Tampa kitchen got a 24×12 porcelain tile floor installed in a brick pattern over a self-leveled concrete slab — replacing cracked 20-year-old ceramic tile.
The Challenge
The South Tampa kitchen had original 12×12 ceramic tile from a 1990s renovation. Several tiles were cracked; the grout joints were stained and two tiles had chipped edges near the refrigerator. The homeowner wanted a modern large-format tile in a warm neutral to complement a recently painted kitchen.
Our Solution
We removed the old tile, self-leveled a 1/4" low spot near the refrigerator alcove, installed 1/4" tile backer, and set 24×12 porcelain in a standard brick offset. We grouted with an unsanded cocoa grout and sealed all joints.
The Result
The kitchen floor is transformed. The larger format tiles with tighter grout joints look clean and modern. The self-leveling step ensured a perfectly flat final surface with no lippage between tiles.
Work Completed
- Remove existing 12×12 ceramic tile
- Self-level 1/4" low spot near refrigerator
- Install 1/4" cement tile backer
- Set 24×12 warm-gray porcelain in brick offset pattern
- Unsanded cocoa grout — 1/8" joints
- Seal all grout joints after 72-hour cure
Questions About This Project
Why is self-leveling important before tile installation?
Tile over an uneven slab cracks within a year — the high spots concentrate stress on the tile edges and grout joints. Self-leveling is a 30-minute step that prevents years of cracked tile problems.
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