Floor prep and leveling that makes concrete and wood subfloors flat, clean and ready for tile, using grinding, patching and self-leveling compounds.
Tile can only be as flat as the floor beneath it. Dips and humps show up as uneven grout lines, rocking tiles and cracked edges, and large tiles make every flaw obvious. Floor prep is the least glamorous part of a tile job and the most important. Homeowners in Nashville who have seen a badly prepped floor know why, and we treat prep as the foundation of the whole project.
We measure the floor with a long straightedge and mark high and low spots. High spots are ground down, low spots are filled with patching compound and larger areas can be flooded with self-leveling underlayment. We clean the surface, remove old adhesives and prime it so the new material bonds. Wood subfloors may need new plywood, screws and stiffening, and we explain what the floor needs before tile is ordered. After leveling, we recheck flatness and cure time before setting tile. Tell us what tile size you plan to install, since larger tile needs a flatter floor. Photograph any visible dips or cracks and note any doors that may need trimming. If the floor will be higher after leveling, we discuss how it meets thresholds and neighboring rooms.
Straightedge checks find high and low spots.
Humps removed and dips patched.
Large low areas flooded flat.
Flatness verified before tile.
Drag the handle to compare.
BeforeAfterStraightedge checks mark high and low spots.
Humps removed and dips patched.
Large areas flooded to flat.
Surface ready for bond.
Stiffness and fasteners checked.
Flatness verified before tile.
Every topic has its own page with what to expect and how we approach it.
Comparison guideFloor Prep and LevelingWhy tile needs a flat, clean, sound base, how flatness is checked and how leveling compounds and grinding…Learn more 
Comparison guideSubfloors and UnderlaymentWhy a stiff subfloor matters for tile, what deflection means and how underlayments and uncoupling layers support floors.Learn more 
Comparison guideTile Size and Grout LinesHow mosaics, standard tile and large-format tile change the look, the grout lines, the installation and the cleaning.Learn more Pick the project and options to see a typical sequence from estimate and ordering to prep, setting, grout and finishing, with cure times.
You tell us the rooms, the tile you like and your timing, and we ask about the floors, walls and any water issues.
We check flatness, moisture and layout from photos or a visit and talk through materials, pattern and trim.
You get a plain written scope with prep, waterproofing, materials, schedule and cure times before anything is ordered.
Old tile comes out, floors are repaired and leveled, backer board and membranes go in and showers are waterproofed and tested.
Tile is set with the right mortar, checked for flatness and alignment and cut carefully at the edges.
We grout, seal and caulk, clean up and walk the finished job with you, leaving written care tips and extra tile.
It depends on the tile. Large tile needs a very flat floor, often within about an eighth of an inch over ten feet.
Yes, with patching, underlayment or added plywood, depending on its condition.
A poured cement-based product that flows flat, used for larger low areas.
Often a day or so before tile, depending on the product and thickness.
It can. We explain how finished height affects doors and adjoining floors.
Subfloor RepairSubfloor repair and reinforcement that replaces soft or damaged plywood, adds blocking and stiffens floors so tile does…Explore 
Backer BoardBacker board and underlayment installation that gives tile a stable, moisture-ready bed on walls and floors, with taped…Explore 
Large-Format TileLarge-format tile floors with very flat substrates, careful setting and minimal grout lines for a clean, modern look…Explore 
Moisture TestingMoisture testing and vapor control for concrete slabs and basements, with simple tests and vapor barriers so moisture…Explore Tell us about your project and we will call you back to set up a visit.
Or call (615) 357-7797 to talk now.
