Bathroom floor with a leveling system: checklist
Short answer
A typical 5×8 ft bathroom floor in 12×24 tile needs about 66 leveling clips (1 pack of 100) and the same number of wedges, plus a leveling plier, thinset, a notched trowel, spacers for the walls and a rubber mallet. Check the floor is flat, plan the layout from the doorway, set the tile with clips every 12 inches, leave it overnight, then knock the clips off along the joints and grout.
Shopping list for a 5×8 ft floor (12×24 tile)
| Item | How much |
|---|---|
| Tile | 22 tiles (includes 10% for cuts) |
| Leveling clips | 66 clips: 1 pack of 100 |
| Leveling wedges | 66: 1 pack of 100, reusable |
| Leveling plier | 1 |
| U spacers | A handful, for the gap at walls and the tub |
| Thinset, trowel, mallet, level, straightedge | Per the thinset bag and tile size |
The quick-start pack ($39.00) covers the clips, wedges and plier for a floor this size. Different room? The clip calculator works it out.
Order of work
- Check flatness. Lay a long straightedge in several directions and fix dips or humps first.
- Plan the layout. Start from the doorway or the most visible edge so cut pieces end up at the walls and under the vanity.
- Pick the clip. 1.5 mm for rectified 12×24, 3.0 mm for pressed-edge. See the clip size guide.
- Set and clip. Back-butter each tile, bed it, and clip every edge at least every 12 inches.
- Tighten. Push in the wedges and seat them with the plier until the edges sit flush.
- Cure. Keep off the floor until the thinset can take foot traffic, usually overnight.
- Remove and grout. Knock clip tops off along the joint, pull and rinse the wedges, clean the joints, then grout.
Frequently asked questions
How many leveling clips for a small bathroom?
About 66 for a 40 sq ft floor in 12×24 tile, with 10% for cuts. One pack of 100 covers it.
Do I need leveling clips for a bathroom floor?
For 12×24 and larger tile, yes. Bathroom lights and window light show lippage easily.
