• strict warning: Non-static method Pagination::getInstance() should not be called statically in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 307.
  • strict warning: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 307.
  • strict warning: Non-static method Pagination::getInstance() should not be called statically in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 410.
  • strict warning: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 410.
  • strict warning: Non-static method Pagination::getInstance() should not be called statically in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 344.
  • strict warning: Only variables should be assigned by reference in /home/buildingsurplus/public_html/sites/all/modules/pagination/pagination.module on line 344.

DO IT YOURSELF

10 Tiling Tips 2010/01/08

Tiling is one of the most common things homeowners undertake themselves. It doesn’t require extensive training or knowledge to do. In fact, it can be a pretty painless job once you get the hang of it. However, this does not mean that there’s no preparation or planning involved, nor does it mean you can just grab and handful of tiles and some grout and go to town without having any idea what to do. This guide will give you some tips that will help to make your tiling experience a pleasant one.

1)       Preparing the surface: Possibly the most common problem facing do-it-yourself tile-layers is that they don’t pay enough attention to the area they intend to tile. It’s absolutely necessary to thoroughly clean and wash the surface before you begin tiling. Dirt and small debris can lead to uneven or unstable tiling and will cause plenty of problems for you.

2)       Take your time grouting: Don’t rush this process, as it’s very important to tiling. Grout an area smoothly and evenly before you lay down your tile. Don’t grout too large of an area or else parts may be dried by the time you get to them with the tiles.

3)       Fix it now and save later: When your tile is laid down, get another pair of eyes to look over it with you. Try to find any places where the tiles might be uneven or set poorly. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to fix as the grout hardens.

4)       Make use of battens: A batten is a thin wooden rod which you use to line the tiles up. They’re a huge help in making sure that everything’s laid in a straight line. Laying tiles without the use of battens will likely result in uneven tiles. Battens are cheap; I strongly advise you make use of them.

5)       Remove excess grout: You can always tell when a non-professional’s laid down tile when you can see grout sticking out. It’s best if you can remove any excess grout immediately, but even if it’s allowed to dry it’s a fairly easy fix.

6)       Keep adhesive even: Some people suggest putting extra adhesive on the corners of the tile. This is not advisable, as when the adhesive dries it shrinks and if there’s excess adhesive on the corners it will increase the chance of cracking. Better to keep it spread more evenly.

7)       Fill your bath up: If you intend on tiling your bathroom, fill your bath tub full of water before you lay your tile down. When a bath is full of water it will move and shift slightly, which can be pretty bad news for your tile if you aren’t careful.

8)       Use proper adhesive: Another common mistake is choosing the wrong adhesive. For example, if you’re tiling a bathroom or a kitchen, you’ll want to make sure you’re using waterproof adhesive. Try to match the adhesive to the area you’re going to be tiling.

9)       Buy excess tiles: Let’s face it, nobody’s perfect. It’s easy to miscalculate the amount of tiles you’ll need by a little bit – it’s hard to know what exactly is required before you actually start working. Add in accidental cracks or difficulties cutting them to size and you’re better off to buy 10-15% more tiles than you calculated was necessary.

10)   Planning, planning, planning: The absolute biggest and most costly mistake you can make is poor planning. Don’t ever cut corners or try to shave time by estimating. Measure the surface you need to tile twice and write it down. As mentioned previously, purchase the correct adhesives as well as extra tiles. Cutting tiles down can be frustrating, so the less cuts you need to make the better. The simpler the better.

view counter