10 Tips to do with TilingIf you have a tiling project to do or thinking of turning your DIY hobby interest into a
business then here are some important tips to help you along the way on your tiling projects, you can learn how to correctly tile on some of the good tiling training courses that are available which can fast track you into a professional, learn from tutors that have years of experience and the tricks of the trade.1 ToolsIf you are going to do a quality job make sure you have the correct tools, it makes life much easier and results in a better standard of work. Main tiling tools are;
2 Measuring the jobWhen measuring up the job simply get a tape measure and multiply the length of the wall x the height of the wall, do this for all 4 walls and add the numbers together. If there is something that does not require tiles like a door or window then measure the length and height of these and subtract them from the total area. It is easier to do your calculations in metres as tiles are generally sold in this way. Make sure you add 10% onto the total for waste cuts.
3 Tile selectionIt is important for you to choose the correct tile for the job, make sure if you are doing the floor then the tiles say floor tiles on the box as
wall tiles fitted to the floor will crack as they are not strong enough.
4 Types of tileThere are many different types of tile, ceramic is the easiest and cheapest tile to use but doesn’t have the same effect as some of the more expensive types. Porcelain tiles are a bit more expensive than ceramic but are much harder wearing although they can be harder to cut. Natural stone tiles look good but generally are very expensive, marble, granite, quartz and limestone need extra care as sealers are required to stop grout stains and water fed electric tile cutters are needed to cut and shape this kind of tile
5 Setting outIt is important to set out your job prior to fixing, try and see where the tiles are going to end up by marking a pencil line where the tile will land, try and avoid starting on the floor or in the corner of the room as these are most likely to be out of square meaning your tiles will run off, start your first tile off the floor and using a level will guarantee that the tiles will stay level up the wall.
6 Background PreparationsIt is important to prime your backgrounds before fixing tiles, this will ensure that the correct bond can take place also make sure that there are no loose defects on the wall or floors
7 Adhesive selectionsIf you are tiling a floor then make sure you use powdered cement and NOT a tub ready mix adhesive. If the floor is wood then a flexi cement will be needed to bond to the wood and allow for slight expansion of the timber.
8 Sanitary wareWhen dealing with showers and baths it is wise to use a silicone sealant before you tile, apply the silicone in the joint between the bath/ shower and the wall. Once this is dry and tiled apply another bead of silicone to the edge where the tile meets the bath or shower tray.
9 Polishing up After grouting has been done, leave it to dry until it has gone powdery then you can use a soft microfiber cloth to buff up to a beautiful shine.
10 DisposalWhen you have finished be careful when disposing of excess waste tile as these will have very sharp edges. Any cement product should be allowed to harden then disposed of, do not pour cement products down drains as this will harden and block them up.
UK Pro Tiling Training offer quality professional fast track tiling courses whether it is for your own projects or a career change we have a course for you.