How to complete
a successful ceramic tile installation
Frederick M.
Hueston, Stone Forensics
www.stoneforensics.com
If laying ceramic tiles is totally new to you,
“how to complete a successful ceramic tile installation” is a set of basic but
important tips that you will help you avoid making costly mistakes on your next
bathroom or ceramic tile installation.
” Plan which Tile
” Shop around if you want to save
” Prepare the surface for a long lasting job
” Lay the tiles
” Finishing touches
Plan which Tile
This step is often underestimated and sometimes
even forgotten (can you believe it?). Planning your ceramic tile installation
from A to Z is probably one of the most important steps for a smooth, easy
going and problem free bathroom tile installation.
Some things to take in account are;
” Suitability of the tile
” Pattern /color of the tile
” Size of the tile
” Size of the area to be tiled. (This is important data that will be vital to
know how much tile, grout, etc, you have to buy)
” Adhesive, mortar or grout to suit your needs
Not all ceramic tile installations are the
same, different tiling installations may require different mortar or grout. DO
NOT feel shy about asking the suppliers for advice or help in calculating how
much you need. They will gladly help you, as they are likely to make a sale.
Shop around if you want to save
This isn’t as difficult as the first step,
however when the budget is tight it can be tricky to find the right tile for
the tile installation you want. You are going to have to make some compromises
and so don’t get carried away by the beauty of some of the tiles. Prices can
vary a lot between different tiles, so some end up rather expensive for only a
few square feet .
Always shop around, it has never been easier.
Just sit in front of the computer and use the Internet. Use local directories
to find the suppliers close to you and pay them a visit.
Before making your final decision always check
the chosen tile under different lights as the results can be surprisingly
different.
Prepare the surface for a long lasting job
before laying the tiles
The surface to be tiled (floor, wall or any other) will often need to be
prepared, this can include work like filling, levelling, smoothing, priming and
sometimes water proofing.
The right preparation will be directly affect
the lifespan of the tile installation. Unless you want to be tiling again soon,
you want to get this right from the start.
This is probably the most important point to
ensure a long lasting tiling job. Don’t rush it.
Laying the ceramic tiles safely
The technique of laying tiles is not
especially difficult. It only takes a little bit of practice before anyone can
easily master it. Clearing the room to be tiled before starting will help you
to do the job safer and easier. Don’t forget to wear your safety goggles when
cutting or chipping tiles.
Laying tiles can also be a bit messy, if you
don’t want dust all over the house we suggest sealing the room you want to tile
whenever possible. A large piece of plastic tacked to the door frame will do
the job quite well.
Try not to allow any adhesive to get on your
skin and never forget to read the manufacturer’s directions before even opening
the tin. If some ends up on you, just clean it with water as soon as possible.
Even though tile adhesives aren’t usually abrasive, if you leave it for some
time it may cause an allergic reaction.
Use a level to help you with the depth &
level of the tiles and spacers to maintain an even distance between them.
The finishing touches
Once the tile adhesive or mortar has cured
(dried) and the tiles are firm and even, you can start with the finishing
touches.
You’ll have to fill the spaces between tiles
with grout making sure you don’t leave any gaps as these cause damp problems,
in a shower for example.
The technique is very simple, use a rubber
faced trowel to spread the grout and a cotton cloth to clean the excess grout
from the tiles afterwards.
There are many different types of grouts;
you’ll have to choose the right one depending on the surface and chosen tile.
Now that you have your tiles laid down, you
only need to take care of them, usually manufacturers provide information on
taking care of their tiles and only minimal effort is required. Most household
cleaning products will do the job well, if some particular stain is stubborn,
there are many commercial stain removers, just make sure you use the right
product for the right tile.
You are now closer to discovering how
satisfying it can be handling a tile installation yourself; just follow these 5
steps to get the best result.
There are also numerous video on youtube that
can show you how to properly install tile. If your not comfortable than hire a
professional tile installer
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