Laying ceramic
tiles is simple if you have the right guidance. If laying ceramic tiles is
totally new to you, '5 Steps 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.
If
laying ceramic tiles is totally new to you, "5 Steps 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
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 /colour 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 ceramic 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 ceramic tiles. Prices can vary a lot between different
tiles, so some end up rather expensive
for only a few square metres. 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 ceramic 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 ceramic 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 ceramic 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
ceramic 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
manufacturers 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 spirit 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 ceramic 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. tiling, installing tile, laying ceramic tile, ceramic tile installation, bathroom ceramic tile installation
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