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