DIY Tiling Tips

There is no doubt about the fact that tile flooring is certainly one of the most beautiful of all flooring options. Many do-it-yourself home renovators shy away from the thought of setting their own tile flooring; however, because it seems intimidating. After all, laying tile just isn’t quite the same as laying laminate, is it?

Actually, setting a tile floor doesn’t have to be that difficult as long as you plan and prepare ahead of time. The most common mistakes many first time DIY tile layers run into is failure to prepare and plan.

First, it is important to ensure that you keep all of your materials at room temperature for at least one full day before you plant to begin your installation. If you fail to do this, you will run into problems.

Resist the temptation to just jump right it. This isn’t a job you should try to ‘wing.’ Take the time to lay out your tiles without any type of adhesive first. This gives you the opportunity to experiment with spacing and patterns. Once you apply the adhesive, that’s pretty much it and if you’ve made a mistake, well, it’s set in stone.

Never mix more adhesive than you can use within about a thirty minute period. This is because the adhesive mix tends to dry out and once it has dried you won’t be able to work with it. So, save yourself the time and money and work with only small batches at a time.

Remember the old adage, measure twice and cut once? Nothing could be truer than when cutting tile. Cutting more than once will increase the chances of achieving an irregular breakage pattern instead of a crisp line.

When it comes time to place your tiles onto the sub-floor you will generally find that it is easier if you will give each tile a slight twist. This will help it to obtain a better level of adhesion.

If you’re working in a bathroom around a bathtub, always remember to leave a little bit of area for expansion between the tile and tub. Ideally, you should leave about ¼”. You can come back later on and follow up with some flexible caulking product.

Don’t forget to give your tile at least 24 hours to set before you attempt to apply the grout. Be patient!

If the joints in your tile are wider than 1/16” remember to use a sanded group to add strength and reduce the risk of cracking. A non-sanded grout can be used for tile jobs with smaller joints.

 
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