Are you going to lay a floor and do your own tiling? Then you might have a lot of questions. Where do you start, for example? And do you need a leveling system? And what benefits does this offer? To help guide you along the right tracks, we provide you with a step-by-step plan in this article to properly prepare you before you get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you start laying tiles, it’s always a good idea to stop and consider a number of issues. You might need underlayment, for example. These are panels that you lay as a foundation on the subfloor to then lay the tiles on. If you\u2019re doing your own tiling in a wet room such as a shower, it\u2019s important to use a watertight kit. This kit consists of waterproof tape to seal the edges and joints, and a coating to prevent any moisture from getting behind the tiles so you avoid the risk of any cracks or mold forming. You also definitely need to use a primer. This ensures the base layer is not porous, so the tile adhesive has enough time to bond properly, and tiles do not become loose at a later date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OK, so now it\u2019s time to lay your tiles. There are a few more points to keep in mind at this stage. Firstly, make sure you keep a close eye on the tile adhesive drying time, so that it doesn\u2019t become too dry or hard before you\u2019re ready. When you start to lay your tiles, begin by applying the tile adhesive for the first row. If you\u2019re using thin tiles, doing heavy-duty tiling, or have tiles larger than 40×40 cm, you can use the buttering-floating method for this. This means that you completely cover both the bottom of the tile and surface you\u2019re tiling with adhesive, to make sure your tiles remain in place. Use tile clips and wedges to keep the tiles in place while the adhesive dries and hardens. These clips and wedges ensure the tiles are all laid level with equal gaps between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tile leveling systems are excellent for making sure your tiling is neat and flat. They prevent unevenness and height differences between the floor or wall tiles, and ensure you end up with a good result. A tile leveling system consists of wedges, clips, and metal or plastic pliers, and anyone can use one. You simply slide the wedge into the clip opening. So if you\u2019re doing your own tiling, you don\u2019t need to worry about collapsed or displaced tiles. Another big benefit is that you can lay your tiles quickly and flawlessly, and you\u2019re guaranteed to end up with a flat, smooth result. It’s also useful if you\u2019re working with larger tiles, which you can choose to lay horizontally or vertically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When doing your own tiling, making precise measurements is a job you have to get right. It\u2019s always a good idea to start by doing a practice round where you lay the tiles without using adhesive to stick them in place. Start in the middle and see how you end up. This still gives you the option to shift tiles if you\u2019re left with less than half a tile at the edge. Don’t just think about where to start, but also how to lay the tiles to make sure you always end up at the door. You\u2019ll realize that you have to cut tiles to make them fit in the corners. So you could, for example, lay all the whole tiles first and then finish off with the customized tiles, or you could cut them to the right size and lay them first. It\u2019s best to measure any leftover areas accurately before cutting the tiles. You also need to keep in mind that you should leave a little gap by the walls to compensate for the house\u2019s natural shrinkage and expansion process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grouting is an important part of the tiling process, to prevent any moisture getting under the tiles. You can start grouting after about 24 hours once the tile adhesive is completely hard and dry. Spread the grout over the joints and leave to dry thoroughly. You also need to remember to clean the tiles with tile cleaner, to get rid of any cement residue. Finally, apply a watertight sealant layer between the floor and the wall, to prevent dirt and moisture from getting behind the seams. When you\u2019ve done all this, it’s high time to stand back and admire your work!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Do your own tiling Are you going to lay a floor and do your own tiling? Then you might have a lot of questions. Where do you start, for example? And do you need a leveling system? And what benefits does this offer? To help guide you along the right tracks, we provide you with […]<\/p>\n