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DIY TILINGBefore we get started let's take a minute look at the correct tools and there uses required to carry out a professional tiling project successfully. |
SAFETY FIRST
Safety is paramount when cutting tiles you must protect your eyes with goggles or safety glasses at all times. If you are using any type of electrical power tool on this or any other DIY project always never wear clothing that may become in-tangled in the power tool you are using.
More important keep your finger away from all power tools with rotating blades. Please always be vigilant if you have small children or elderly people in the area where power tools are being used. Never ever leave the area where the power tools are left unattended always unplug the electrical tool remember better to be safe than sorry.
Tile Cutter.
The most common type of tile cutter is the scribe it may be purchased from you local DIY outlet or hardware store. To use this tool correctly to cut tiles is to place the tile to be cut on a flat surface. Now hold a straight edge or metal ruler along the mark draw the scribe to score the tile through its glazed edge. The tile can now be broken the most common methods use is to place a pencil or matchsticks under the score line. Now apply even pressure to both sides of the tile and the tile should snap cleanly. This you will find is the most inexpensive way of cutting tiles.
Professional Tile Cutters.
This is the tool the professionals use the main advantage over the scribe, it allow you to cut a lot more tiles for a larger DIY tiling project. Again mark your tile where you require the cut now place the tile with glazed up into the tile cutter. Now run the cutting wheel several times along the tile with the tile securely held in the special configuration. Now by means of the handle press down and this will snap the tile effortlessly.
Wet Power Saw
A power saw may also be used when undertaking a large tiling project this tool can usually be hired from your local hire centre. The hire people will show you how to operate this machine safely. This machine is used when you require thick tiles to be cut or if the project requires lots of different type tile cuts. The saw operates with a diamond circular blade the blade is kept cool by water being pumped on to the blade area. The saw can also be used to make a mitered cut, the fence of the saw can also be adjusted to cut different tile widths.
Buying a Tile Cutter
You can purchase a wide range of tile cutters for local DIY store or local hardware outlet. You may choose to buy an inexpensive plastic jig type tile cutter or you may invest in a more expensive used by the professional which features include a tungsten cutting wheel with a sturdy lever action cutting method.
.Manual Tile Saw
Another tool is the tile saw it may be purchased from you local DIY outlet or hardware store. If the tile requires to be cut for some awkward area or difficult shape the tile saw will help you achieve this. Mark out the type of shape required on the tile to be cut, now using the saw cut along marked line. The tile saw will help you achieve a nice clean tile cut as the saw has a thin rod coated with an abrasive.
Tricks of the Trade
To help you cut a curve this can easily achieved by using a thin piece of card board make a template to the exact size of the tile required. Now draw around the template this will transfer the correct shape required onto the tile using tile saw (see above).
Tile Nibbler or Pliers.
Another useful inexpensive tool is the tile nibbler also known as a tile pliers it can also be purchased from you local DIY outlet or hardware store. This tool is also used for cutting and shaping. Mark out the type of shape required on the tile to be cut, now insert the tile into the jaws on the squeeze handles together to chop away the waste a small piece at a time.
Tile Sander or File
This devise is very handy to smooth and remove any rough edge from the tile. Simply run the tile back and forward along the rough edge of the tile. This tool will help you achieve a nice smooth surface.
DIY TILING THE BASICS.
To be guaranteed a successful tiling project the GOLDEN RULE is in the preparation stage, time spent on this part of the project will pay dividends to the finished outcome. That is why so many DIY tiling projects end up in disaster poor preparation. But do not disperse help is at hand the DIY Doctor will now take you now through the step by step process of tiling.
Preparation
Firstly you must check that all tiling surfaces are straight and dry and smooth. Any type of hole must be filled and made smooth. If the area has only small imperfections they can be usually filled using tile adhesive or fillers. If the area has larger imperfections the entire wall may need to be re-plastered with a coat of skimming plaster. This will provide the wall with a smooth flat surface ideal for tiling.
Getting Started
Now having satisfied yourself that all necessary preparation work is now completed it is time to start setting out the wall for tiling. If your tiling project has a few different walls to be tiled, start by measuring each wall in order to determine the best point to start. If you follow this procedure you will be guaranteed to avoid any DIY disaster.
Always remember to have full tiles running along the top of the bath or below a window sill. Now fix a wooden batten to the wall and check same is level by means of spirit level. This batten will help to support the rows of tiles as they are been fixed to the wall. When you have allowed sufficient time for the adhesive to dry only then should the batten be removed.
Now measure and mark the centre of the wall, check in tile widths for all you centre points towards all corners internal external door frames, a nicely balanced uniformed tiling arrangement. Check this arrangement and readjust the rows of ties sideways or vertically if required.
Fixing the Tiles.
Always start tiling the main areas first with whole tiles, leave all narrow gaps and edges to be tackled later. This process will allow you to fix the tiles to very quickly.
Now it is time to start tiling spread the tile adhesive to the wall by means of the tile spreader or tiling trowel, using the flat edge of the tool. The tile spreader or tiling trowel will both have two edges one notched the other one a smooth edge. Now you can start spreading the adhesive to the wall using the smooth side of the spreader or trowel. Now with the notched side of the tool drag same through the adhesive in a horizontal movement as to form ridges in the tile adhesive at a constant depth. It is important to remember while spreading the adhesive to the wall surface, only cover approximately one metre (3ft) square and start tiling. Press all tiles firmly into the adhesive to ensure it is fixed. Using plastic or metal spacers between each tile will form a true grout line between the tiles. Now spread more adhesive to the wall and continue this simple process until finished. Now remove all adhesive from the tile surface using a clean damp sponge and allow same to now set firmly.
Tiling the Gaps or Spaces.
Now you can start to measure the tiles against the gap or space to be filled. Remember always allow for a grout line when measuring the tiles required, now start cutting and fixing the tiles to the wall. (see above ) Care must be take when filling in these spaces as you may need to measure the tile required one at a time as normally these gap or spaces can very uneven.
Grouting the Tiles
You have now reached the final stage in the project grouting the tiles. Only after 24 hours after fixing any tiles may you start grouting. Using a sponge or rubber blade and apply firm pressure and even strokes work the grout into all joints. Remove all excess grout from the surface of the tiles before it dries, using a damp sponge. When the grout begins to dry you will see a powdery surface appear. Now it is time to polish the tiles using a dry cloth your DIY tiling project is now completed.
Important Note
Remember to allow time for the grout to properly harden, especially in a shower or bathroom area and before water is allowed to come in contact with the newly tiled surface. It is recommended to allow these areas approximately one week to dry before use.
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