Tiler - Tiling Mistakes Made

Tiling Advice Tips - Tiling Mistakes Made And How To Avoid Them

Tiling Mistakes - And How To Avoid Them

Given that there is something of a consensus that tiling is one of the most popular DIY jobs, it may come as no surprise that many homeowners are convinced that they can do it with no real preparation. But there are a number of issues you should consider if you are aiming for a truly quality result. It is generally conceded that it is easy to tell apart make-do tiling solutions from quality tiling solutions. Even if tiling is an activity that requires relatively little education, the best results only come from carefully adhering to a properly considered process.

Top Ten Tiling Mistakes Made In DIY Tiling Jobs:

Not Cleaning The Area Where Your Tiling Job Will Take Place

When cleaning the surface on which you will be laying the tiling, do it thoroughly – and smoothen it.

Not Removing Foreign Bodies From The Tiling Job Area

Don't forget to remove wallpaper or other foreign coatings. If you leave any bits of wallpaper or plaster on the area of the tiling job location you will find that the tiling job may well fail as tiles will not be able to adhere properly to the tiling area.  Be sure to clear all wallpaper, plaster, dust and dirt as thoroughly as you can to ensure that your tiling job is a success from the start.

Grouting Your Tiling Too Quickly or Unevenly

Be careful to take your time when grouting your tiling job.  You want your tling to look like it was done by a professional tiler.  Rushing your grouting of the tiling work will guarantee that your tiling job will look like it has been done by an amateur and not a pro tiler.  Applying tiling grout too hastily may produce an uneven result.

Putting Tiling Adhesive In The Wrong Place On The Tiles

Don't add dots of tiling adhesive to the corners of the tiles! Some people believe that this will create a stronger bond; but the truth is that it increases the chance of the tile cracking – adhesive shrinks as it dries.

Choosing The Wrong Tiling Adhesive For Your Tiling Job

Beware of choosing the wrong tiling adhesive – particularly if you are laying tiles in what is normally a humid environment (like a bathroom or a swimming pool). Even fitted tiles are not utterly impermeable; and the water may cause crumbling or breaking if the tiling adhesive is not waterproof.

Not Using Tiling Battens To Create A Straight Tiling Job

Use wooden battens to help you to lay tiles in straight lines, avoiding positioning mistakes and therefore preventing a generally bad result.

Leaving Tiling Mistakes Too Long

Not discovering and fixing tiling mistakes on your tiling jobs quickly enough can be costly. If a misplaced tile is left for more than 24 hours it can be very difficult to fix, when tiling grout will already have hardened

Not Buying Enough Tiles

Buy more tiles than you think you will need (5-10%). That way you will be insured against cracked tiles on your tiling job.

Leaving Protruding Tiling Grout

Protruding tiling grout is a dead give-away that a tiling solution was done by an amateur and not a professional tiler; but fortunately, it is relatively easy to fix.

Not Filling The Bath Before Carrying Out A Tiling Job

Fill the bath with water if your tiling jobs involves tiling in a bathroom.  If you are fitting bathroom tiles, it will likely be a problem if the gap between the bottom row of tiles and the bath top is not sealed properly. Water may leak into it as it runs down the tiles. You should fill the bath before using the sealant.

Most Common Tiling Mistake Made In Tiling Jobs

Insufficient or erroneous planning is the biggest, if most easily avoidable, mistake. Measure properly to create a tiling job which looks as though it has been done by professional tilers