Tiler - Tools Needed For Tiling

Tiling Advice Tips - Tools Needed For Tiling Jobs

As every professional knows and every homeowner do-it-yourselfer soon finds out, the right tool can make any job easier and faster; tiling is no exception.

Each of the steps for tiling has its own set of tools to choose from ranging from cheap to expensive. So how do you know which tool is right for you? If you are doing one small tile job and really don't expect to use the tools again one option is to hire the tool for a day.

Now that you've decided to tile a project you need to lay out your project area. A chalk Line is a must for tiling floors to set a center line.

An expert tip is to draw over the chalk line with pencil every 30 centimeters or so in case the chalk fades. When working on a wall a Plumb Bob is the traditional way to find a straight line but Bubble Levels or the more accurate Laser Levels are another alternative.

Now that you have your guide line set, decide the grout spacing between your tiles so that you can do a dry layout of the tiles. Tile Spacers are little plastic Ts starting at 2mm increasing up to 8mm in bags of 100 or 250. Depending on the size of your tile, you will need two to three tile spacers per side. Starting at your center line, do a dry layout of tiles and tile spacers and mark tiles near obstacles for cutting. You may find it easier to label tiles near barriers with letters and keep track of dimensions for each labeled tile on a sheet of paper. Never forget the adage: Measure twice, cut once.

In order to cut tile, you can use a simple metal ruler and Carbide Tip Scribe which is the cheapest investment and is appropriate for a small job. If you have a lot of straight cuts to make you may want to try a Tile Cutter which has a scribe wheel and breaking arm; with only a little practice you can do fast accurate cuts. Be sure that the Tile Cutter is large enough to accommodate the largest tile you are using and be aware that some tiles like porcelain are exceptionally hard and more prone to breakage.

The next step up in cutting implements is the Motorized Wet Saw. Since this saw actually cuts through the tile, there is less breakage with this method but be sure to keep the water reservoir up to the fill line. To trim tile for irregular obstacles it is helpful to have Tile Nippers or a Tile Hand Saw. If you are planning on drilling holes into tile that you have laid, use either a Masonry Bit at a slow speed or a Tile Drill Bit

To lay the mortar, you need a Trowel and a Notched Spreader. Check to see if the tile you buy has a minimum notch recommendation before purchasing a notched spreader. After you have run the course of tiles and allowed them to set, it is time for grout. To spread the grout, a rubber Float or Grout Spreader will make it easy to press the grout into the joints without damaging the tiles.

Once you have spread the grout you will need a large sponge to remove extra grout and a soft cloth or towel to buff off the residue.