Tiling: How to Prepare

Copyright (c) 2008 Able Skills

The key to a great looking tiling project is to ensure that all the tiles lay completely flat without any edges raising up above others. On a wall, uneven tiling will result in an untidy appearance and on a floor it could pose a risk to people who could trip on the edges. Uneven floor tiles can also cause pools or puddles of water that can also pose a risk as they can be be very slippery. Therefore it is importance that you make the correct preperations before starting to lay your tiles.

Choosing the Tiles for the Job

First, you need to choose the tiles you will use for the job. This step may take longer than the actual tiling, as there are so many types and styles of tiles to choose from. You can narrow your choices down to the types that are suitable for your purpose. Then, you just have to find the ones that best suit the décor of your room.

Gathering the Tools

The next step is to gather the proper tools, such as a tiling trowel, grouter, tile cutter and chipping hammer. Dont forget you will need both tile adhesive and grout.

Preparing the Surface

Now, you are ready to prepare the surface for tiling. For the best result move all of the existing tiles. The best way to accomplish this is to attack them with the chipping hammer. Always remember that tiles can shatter so you should wear the appropriate eye protections.

The old surface may be uneven with remnants of adhesive and grout so these will need to be smoothed down. If you're unlucky, the tiles may also have taken away part of the underlying surface with them. In this case, the holes will need filling as well.

Lumps and bumps can be sanded down, but this will be a dusty job, so wear a mask. You'll also need to remove most of the dust from the surface and the room before you can re-tile. An alternative is to use a self-leveling compound, but this can only be used for floors. For walls, you can skim them with plaster, and then bond it with some kind of adhesive in order to give the tiles the best surface.

If you are preparing to tile a kitchen or bathroom countertop or vanity, make sure the underlying surface is waterproof. Otherwise, you may experience warping if the tile gets wet and the tiles will eventually lift and crack. It is also a good idea to treat the surface with some kind of waterproofing compound after the tiles are dry and set, as this will minimize the chances if damage.

If you aren't sure about tackling this job yourself, you can gain the confidence you need by taking some tiling courses. They will teach you all you need to know and as well s some advanced techniques so there is no need to hire a professional!