DIY culture is huge these days, with the millions of tutorials available on YouTube and bloggers keen to share their knowledge it can sometimes feel that no project is too big to handle at home. It can be difficult sometimes to know when to take on a tiling job yourself and when to call in the professionals, so we’ve created a handy scale so you can tell whether you’re up to the task for your latest home improvement project.
Simple:
If a tile or two needs fixing or replacing, it can quite a simple fix if you have spares to hand. If a tile is cracked but not in danger of moving or causing a hazard, the crack can be painted for an easy fix. Mix paint with tile filler and apply with a cotton bud, wiping away any excess with a sponge. Removing and replacing a tile is straightforward, but you will need the right tools for the job.
Tools needed: hammer, towel, chisel, putty knife, notched trowel, sponge
Materials needed: tile, grout, adhesive
Quite Easy:
Installing a simple backsplash behind an oven or sink is fairly easy. Chances are you won’t need to cut any tiles and the counter top will have a straight edge to work up from.
Tools needed: tape measure, spirit level, notched trowel, spreader, tile spacers, rubber grout float, masking tape, sponge
Materials needed: tiles, grout, adhesive, flexible caulk
Intermediate:
Tiling around a bath or shower can vary in difficulty depending on the shape, location and size of the area being tiled. The method is different to that of tiling the rest of the bathroom and special care is needed to ensure that water can’t get behind the tiles or under the fixtures. The wall needs to be prepared with a cement backer board, a water and mould resistant barrier, which is screwed into the stud frame with holes cut out for the taps, showerheads and fixtures.
Tools needed: tape measure, spirit level, notched trowel, spreader, tile spacers, rubber grout float, masking tape, sponge, tile cutter or tile saw, carpenter’s square, hammer, rubber gloves, safety goggles
Materials needed: tiles, grout, adhesive, flexible caulk, grout sealer
Challenging:
Laying a tile floor can be quite a demanding job. The subfloor needs to be perfectly flat before laying out the tiles, which will need to be cut to fit around skirting boards, corners, toilets and sinks etc. If the flooring is being laid over underfloor heating you’ll need to ensure you’re using the right type of levelling compound or overlay, grouting and tile.
Tools needed: tape measure, spirit level, notched trowel, spreader, tile spacers, rubber grout float, masking tape, sponge, tile cutter or tile saw, carpenter’s square, hammer, rubber gloves, safety goggles, knee pads
Materials needed: tiles, grout, adhesive, flexible caulk, grout sealer
Whether you want to DIY or hire – we have everything you need at Tiles Away. We stock a wide range of adhesives, grouts and tools (as well as tiles of course) at our showroom in Norwich. If you’d prefer to leave the job to the professionals, our sister company Norwich Tiling Company are a top-rated team who can take on jobs big or small.
