Some people like the idea of doing their own DIY work in their home. After all it can be expensive to hire someone to take care of these jobs, and oftentimes it can be difficult to find tradespeople who have availability. When it comes to jobs such as painting, for example, it may not be so difficult to do the job yourself. But what about tiling? Is this something that a beginner can do?
Is Tiling a Difficult Job?
Before you consider tiling your own bathroom, it is worth remembering that professional tile setters will usually learn on the job and will take between two and four years to qualify. A tile setter apprenticeship generally includes both technical training and on-the-job experience.
Tiling is not exceptionally difficult, but it can be tricky to tile some rooms due to the amount of cutting that is required. For a standard bathroom job, a novice can achieve a satisfactory result, provided they take their time and follow the basics of tiling. The difficulty will come in tiling around objects such as toilets, hand basins, and radiators, for example. However, if you are willing to give it a go, we suggest making sure you have all the right equipment before you begin the project.
Tips to Make Tiling Easier
Preparation is key when it comes to tiling. It is important to know how many tiles you need before you buy. There is no point in winging it because it is important that all the tiles you buy come from the same batch to avoid any shading issues. You must buy enough tiles to complete the job, or you could end up with some tiles looking different from the rest.
Calculate the amount you need by carefully measuring the walls. You need to measure the length and width of one wall in feet and multiply the two together to get the square footage. Do the same for each wall to be tiled and add them all together. This will give you the total square footage for the entire room. You should add an extra 10 percent as this will allow for wastage from any damaged or cut tiles.
Knowing the square footage will allow you to buy the correct number of tiles. You can also give the measurements to the store advisor, and they will calculate the correct amount for you.
Make sure you have the equipment you need before you begin. You will need a way to cut the tiles to fit into the space you have. For a small job, a manual tile cutter might be sufficient, but the experts at Devour Tools (devourtools.com) recommend a power saw fitted with tile blades for a quicker and cleaner cut.
Note that tiles will look much better when they are adhered to a smooth surface. You should consider installing waterproof backer board to your walls before you begin tiling. This can be fixed to the walls with adhesive and screws. You will then have a smooth surface on which to place your tiles, making the job much easier.
It is best to start tiling in the middle of the wall and work out to each side as this will give a better finish at the sides of each wall. Be sure to place spacers between each tile to give an even layout. The tiles should be left for 24 hours to set before any grout is applied. Apply a liberal amount of grout to ensure that all the gaps are filled. The excess grout can be cleaned away once it has dried and set in between the tiles. Tile sealant will prevent the grouting from staining.
