How To Prevent Tiling Problems In Your Home

Tiles are a very adaptable, cost-effective, and practical alternative to give the walls and floors of your house a fresh, fashionable new appearance. To ensure that you get the best out of your tiles, you must use high-quality tile adhesives and have a fair understanding of the frequent tiling errors individuals make.

We will walk you through the 6 tiling mistakes you must avoid while upgrading your house, to get a professional-looking finish, everytime.

1. Leaving the Surface Unprepared

Whether you're tiling walls or floors, neglecting to prepare the surface properly before you begin tiling is one of the most frequent mistakes you can make.

Always make sure that the surfaces are evenly leveled and clean. This will include spending time filling up any cracks or dents, removing any bumps that are more than 4-5mm in diameter, removing any grease, oil, or other liquids from the surface, and sweeping or vacuuming up dust and debris. Using a cement-based tile adhesive on your prepared surface would result in a leveled finish.

2. Choosing Incorrect-Sized Tiles and Not Ordering Enough

Selecting the incorrect-sized tile for a given area is a typical error that may have a significant influence on the overall appearance of a place. While you may prefer a certain style or design, it is important to be practical when deciding on a size.

Measure your area and calculate the number of square feet you need to cover, and also consider extra tiles due to breakages, cuts, or any other mishaps that might happen. This way, you can make sure that you do not run out of tiles. Ordering 10% extra is the unwritten rule. Consult your tile supplier or a tiler for guidance if you're unsure about which tile will work best for the space you're working with.

3. Using Incorrect Tile Adhesives

It is important to use the correct type of tile adhesives when installing tiles. Depending on the area and the type of tiles you are using, you could select from a wide range of tile adhesives to meet your needs. Water-resistant, heat resistant, flexible, fast setting, thin bed, and dry set are some of the tile adhesives you could select from. Always seek professional advice if you are unsure which tile adhesive to use.

4. Technique of Applying Tile Adhesives

Putting tile adhesives in dots and dabs or at the center or corners of the tiles and then pressing the tile against the wall or floor will almost certainly result in your tiles coming loose over time and leaving you with a hollow and insecure finish.

The spaces behind the tile might allow moisture to seep in, causing havoc on the surface behind it and eventually leading to more defects and repair work. While it may seem that using less tile adhesive would save you time and money in the short term, it will most certainly cost you more in the long run.

5. Not Planning the Layout and Not Using Battens and Markers

Before you apply cement-based tile adhesive or otherwise, lay out your designs to make sure you are happy with how they will look, then apply the tile adhesives. You can also play around with the design or pattern before they are permanently glued to the surface. Always use battens, position markers and joint spacers to ensure consistency of space and placement.

6. Grouting Too Quickly

Grouting too quickly will not allow enough time for the tile adhesives to harden and will result in uneven spaces and levels between tiles. Also, this would not allow the tiles to seal properly. It is equally important that you allow 3 hours for the grout to set in before cleaning the tiles.

Avoiding the above mistakes will ensure that you have a hassle-free, professional tiling experience.