Tiling is a chore that many individuals are afraid of. Particularly for those who’re not used to doing issues your self. However it doesn’t must be a dreaded chore. If you wish to tile your toilet accurately, AG Tiling Northampton‘s learners’ information to tiling a toilet will train you all it’s essential know.
Contemplate security earlier than you start
Tiling is a fairly secure exercise, however like with any DIY venture, it’s clever to make use of warning. For those who’re going to be chipping away at present tiles or slicing new ones, be certain you’re carrying the fitting eye safety. Equally, for those who’ll be working with instruments like trowels, it’s best to placed on appropriate protecting gloves. You may additionally use a face masks.
Understanding the location of any scorching water pipes in your toilet partitions may additionally be helpful. Any electrical connections are the identical. For those who’re undecided the place the pipes are, a pipe locator might help you uncover them rapidly.
Earlier than you start working, you could need to flip off the water and energy to your toilet.
What tiling instruments do I require?
Nothing is extra irritating than attempting to finish a job with out the mandatory instruments. So, earlier than you start tiling your toilet, be sure to have the next instruments readily available.
Measurement tape
Essentially the most vital facet in tiling a toilet is getting the measurements proper. For those who get your measurements incorrect, you’re in for a nightmare. Make sure you select a high-quality tape measure (with no obscured markings).
Pencil
The method of tiling your toilet additionally consists of marking up your tiles. In any case, for those who can’t see the place you’re meant to be slicing, you’ll wind up with a bunch of crookedly reduce tiles and off-centre pipe and cable holes. A chinagraph pencil is the best selection for marking up tiles as a result of it’s designed for arduous, shiny surfaces like tiles.
cutter for tiles
Issues begin to grow to be severe at this level. We strongly advise investing in a tile cutter for those who plan on tiling your personal toilet. We’ve discovered that railed tile cutters work finest (they’re much like the guillotines you may bear in mind from faculty for slicing paper and cardboard).
A scribe wheel and a breaking arm are widespread options of tile cutters. Rail cutters are available a wide selection of sizes. For those who’re tiling your toilet with very arduous tiles, corresponding to quartz tiles, you’ll most likely want to make use of a moist wheel cutter as an alternative, since common tile cutters gained’t reduce it.
Tile cutter
Tile nippers aren’t essential for tiling your toilet, however they may assist you probably have a notably powerful or small tile reduce to make. You’ll recognize having a tile nipper readily available for those who’re attempting to form a tile to suit round a pipe, a piece of sanitary ware, or a mild becoming, for instance.
Tile separators
You don’t need to spend hours measuring and slicing tiles simply to find that the grouting spacing is inaccurate. Tile spacers will assist you in avoiding this DIY catastrophe. Tile spacers, because the title implies, assist you to evenly distance tiles whereas putting in them. Tile spacers are available a number of sizes that can assist you get the grouting end you need.
Bucket
You’ll want to combine the glue and grout collectively when tiling your toilet. Whereas an outdated washing up basin can suffice, you’ll rapidly uncover that issues grow to be moderately soiled. As an alternative, you can purchase in a strong bucket. The scale of the bucket you want will depend on how a lot grout you’ll be mixing, however most individuals use 10 or 25 litre buckets.
paddle for mixing
Can’t you simply use an outdated stick to combine your grout? You actually can, however if you wish to make your life a little easier (and who doesn’t?! ), a mixing paddle is a superb merchandise to have readily available.
Trowel with notches
You’ll want a notched trowel to effectively apply the adhesive in your substrate (the part of the wall the place the tiles actually cling). That is a must-have piece of apparatus. Metal notched trowels are normally constructed with notches reduce onto the vanguard. You may get completely different sized trowels with completely different formed notches (for those who’re tiling a wall, get a trowel with curved notches). (For those who’re tiling or laying a ground, get a trowel with sq. notches.)
Floating grout
A grout float will help you in urgent grout into the areas between your newly put in tiles. Sometimes, they’ve a flat rubber base with a deal with on prime. Whereas pushing the grout into the gaps, the rubber base ensures that the tiles are usually not broken.
diploma of spirit
Relating to arranging your tile association, a spirit degree will come in useful. Spirit ranges are available a number of sizes and shapes, together with laser variations.
sponge
A little funding, however one which pays off. Having a new sponge readily available will assist you in ending your tiling venture and eradicating any additional grout which will have gotten onto your tiles’ floor. A dual-purpose sponge is good because the dense cell construction can be robust sufficient to take away any tenacious grout.
Now that you simply’ve executed your security precautions and have all of those provides, it’s time to have a look at the procedures concerned in tiling your toilet.
Rest room tile set up
Chances are you’ll now start tiling your toilet. We’ve damaged down your complete process into easy steps under.
Make a technique.
We’ve all heard the expression “finest laid plans,” however in terms of tiling your toilet, it’s best to positively have a plan!
Decide the partitions you’d need to tile. Contemplate the dimensions of the tiles you need. Would you like the partitions of your toilet to be fully tiled or merely partially tiled? All of those standards will influence the kind and amount of tiles you require. These concerns can even have an effect on the dimensions of the duty.
Earlier than occurring to the subsequent section, be sure to’ve thought of all of those components.
Select your tiles and make a sample.
After you’ve devised a technique, it’s time to decide on your tiles and select the style wherein they’ll be laid out.
It’s vital to have the right amount of tiles to cowl your partitions whereas selecting your tiles. You calculate what number of you’ll want by measuring the realm in sq. metres that needs to be lined. Measure the size and breadth of the wall to take action. Then add these two numbers collectively. Take the whole space and divide it by the dimensions of the tiles you’ve chosen. This final determine offers you an estimate of what number of tiles you’ll want.
In case your calculations come to a decimal level when measuring for tiles, at all times spherical as much as the subsequent complete quantity. Bear in mind so as to add round 15% to account for cuts and waste.
Many tiles are offered in containers with particular measurement data labelled on them.
Tile varieties
There are numerous various kinds of tiles available on the market, and deciding which one is good for you is normally a matter of non-public selection. Sure kinds of tiles, however, could also be higher suited to particular makes use of or conditions.
Enable me to clarify. Within the desk under, we’ve included the assorted kinds of tiles together with their widespread functions (and constraints).
- Solely use terracotta in dry environments (until glazed). Rest room tiles made from ceramic or porcelain (when glazed)
- Slate counter tops, flooring, and partitions
- Glass as a mosaic accent wall
- Loos with pure stone (when that includes a waterproof layer)
- Limestone is used for the flooring.
- Granite Ground Tiles
- Travertine flooring and partitions
As you possibly can see, sure tile varieties are extra suited to bogs than others. Contemplate this whereas making your buy.
Patterns on tiles
There are a number of prospects in terms of the design of your tiled wall. It’s all a matter of non-public style. You could have the choice of sticking to a easy linear grid structure or changing into extra imaginative.
A few of the hottest tile patterns in recent times embody:
- Diamond.
- Linear.
- Brick ties
- Herringbone
- 34 Brick Bond
- Hexagon.
- Linear Combination
- Arabesque
It’s vital that you simply buy tiles from the identical batch. This may assure that all of them have the identical look. Due to the manufacturing course of for tiles, shopping for units with varied batch numbers will increase the probabilities of having a tiled wall that doesn’t appear “fairly proper.”
Put together the wall.
Now that you simply’ve bought and ready your tiles, it’s time to arrange the partitions.
Begin by ensuring the wall is clear, dry, and degree. If it was beforehand tiled, put aside a few hours to revive it to its former glory. You don’t need to be laying tiles on prime of leftover grout or different particles.
Replenish any gaps within the plaster that you simply uncover. Keep in mind that plaster may take months to dry (relying on the form of plaster you select), so hold that in thoughts when enterprise any wall repairs.
After you’ve prepped your wall, it’s time to contemplate about adhesives and grout…
Grout & Adhesive
It’s vital to differentiate between adhesives and grout. The phrases are generally used interchangeably, though they’re truly fairly completely different.
Adhesive
You’ll want adhesive to actually glue your tiles to the wall. Distinct sorts of adhesive are categorised into completely different ‘courses.’ You’ll want a class D 2 T E glue to tile a energy bathe or toilet wall (don’t fear if this sounds arduous). Most adhesives offered at DIY shops will specify the place they can be utilized on the field.
A ready-mixed glue will suffice within the standard house toilet. Mapei, BAL, Dulux, and a variety of different manufacturers can be found.
To tile your toilet successfully, you’ll want each adhesive and grout. Grout ought to by no means be used to stick tiles to a wall (until you need them to fall off at a later date).
Grout
Grout is used to fill within the areas between tiles after they’ve been put in on the wall. Grout serves to “seal” the tiles and hold water out of the wall behind them.
Grout, like adhesives, is available in a number of grades. Cementitious grouts are manufactured from Portland cement; epoxy grouts are constructed from epoxy resins; and furan grouts are shaped from a furan resin and a filler powder with an acid catalyst.
The kind of grout you want will usually be decided by the kind of tile you’re utilizing. For those who’re utilizing pure stone tiles, for instance, you could want to guard them to keep away from stains.
Epoxy grout is likely one of the most frequently used grouts in damp areas like bogs and showers. Epoxy grout, however, hardens sooner than common grouts, making it difficult to use for inexperienced DIYers.
arranging your tiles
You’ll need to lay out your tiles, contemplating the place the attention can be drawn, the centre line, and what number of cuts you’ll must make. Be sure you give your self loads of time and double-check all the pieces.
Tile spacers might help you lay your tiles out on the ground extra simply. Mark the factors of every tile along with your measuring tape as soon as it’s been positioned down. Then, in your wall, paste these measurements. Begin within the centre of the wall and work your manner outwards. Use your spirit degree whereas marking the wall along with your tape measure and pencil to confirm that the entire markings are degree.
By the conclusion of this, it’s best to have your whole tiles positioned on the toilet wall.
Making your tile cuts
After you’ve marked up your wall, you’ll most likely must trim down the tiles on the margins. Calculate the tile’s dimensions along with your tape measure (measure in opposition to the sting of the wall and the related wall marking).
After that, apply that measurement to your tile. Utilizing your chinagraph pencil, mark the place the place the tile will have to be reduce. This offers you a goal to shoot at along with your tile cutter.
After that, the tile cutter will seem. Earlier than persevering with, be sure to’re carrying security gloves and goggles. As a result of slicing tiles may lead to sharp flying shards, be certain no associates or relations are close by.
It’s time to place the tiles to the wall once you’ve reduce the entire essential tiles.
Laying down your tiles
Right here’s when your glue is useful. Begin small whereas utilizing it. Don’t go a couple of metre sq. at a time. This offers you extra time to concentrate on arranging your tile accurately. For those who use an excessive amount of glue, you threat it drying out earlier than you possibly can put your tiles down.
Your notched trowel must be used to distribute the adhesive. Utilizing the trowel, apply the glue in 45-degree angle strokes. This may assist within the uniform software of glue.
It’s as simple as aligning the tiles with the fitting wall marks and pushing them into the glue. Do that one at a time, being positive to make use of tile spacers between each (it will assist you obtain good even spacing between every tile). Make certain the spacers are correctly seated in order that they don’t protrude over the tile’s floor. You don’t need the spacers to poke out and be unattractive since you’ll be grouting over them.
It’s time to loosen up once you’ve executed making use of glue and putting in your whole tiles.
As a result of adhesive takes round 24 hours to treatment fully, now could be the time to conclude your job for the day, relax, and loosen up. You’ve earned it for those who’ve made it this far!
Grouting
It’s time to grout as soon as (at the very least) 24 hours have handed.
Start by getting your grout prepared. Fill your bucket midway with water, then step by step add the grout, mixing till it reaches a thick consistency. On the again of most grout packets, you’ll discover instructions describing what number of elements water to what number of elements grout so as to add to the combination.
You may be asking how a lot grout you’ll want at this stage. The scale and thickness of the tile you select will usually affect how a lot grout you’ll want.
There’s a system that may assist you along with your calculations:
- Add the tile’s width and size collectively.
- Multiply the worth by the width of the tile you’ve chosen.
- Multiply that quantity by the tile’s depth.
- Then double that quantity by 1.8 to get the conventional kg/metre protection you could anticipate.
- Multiply the width of the tile by the size of the tile, then divide this quantity by the determine from quantity 4 above.
The resultant determine offers you an estimate of how a lot grout you’ll must grout your toilet wall correctly. Don’t fear if this seems to be tough. Many grout packs will state how a lot wall space they will cowl.
Anyway, wait 5 minutes after you’ve combined your grout and attained a thick consistency. This may enable oxygen bubbles to flee and the grout to settle.
The following step is to fill within the gaps between your tiles with grout. Utilizing your grout float, do that. Maintain it at a 45-degree angle and push the grout into the gaps between the tiles with it. Keep in mind that the grout serves to seal your toilet wall, so be sure to have even protecting.
Cease after making use of roughly 2-3 metres of grout and clear up any extra which will have gotten onto your tiles. Do that along with your sponge. Cleansing as you go will hold the additional grout from drying up and making it harder to take away afterwards.
Enable an hour for the grout to dry when you’ve executed making use of it to the wall. While you’re positive it’s dry, use a comfortable dry fabric to present your complete wall a delicate shine.
That’s all there may be to it! Beginner’s strategy to tiling a toilet from AG Tiling Northampton.
