Stay In The Know

A living space known as a house or home is for shelter that covers and protects people.  A house becomes a safe space for you and your family. Visit Roof & Ceiling for more. Are you building a new house or renovating an existing house? At the end of construction, the foundation for the house has been completed, however, it’s time to complete those floors with a finishing touch: tiles. Even if you’re not feeling comfortable with your existing floors, there are options available. Such as ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and flooring laminate. With our intense weather conditions, rain pour and heat waves, tiles might just be your best option.

“We sometimes experience all the seasons in one day.”
– Jamie Tiles4All Staff

Common Mistakes with Tiles

There is something about completing a task that is rewarding. Especially being able to walk on a freshly installed and clean tile floor. I love sitting outside on the patio with the family and friends on a summer’s day. At the end of the day, we don’t want you to make a mistake with your floors. So here is common mistakes made when tiling floors and how you can avoid them. We focus on the topics like the trowel size, cracked tiles, underlayment, how the tile is laid and laying floor tiles, grout, preparation, backboard, caulk and the right amount of tiles.

Trowel

There are trowels available to purchase in stores or online at Accessories. A trowel’s size is important based on the size of the tile. The larger the tile, the larger the trowel’s notches need to be. This allows for the adjusting of the tile, while laying it. 

Cracked Tiles

You don’t want to break your tiles, but it does happen. That is why purchasing a few more boxes for the project can help. Take precaution when cutting tiles to avoid waste and expenses. Mark the tile where it needs to be cut to line up correctly with the blade and use a slow pressured movement while cutting the tile. Pushing and/or holding the tile together while at the end of cutting it may prevent the tile from breaking. The harder the tile is, the slower you need to cut it. 

Underlaying

The surface you are tiling on needs to be prepared properly. The surface you are tiling on is the underlayment and is required to be an even, strong and flat surface. If your surface is not prepared correctly (flattened accordingly), it can cause the tiles to crack in those uneven spots. Apply a 1.5 – 2cm cement board underlayment before you begin tiling. If there is old vinyl flooring, a cement board is not required and will support the tiles. 

Laying Tiles

When laying tiles, depending on the pattern, it requires planning. For example, if you are tiling a square pattern, you can measure for a 45-degree angle seen in the above image. You can start by centering the tile (B.) to the room or start by the corner of the room. Have the right equipment and accessories when laying a tiled floor. 

Grout

Having the wrong grout can affect the final look of the tiling project. Make sure to apply clean and even grout lines. Mix the grout evenly and consistently, into a smooth paste. Don’t mix with a drill or paddle because this can add air into the mix and weaken the strength of the grout. Let the grout rest for 10 minutes. It may result in weakening the grout strength if not followed.

Ceramic tiles are very strong with weather conditions, that includes weather conditions, temperatures and exposure to sun. Ceramic tiles can expand and contract, but by a thicker grouting, such as a 3mm or 5mm spacer, this won’t be an issue for the future. Grout products are available in store or click here to find on accessories.

Preparation

The surface where it is to be tiled, needs to be prepared accordingly. To clean the surface, remove the grease and dirt. If the area has not been cleaned correctly, it can affect the adhesive, as an example. This is most common in tiling the bathrooms and kitchen walls. There are many surface cleaning techniques, such as, as simple as a damp cloth/sponge with soap or sugar water. 

Backboard

A backboard is for the purpose of preventing water damage. This is best when tiling an area that is exposed to water, such as a bathroom. An example of a backboard is a cement board. 

Caulking

When tiling in areas that are exposed to water, such as the bathroom or around the bath. Caulking is required as a final step for the joints. This prevents a build up of mold and keeps the joints clean. Caulk a straight line down the corners. There are options of latex and silicone. Latex caulk is easier to clean but may not last as long, while silicone caulk is more difficult to clean but lasts longer. 

Buying Extra Tiles

Always prepare for more. Buying more tiles is to a customer’s benefit. If there has not been enough tiles bought, this might be regarded as a failure to plan ahead. Double check the measurements of the surface area, such as the length and width. The sales representatives are prepared to help in store regarding measurements and how many boxes are required. The extra boxes will help the tiler with extra cover cuts, and breakages.