For any amateur decorator laying tiles is a purely frightening task, from own experience I can whole heartedly agree with this. I recently had some pro assistance when I finished a recent tiling project, so I thought I would share them with the world and hopefully ease some of the hardships associated with tiling tasks.

Planning is the Key
If you are going to make you life simpler from the start of the project, make sure the wall you are going tile on is level, dry and free from any glue, lumps of plaster or wallpaper. This also includes removing any dust or dirt from the wall. If you want to get the task completed a lot faster and you are looking for the best visual finish possible take the time to do this.

The Correct Tools for the Task
Like many chores Planning is the key, try to ensure that for each piece of the tiling you have the right tools, this will assist a lot. Before you commence the tiling try to ensure you have the following equipment: Pencil, damp sponge, grouting pad, tile sandpaper and a tile cutter or saw. The two most essential tools on that list are the damp sponge (see completing the task later in the article) and most importantly an electrical tile cutter. do not scared off by the price tag, £20 invested in one of these items will save you hours when it comes to trimming ceramic tiles for complicated places.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race
If there a key component with tiling as with all decorating, Don't rush. Tiling with wall tiles is no exclusion to the rule, I shared my time out on my last bathroom design over a week to ensure I was always motivated and never had to charge to complete the task, it helps to keep the job uniform and the finish looked top notch.

Don't Use Too Much Adhesive
Don't fall into the trap of trying to use mass quantities of tile adhesive, the end result on your ceramic tiles will be very lumpy and not flat if you use too much adhesive. A little adhesive on the ceramic tiles goes a long way. Plus it saves you buying lots of tubs of adhesive.
Grouting – Everyone's Least Popular Part
The hardest job of laying ceramic tiles is completing the grouting. It is one of those chores that take a life-time to complete. Unfortunately I have no hints to drastically speed up this thankless task, I do have a little advice to spare you a little time and help stop the need to go over the grouting multiple times. The key is in the moist sponge, to remove excess grout from the tiles with the sponge. This will serve to give you a finish that you can be pretty pleased with, but I cant state that this tip still wont leave you with pure hatred for this piece of a tiling.

Really brief guide I know but I believe this is all decent information for the most vile of home improvement chores. Hopefully there are more individuals out there that love tiling more than me. Remember that if all else fails, get the professional people in.


H R Johnson Tiles are a good place to go to find out tips on tile projects and they have a large choice of ideas and bathroom tiles.


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