Evening all,
As you can see from my log on, I'm a plasterer by trade and so able to do any prep work prior to tiling.
I want to update my bathroom (very small, 6' x 4') and thought I'd have a go tiling it myself
Can anyone just give me a quick list of 'must have' tools to do the job to a resonable standard
I've never ever tiled anything before and apppreciate I may well come across a few issues but I'm trying to do things on a budget, hence my post here
Should it prove too much, can you advise how long it might take a professional tiler to complete ?
Many thx
Have a go myself ??
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Pristineplastering
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You'll need a tile cutter, which one depends on what tiles you are using.
If you are using smooth ceramic or porcelain you need a tile cutter
But if you are using natural stone tiles you need a diamond wheel cutter-
like this
A tile file is also handy for removing any sharp bits-
tile file
You will also need a notched trowel, although you probably already have one of those!
Tile spacers will also be required.
If you need to drill any of the tiles, this might help- tile drilling
If there is anything you are not sure about just ask
If you are using smooth ceramic or porcelain you need a tile cutter
But if you are using natural stone tiles you need a diamond wheel cutter-
like this
A tile file is also handy for removing any sharp bits-
tile file
You will also need a notched trowel, although you probably already have one of those!
Tile spacers will also be required.
If you need to drill any of the tiles, this might help- tile drilling
If there is anything you are not sure about just ask
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Pristineplastering
- Senior Member
- Posts: 333
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:57 pm
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DIY_Johnny
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I assume you also need a group float, grout sponge also. Also for the silicone, these are superb. Bad silicone looks awful. Bit pricey though
Being a plaster, I think you no problem at all as you will certainly will have a lot more skill than a general DIY novice like me.
I tiled my kitchen and bathroom recently and some things I learnt were (the pros have probably forgotten what its like to be a novice
)
1. It best to get a electric tile cutter if you need it, they are cheap anyway and will do a better job. I spent a lot of wasted time, fannying about on tile cutting with jigsaw tile blades, using tile nips etc. Waste of time and broke more tiles than the cost of a cheap electric cutter. You will regret it afterwards. I only bought it at the end of the job when I just could cut a corner out of a floor tile no matter what I tried
You also can cut squares in the tiles if need be (e.g. kitchen socket), miter external corners etc
2. Avoid the really cheap rail type cutters, I bought one on screwfix, was £12 or something, total sh#t, couldn't cut a straight line for anything.
3. Metal trims look great but costly
4. Don't assume tiles are all the same size. Mine weren't!
5. Don't assume the walls are straight or parallel but you're the plaster so you will know a far better than me on how to check/fix! One of my walls appeared flat but bowed in like a banana, so I started tiling at the corner and ended up with an increasing grout line. Now I wonder who did that plastering 
6. I never had a problem drilling into tiles with a masonry drill on slow speed and taking it softly but maybe I was just lucky!
7. I avoided the rapiset adhesive cos I work sloooow.
8. Blockwork pattern looks great in my opinion but plan it out as you can end up with slivers at the end. Again i could have done one wall better.
9. Making holes for pipes, rather than cutting a piece out looks good but depends how anal you are.
10. Clean off any excess silicone before it dries, I had a nightmare of a time getting it off the metal shower edges
Being a plaster, I think you no problem at all as you will certainly will have a lot more skill than a general DIY novice like me.
I tiled my kitchen and bathroom recently and some things I learnt were (the pros have probably forgotten what its like to be a novice
)1. It best to get a electric tile cutter if you need it, they are cheap anyway and will do a better job. I spent a lot of wasted time, fannying about on tile cutting with jigsaw tile blades, using tile nips etc. Waste of time and broke more tiles than the cost of a cheap electric cutter. You will regret it afterwards. I only bought it at the end of the job when I just could cut a corner out of a floor tile no matter what I tried
You also can cut squares in the tiles if need be (e.g. kitchen socket), miter external corners etc
2. Avoid the really cheap rail type cutters, I bought one on screwfix, was £12 or something, total sh#t, couldn't cut a straight line for anything.
3. Metal trims look great but costly
4. Don't assume tiles are all the same size. Mine weren't!
5. Don't assume the walls are straight or parallel but you're the plaster so you will know a far better than me on how to check/fix!
One of my walls appeared flat but bowed in like a banana, so I started tiling at the corner and ended up with an increasing grout line. Now I wonder who did that plastering 6. I never had a problem drilling into tiles with a masonry drill on slow speed and taking it softly but maybe I was just lucky!
7. I avoided the rapiset adhesive cos I work sloooow.
8. Blockwork pattern looks great in my opinion but plan it out as you can end up with slivers at the end. Again i could have done one wall better.
9. Making holes for pipes, rather than cutting a piece out looks good but depends how anal you are.
10. Clean off any excess silicone before it dries, I had a nightmare of a time getting it off the metal shower edges
