www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

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

What type of tiles will you be using?

Ceramic or natural?

Will any holes need drilling?

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

Thanks guys, much appreciated - think I'll be using ceramic / porcelain tiles - the natural ones sound pretty expensive, especially for a novice cos I'm bound to break a few

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

check out tradetiler.co mate u will be able to see the tools u will need and also the prices.

preperation is the key mate..i.e. substrates plat,layout of tiles try not 2 have rakes/slivvers in ur corners...and just take ur time.
best of and has already been said ask away for any advice

If you go into a Topps Tiles shop they usually have all the tools on display behind the counter