Newbie with lots of tiling to do.

SilverSix

Many months ago I decided I was going to be doing the tiling downstairs in my new build which I complete on this Friday.

I've ordered all the tiles, adhesive, grout and have all the necessary tools to do the job. Having never tiled before doing the best part of 25-30 square meters is quite a big under taking however I am quite practical and do have a degree in cabinet making. Though no doubt tiling is a totally different kettle of fish.

I've read up on the process numerous times and am just after any tips and advice from people that have learnt by experience or are in the trade. If anyone could cast an eye over my approach below I would be very grateful.

The floor downstairs is concrete and is level. There is one patch that needs filling & leveling which the builder is going to do before I complete on Friday. So it should be 'good to go' a such.

I will be checking the floor with my spirit level which is about 1200mm long for high or low patches and if necessary using a self leveling screed/latex to sort these. Once this is all a-ok It'll be getting a good hoover & maybe mop? To remove all loose particles and any dirt.

Then I will measure lengthways and widthways to find the center point of the room and lay tiles widthways and lengthways with the relevant spacing at several junctions to see how the tiles will meet the edge of the room and perhaps shift the centre point if it will give a better finish & avoid any major headaches. The tiles run in to the hall and also the utility and he downstairs WC so it might take a bit of faffing to get right.

Next I'll mix up the first batch of adhesive (just as much as I need so it doesn't set) and tile outwards towards where the fridge is going as this will be coming a few days later so needs to be completed first. I'll be sure to work systematically so I can still use the kitchen and work in an order so that I won't need to step on any of the tiles.

I have two weeks off work to help myself move in and do this tiling and odd jobs so I may well just get most of it down and then come back to cut tiles to go around the edges at a later date.

A couple of questions:

When laying the tiles on the adhesive (which will be spread in areas no bigger than a square meter at a time to stop it having set) the tiles will be laid on top and then given a little twist to help them grip. Do I need to push these in to the adhesive at all or will it's own weight and a twist be sufficient?

The tile spacers. Can I grout over these? As I have seen images where they are laid in a similar fashion to the tiles, around the courners sat in the adhesive. Or should they be pushed in vertically and sit above the tiles so they can be removed at a later date?

That's all I can think of for now.

The tiles are ceramic and the adhesive is a quick setting (3 hours)

Thanks,

Ben

Ebe_Scrooge

You've about got it. Yes, start in the centre and work outwards, counter-intuitive as it may initially seem. Yes, dry-lay first to avoid awkward cuts at the edges. Make sure all your lines are perpendicular, walls and floors are never exactly level and corners are never exactly 90 degrees. Sounds like you've done your homework, you shouldn't have any problems. Tiling is not difficult, just time-consuming for the novice, take your time and you'll be fine. Oh, and the spacers - usually you make sure they sit below the level of the tiles then grout over them.

SilverSix

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

You've about got it. Yes, start in the centre and work outwards, counter-intuitive as it may initially seem. Yes, dry-lay first to avoid awkward cuts at the edges. Make sure all your lines are perpendicular, walls and floors are never exactly level and corners are never exactly 90 degrees. Sounds like you've done your homework, you shouldn't have any problems. Tiling is not difficult, just time-consuming for the novice, take your time and you'll be fine. Oh, and the spacers - usually you make sure they sit below the level of the tiles then grout over them.

Fantastic, thanks!

I don't mind if it takes me a month to do it as long as I do a good job. My family and girl friend are kind of doubting me and recommending I get the site professional in to do it, though I'm on a money saving mission and also wan't to show them I am capable!

Obviously if it starts to look utter **** then I'll stop and get on the blower to the tiler!

Assegai

Sounds like you have a good handle on it ben. A coupe of things to think about though. Not knowing what the tile quality is like, be aware that sometimes batches of tiles can be different sizes (only a mil here or there but enough that can make a difference). If you find that this is the case, make sure you can access the other tiles and can measure the top one so that you can figure if it is more suited to the last metre you tiled - this helps to keep the joints more consistent.
With the patch that the builder is going to fill is it deep enough to be with concrete? Just be aware that technically you should wait two weeks or so (depending on the heat) to lay the tiles as the moisture can compromise the keying of the adhesive and depending on the colour of the tiles can affect the shading. If this is the case you should avoid laying on here for a little bit.
Inevitably you will get some broken tiles come in the packs. These can be useful in putting in areas where you know units are going to sit or for cuts around the edges so don't be tempted to throw them away immediately. (you prob would have figured this but thought it was worth a mention)

hope this helps!

27col

It is always a good idea to start tiling from a level batten fixed to the wall. this will obviate any tendency for the tiles to slip down when you are not looking.

Yolina

BennyC wrote: »

My family and girl friend are kind of doubting me and recommending I get the site professional in to do it.

Tell them to do something useful and come and help you (particularly for cleaning the tiles after grouting - that *is* the most annoying part!)
I managed to tile my kitchen perfectly well when I bought my flat, having never done it before - it's not difficult, just take your time.

keystone

OP - yes it does sound as though you have a good handle on the problem. What material are the tiles you are putting on the floor, what size are they and what adhesive have you bought?

Cheers

SilverSix

Thanks for the replies.

The tiles will actually be laid in an off-set fashion. In a similar manner to here (the show home):

https://img.skitch.com/20110221-efu2gy68pja4qand2kwdyq5qyw.jpg

So a slight difference in tile size won't be too much a of problem, although I will try to select them to get some uniformity.

Good shout about the concrete setting etc. I'll avoid these areas for 2 weeks or so if possible.

The tiles are ceramic, nothing too fancy from B&Q and the adhesive is their Uni-bond rapid set. The tiles are 200x300mm.

ormus

mark the floor like so, and then you start tiling at the cross intersection. in the middle.
that way you end up with the same size tiles/border all the way around.

tpt

take the unibond back, go get some decent quality stuff like BAL, Granfix etc.

andyhop

When was the floor slab poured

I would expect a new build to take months after completion to fully set