Tiling the MSE way - any advice!

bigdic

claireb wrote: »

Just wondering if "Bigdic" :rolleyes2 is still around as I'm interested to know which adhesive/grout can be recommended. I went to B&Q yesterday and there was a lot to choose from and it was very expensive.

Also, are any additional tools needed other than the cutter?

Thanks.

You rang?

I've always used the Unibond adhesive and their seperate powdered grout, it is slightly more expensive than the B&Q value stuff but as someone else said it's false economy to but the cheapest stuff.

Additional Tools for tiling

(This is just what I find useful for tiling)

A wallpaper scraper (hand for getting the adhesive out the tub, and for "buttering" up tiles if therye's a dent in the wall)
A sponge
Tile spacers
If your doing a lot of straight cuts then a http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9277871&fh_start_index=12&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB%2fcategories%3c%7b10083%7d&fh_search=tiling&fh_refview=search&ts=1185526871302&isSearch=false is very useful, fast and very accurate.
A couple of adhesive trowels (small and large)
A grout finishing tool (bit of plastic with a ball on the end) makes the grout look very professional when you're finished.

Those are most of the things I've built up over the years which make it a bit easier. The most important thing is that when you're getting really really p****d off with it, remember it will look good when you're finished and you'll feel very proud.

agent_orange_2

claireb wrote: »

Thanks, I am tiling a concrete kitchen floor with porcelain tiles. The array of products is confusing, but I have found a technical helpline number for Bal - I called but no one's picking up at the moment. I will try again later.

Maybe you could visit www.screwfix.com . Click on talk (top of the page) ,, and then go to tilers talk. If you then use the search forum option at the top centre - put in something like ' porcelain floor tiles' and there you can hopefully find all the info you need for the job.
You could even register to ask you own question, some of the posters are a bit abrasive at times.

cheers.

Canucklehead

Hello: We just tiled a kitchen and bathroom with ceramic on concrete with the Wickes gear...very important that the concrete is level before tiling...you might need to use a self- levelling compound to sort it out otherwise you could encounter some aggro trying to even out the tiles! OH has also used Bal products and http://www.ardex.co.uk/ardicol_d20.asp when we lived in London but both lines aren't as easy to source down here whereas we have a Wickes Extra close by...frequented by lots of trades.

HTH
Canucklehead

claireb

Thanks agent orange - lots of advice on that web forum - but its a relief to be back into the warm fold of MSE after reading those posts!

agent_orange_2

claireb wrote: »

Thanks agent orange - lots of advice on that web forum - but its a relief to be back into the warm fold of MSE after reading those posts!

You're right there.

coolagarry

I agree with all that's been said. Tiling is more methodical than inspirational. Take it easy, start off with proper levels and keep checking if doing patterns.
One way I saved a lot of money was to visit Topps tiles and look at their special offers of 'feature' tiles (invariably roman females carrying jugs) from an old display and matched them with plain tiles in the shop. The bathroom now looks very impressive and didn't cost a lot

FunkyMunkey

agent_orange wrote: »

Hi, I have just tiled the bathroom (walls) , like you, i was wondering which was the best adhesive. I ended up using Bal white star, which I had seen recommended. This is ready mixed and good for domestic shower areas. Most pro's use bal products. I went to a specialist tile shop and paid £18 for a 10 ltr tub. This is actually cheaper than the stuff you'll find at the likes of B and Q and, I believe, cheaper than the wickes own brand.
Oh and don't forget, use a decent grout, especially in shower area - something like Bal flexible - £10 a bag .

good luck

Thanks

Where would I buy this from?

agent_orange_2

You can get Bal products from topps tiles and most independant tile shops. I know screwfix sell some Bal products (Bal blue star adhesive for one). You may have a screwfix trade counter near you. I personally used the Ipswich one.

FunkyMunkey

Cool. There's a Screwfix Counter about 5 miles away from here.

Cheers

golddustmedia

I used a tile adhesive from Homebase which also serves as a grout so you only end up buying 1 tub.

I cannot emphasise what a false economy it was! As an adhesive any that remains on the tile surface is an absolute swine to remove and so I spent more time scouring the tile clean of excess grout/adhesive than it took to put the tiles up in the first place.

A bag of tile spacers was very helpful though!

I used a manual tile cutter (the type a bit like a paper trimmer) and it worked very well, only broke 5 out of about 200 tiles incorrectly and that was down to me not scoring the cut properly first.