Tiling the MSE way - any advice!

LeShark

Hi all

Having read this I'm getting more and more tempted to do our bathroom myself! :j

I do have a question though...if you're tiling room a bath...where do you start from? The edge against the wall or do you still need to put the baton in? (does that make sense?). Also we're having the suite refitted, so when do I tile? Before the new one is put in or after?

Thanks!

atypicalblonde

We are getting started on ours soon - using travertine, are there any specific tips for this type of tile? Will post pics on this thread when it is all done (will hopefully be this side of Christmas )

agent_orange_2

LeShark wrote: »

Hi all

Having read this I'm getting more and more tempted to do our bathroom myself! :j

I do have a question though...if you're tiling room a bath...where do you start from? The edge against the wall or do you still need to put the baton in? (does that make sense?). Also we're having the suite refitted, so when do I tile? Before the new one is put in or after?

Thanks!

Normally the bath is fitted (and shower tray, if being fitted). These should be chased into the wall. When I assisted the plumber on my bathroom refit, he spent extra time on insuring the bath was exactly plumb (level).
I was able to start tiling directly onto the lip of the bath with a complete tile. If your bath is not refitted exactly plumb don't attempt to tile directly onto it. In this case you will need to affix a batten directly above the bath, measuring less than a tile height from the top of the bath. This is where you need to plan a little. Make sure you are not leaving yourself a sliver to cut from the tile.
I think, personally, it is best to complete tiling before the basin and the toilet/cistern go in. This avoids having to make awkward, unattractive cuts to tiles - it will be a much more professional job if tiled first. A lot of this, of course, depends on how you can fit in with your plumber and how quick you are with the tiling.

When starting tiling on any wall, never assume the wall is square. You should always use a batten (plumbed square) Some people use a vertical batten as well as a horizontal to ensure tiles are square. But once again, make sure you've worked out how the tiles will fit and avoiding any fiddly cuts into the corner. It is best to try and measure an equal cut on both sides of the wall.

Also it's best to use tile spacers, keeps the gaps between the tiles equal.

Hope this helps.

LeShark

OK then...thanks for the help.

Last question then (and it's probably in the wrong place as its about a quote)...

The guy whole's refitting the suite has quoted us £170 to retile (about 6-7sqm). We've got the tiles, he'll get everything else. This sounds a pretty good quote...what do you think?