DIY Tiling wall in bathroom?

Triggles

Just a quick question. How difficult is it to put up tiling on the walls in a bathroom? We already have the tiling done a bit more than halfway in the house we're moving into, however, we're going to be having a shower put in, and want to do the tiling higher up the wall due to the shower. How difficult is it to put this type of tiling up? Or are we better hiring someone to do it?

Alisonsvilla

if you are really good at DIY then go for it-if not hire someone.

There's nothing worse than tiling done badly-you will only hate it if it's not right.

A friend spent a lot of money on bathroom tiles -and a family member put them on.


All I can say is she wasted her money-it's a :eek:

Doozergirl

It looks a lot more expensive when it's done by a professional (and is) but you can do it if you are patient and take your time but wouldn't expect it to look amazing. I've found that mosaics are easier to do yourself because they come on big pieces and the vast majority will be perfectly spaced so there's a little margin for error

If one person starts and another finishes you can often see the difference because people lay tiles in their own way.

burnsguitarman

I have done tiling a few times now, (I do the actual tiling and my OH does all the cuts) and to be perfectly honest I have always found it quite easy and am very happy with my results! Try a small area first and make sure you follow a striaght line and use spacers. I get a great sense of achievement doing things yourself.
If you are continuing tiling up to the existing tiles you may have to regrout the original surrounding tiles, so they don't look odd iyswim!

weekendwarrior

It is not really that difficult, the main thing is to take your time. There are some good pages here on tiling- Tiling

Make sure you read the page about PVA.

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

i randomly started hacking off the tiles in our kitchen 2 weeks ago.... Stepped back about a week later to a superbly tiled kitchen and utility room.

My first effort at tiling and found it a breeze to be honest, i just took my time planning where to start each wall and draw vertical / horizontal lines etc. The hardest part was getting the grout off the tiles and polishing em up!

770 Tiles later and i wouldnt hesitate to do it again.

Perhaps a 'real' tiler would confirm, but in the bathroom/shower it might be worth getting 'anti mold' grout or similar...

sutwam

Hi

I would agree try a small area first and look at your results, if your happy go for it!

If your doing it as your adding a shower you have to remember that you are meant to "tank" the wall behind the tiles to make it a waterproof area either by using a waterproof membrane of a waterproof paint on system, as a tiled wall is not classed as being waterproof.

Hope it goes well

Bungarm2001

The thing that most DIY'ers don't do where tiling is concerned is plan it properly. My OH does loads of tiling, not just for us but many other people. He was taught by professional tilers that a couple of hours planning saves a few hours chipping off! He will spend ages just plotting and planning before he'll even get the tile cutter out, even if its a small job.

Having said that, actual tiling itself is relatively easy as long as you take your time and use the right tools, AND use the adhesive correctly (don't dot and dab 5 dinky little bits on the back of the tiles...get in there and spread it on the walls with a notched trowel....! )

Have a go yourself...I think you'll be surprised t how well you will do if you are properly prepared...!

Bungarm2001

sutwam wrote: »

Hi

I would agree try a small area first and look at your results, if your happy go for it!

If your doing it as your adding a shower you have to remember that you are meant to "tank" the wall behind the tiles to make it a waterproof area either by using a waterproof membrane of a waterproof paint on system, as a tiled wall is not classed as being waterproof.

Hope it goes well

Not strictly true...depends on the original wall (if new plywood then yes, firstly waterproof well with a coat of PVA) If a painted wall (plastered brick) then there is no need. Use adhesive with waterproofer already added. Make sure the edges are well finished with either plastic trim and silicone, or at least a good edging of decent grout with waterproofer.

My OH has tiled countless shower walls using the above methods depending on what kind of wall is to be tiled, including many of our own in various houses and he has never had a tile come off yet.

wallbash

The thing that most DIY'ers don't do where tiling is concerned is plan it properly.

Totally agree:j

If i use any sort of patten .... or the occasional patten tile to 'break' the wall up!

I draw on the wall !! put a cross where a different tile should go.Its easy to start putting tiles up and then standing back , to see that a patterned tile is not right.

Also by adjusting the first tile position. you might find out that you dont have any 'silly' little pieces on that last row. Time planning is NEVER wasted.

moonrakerz

I did my kitchen & bathroom, very pleased with results.

Take your time, measure everything twice. Buy something like this - worth every penny, even if you throw it away when you have done!

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/83636/Power-Tools/Tile-Saws/Titan-600W-Tile-Cutter