Tiles Laying Guide

It’s important to make sure you have the right surface prepared before you think about beginning to tile. Ask yourself what your existing subfloor is and what the adjoining floor height is. This will help you determine and narrow down which underlayment to use. This is also the time to decide whether or not you want to include heating under your tile. Once you have weighed all of these factors, you can choose the right underlayment for your space. Next, make sure the floor’s surface is clean, dry, swept or vacuumed and free of dust before you install your underlayment.

Wall Requirements

The wall needs to possess strength and flatness with a smooth surface. It shouldn't be coated with wax or paint. For tiling on plywood, ensure the wall is both clean and dry. Additionally, seal the wall's surface using a 50% volume combination of PVA and water.

Tiles Preparation

Combine tiles from various cartons to achieve a seamless blend of shades.

Tiles Laying

To begin, use a high-quality ceramic adhesive on the wall. Start by placing the initial tile in the corner and evenly apply pressure to its four corners for proper adhesion. Fill the wall section that accommodates full tiles without cutting, allowing a minimum of 12 hours for setting. Proceed to fill the remaining area with precisely measured and cut tiles.

Temping Process

For optimal tile adhesion, use a rubber mallet to evenly tamp the tiles against the wall surface.

Applying Grout

The following day, proceed with grouting. Apply the grout diagonally between the tiles, using a sponge to fill the gaps. Then, clean and wipe away any excess grout using a sponge.

Curve Cutting

For tiles needed on curved surfaces like a wash basin, measure and mark the curve on cardboard. Then, use this cardboard template on the tile to guide your cutting.

Hole Cutting

To accommodate a pipe through the tile, a specific cutting method is required. Mark the tile with the intended position for the pipe. Draw a straight line passing through the center of the marked circle. Proceed to cut along this line. Then, create semi-circles on each half so that when these halves are aligned, they form a hole for the pipe.

Window Recess Tilting and Cutting

For a tile to fit into a window recess in an "L" shape, start by cutting a line from the center to the edge. Then, draw a vertical right-angle line downwards. By following these guidelines, cut the tile to create the necessary "L" shape that fits into the window recess.

Accessory Tiles Fitting

When laying regular tiles, leave a gap for fitting accessory tiles. Apply adhesive to the back of the accessory tile, then uniformly place it in the designated space and apply consistent pressure to secure it in position.

Tile Drilling

Cover the drilling area with masking tape. Mark the hole's position accurately, then drill using the lowest pressure possible on the drill.