Top 10 Most Common Tiling Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Posted On July 16th, 2019

Tiling can be a fantastic way to make your home feel modern, fresh and pleasing to the eye. Hiring an experienced Melbourne Tiler can make a big difference in how quickly and how well your tiling project is completed.

Although it isn’t the most difficult of ways for home improvement, there are a few simple mistakes that can affect the final outcome and give you some grief.

Top 10 Most Common Tiling Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

To help ensure you get the best results, Pro Tiling Melbourne has put together 10 Common Tiling Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

 

  1. Not Cleaning and Smoothing a Surface Before Tiling

Not cleaning and smoothing a surface first can lead to loose tiles and even cracking. Be sure to remove any dirt and coatings prior to tiling.

  1. Not Installing a Backer Board

When tiling in an area where there is a lot of water such as a shower, it is important to install waterproof backer board. Backer boards prevent water from seeping into cracks while keeping everything stable.

  1. Not Using the Right Trowel

Using the right trowel ensures that the thin-set for your tiles are laid out correctly. Larger tiles need deeper layers of thin-set and so require a trowel with deep notches.

  1. Not Getting Enough Tiles

First-time tilers will often buy the exact number of tiles required for the project at hand. However, tiles are easily breakable and can crack in the process, so it is recommended to buy 10 % more tiles then required.

  1. Not Removing Excess Grout

A common mistake of first-time tilers is either using too much grout or not removing excess grout. Excess grout will diminish the aesthetic appeal of your tiles. Fortunately, this isn’t hard to fix.

  1. Grouting Unevenly

Grouting unevenly can be distracting and aesthetically displeasing. Grouting too quickly can lead to this and mean less time spent making it laid out smoothly.

  1. Using the Wrong Underlayment

Not using the right underlayment or installing it incorrectly can prevent tiles from being laid out flat. An underlayment in good shape, as well as a stiff base, will prevent cracked tiles.

  1. Messy Caulk Lines

Caulk lines can give a sense of completeness to your tiles, but a common mistake is to apply them messily. This can mean the caulk lines aren’t applied smoothly or consistently which can be an eyesore.

  1. Not Fixing Mistakes Quickly Enough

It is understandable that first-time tilers will run into a few mistakes and imperfections. Luckily, most of these can and should be fixed as soon as possible (within the first 6-12) hours. However, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to fix these problems. In other words: keep a keen eye on your tiles for any mistakes and be sure to fix them as soon as possible.

  • ‘Dotting’ the Corners of Tiles

It is a common mistake to ‘dot’ the corners of tiles to provide a stronger bond for them. However, this is not recommended – ‘dotting’ corners’ means an uneven spread of adhesive can lead to cracking since the adhesive can shrink when it dries. This adds pressure to tiles so it is best to simply have an even spread of adhesive.

 

If you prefer to put your tiling job in the right hands that guarantee a satisfactory finish you can always count on Pro Tilers Melbourne who provides a client-centric service that prioritizes your overall vision.

 

Contact Pro Tilers Melbourne today at 0450 516 537

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