Nov 21, 2021
Tiling floors can be quite a challenge! You can never be too sure that you’ll create the perfect layout every time, even for our experts. So, whether you’re a beginner on tiling floors or you just want to make sure that your hired workers are working on your tiles flawlessly, AllHome got you! In this article, we’ll be talking about the common mistakes when laying floor tiles.
Even when the flooring is only cemented, it is important to clean it well. Cleaning up is part of the preparation before laying floor tiles. You wouldn’t want to skip this step because, as we believe in AllHome, preparation is key to a good foundation of anything. What you want to do is make sure that the surface where you will place your tiles is free of grease, wax, oil, and curing compounds because these can disrupt your adhesive resulting in a less likable result.
Another important thing to do for any activity is planning. If you’re someone who likes to just go with the flow and deal with things when they’re right in front of you, you may want to avoid that in tiling floors. Some mistakes in tiling can be traced back to poor organization. Examples of this would be incorrect measurements and the layout of tiles. You have to agree that having tiles that don’t line up is annoying, which is why it is important to measure and have a drawing of the layout of the room with reference areas where you will start placing the tiles–this will help make sure that your tiles are evenly placed.
You may ask “why is not ordering extra tiles a mistake? Isn’t it better to just have an exact amount of what you need to avoid wasting?” Not in tiling! AllHome advises you to allow a small percentage of tile wastage by getting a bit more tiles than what you need in case a few tiles break, which is a common scenario especially when tiles are being cut into smaller pieces. Moreover, you may find it surprising how you may have underestimated how many tiles you actually need to cover an area.
There are different types of adhesive that you can use to stick your tiles onto a surface, which is why deciding on what adhesive to use based on the function of an area is highly important to make sure that your foundation is well set as this will determine on whether the tiling job is well-executed and will last throughout the years of use. For example, in areas that are prone to getting wet like your bathrooms or swimming pools, a heavy-duty waterproof adhesive is suitable.
It can get exciting when you see the tiles laid out already. You’ll think that the construction is nearly complete, but wait! After laying out the tiles, you’ll have to wait for at least a day to make sure that the adhesive is already dried and the position of the tiles is final. Sometimes, people get excited and think that they should apply the grout as soon as the tiles are laid down, however, this can cause the tiles and the spaces between them to move, butchering the delicate process of setting up the area and laying down the tiles, which can be difficult to fix.
More on grout issues, applying too much grout right away is also a common mistake in the finishing touches of tiles. Putting a lot of grout will lead to uneven surfaces because the excess grout you used will dry before you get to even it out and put it firmly in the right position. Thus, it is important to apply just a small amount of grout at a time and to use a squeegee to ensure that your grout is applied evenly.
The complex task of tiling floors can be stressful. It is hard to make mistakes in the process because one mistake may ruin the whole thing. So, if you’re someone who is completing a do-it-yourself tiling project, please take these common mistakes into mind to avoid doing them and having a smooth job. If you’re someone who just wants to check if your hired workers are doing their job carefully, watch out for these common mistakes that they may make.
For whatever tiling needs you may require, have a look at AllHome Philippines’ tiles range. Visit any All Home branches to check out great finds. We offer DIY Hardware, Construction Materials, Flooring, Furniture and Appliances, Homewares, Linens, Sanitary Ware, and more! You may also visit our website and enjoy the hassle-free experience of shopping online through AllHome.com.ph today! AllHome online store has a shopping site that offers fast delivery, cash on delivery, and easy payment terms. You may also follow us on our official Facebook page and Instagram accounts for more updates.
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