WHY PICK Modern Tiling
In Dublin, you’ll find no shortage of tiling companies to choose from. It can be quite overwhelming to make the right selection when searching for a trustworthy tiler near me. Whether you decide to search online or reach out by phone, just a single click or call can lead you to the right tiler in Dublin.
As a certified and licensed tiling agency with years of experience, we take pride in our team of skilled industrial tilers. We have the expertise to transform the appearance of your space with our exquisite ceramic tiles.
How to Prepare a Wall for Tiling (Top + detailed Tips).
In order to have a stress-free experience when installing new wall tiles, follow our easy-to-understand guide. No matter the surface you’re tiling on, proper wall preparation is crucial. It is important to ensure that the surface is level and thoroughly cleaned, free from any dust, dirt, or moisture. Once you have completed the necessary preparation, applying adhesive and affixing your new tiles onto the wall will be a seamless and effortless process.
Step-by-step instructions for tiling a wall:
1. Begin by removing any old fittings attached to the wall.
2. Take care of any unsuitable plaster by either repairing it or removing it altogether.
3. If there is any wallpaper on the wall, eliminate it or pre-treat it appropriately.
4. Inspect the wall for any fractures or signs of damage and make the necessary repairs.
5. Ensure that the surface area is level and smooth.
6. Use sandpaper to properly sand the surface, creating an ideal base for tiling.
7. Thoroughly clean the surface, making sure it is free from any dust, grease, or dirt.
8. Select the appropriate guide or primer for your specific surface to enhance adhesion.
Other essential preparation to do prior to you get going:
1. Accurately calculate the area you will be tiling to determine the exact quantity of tiles needed.
2. Based on your measurements, calculate the precise number of tiles required for the project.
3. Purchase extra tiles – it is recommended to buy at least 10% more than the calculated amount to account for potential breakage during installation. For complex patterns or if you anticipate future difficulties in finding identical tiles, consider buying 20% or even 30% extra.
4. By following these steps and making the necessary preparations, you’ll ensure a successful and hassle-free wall tiling project.
Having the right adhesive is crucial
Amateur DIY enthusiasts can opt for ready-to-use adhesive, while experienced tilers prefer the powdered variety. The powdered adhesive allows for more precise adjustments and alignment due to its slower drying time.
Here’s a helpful tip: when tiling areas prone to moisture, like kitchen splashbacks or bathrooms, it’s advisable to use water-resistant adhesive. This ensures that your tiles remain securely attached even in damp environments.
Let’s not forget the importance of a level wall
Tiling on an uneven wall can spell disaster. To check for irregularities, simply take a long, flat object (such as a regular slab) and slide it along the wall. This will reveal any swollen areas or bumps that need attention.
An uneven wall can prevent proper bonding of the adhesive, risking the stability of your entire tile installation. Professional tilers suggest that tolerances within the range of 3mm to 6mm can still be managed, but anything beyond that may lead to problems.
Attempting to compensate for unevenness by applying a thicker layer of adhesive may result in weakened grip over time, leading to future issues.
Preparing different surface areas for tiling requires specific approaches
For a successful tiling project, it’s crucial to select the correct solution that matches your specific wall type. When in doubt, seeking advice from a skilled tiler is strongly advised. Their knowledge and expertise will guide you through the preparation process with ease.
Tile board backers offer an excellent and effortless solution for managing uneven surfaces
While they may come with a slightly higher price tag, these boards effectively tackle the issue at hand. What’s more, they are designed to resist moisture, preventing the growth of mould that often plagues porous materials in warm and humid conditions. This makes tile backer boards an incredibly practical choice, particularly in areas like showers, bathrooms, and around the kitchen sink.
However, it’s important to note that opting for tile backer boards will increase the expense of your tile installation project.
Practical suggestion: To guarantee their effectiveness, it is crucial to securely mount the boards and ensure their durability.
Is it possible to install new tiles on top of old tiles?
While it is technically possible, it is generally more advisable to remove the old tiles and start with a fresh surface for tiling.
The smooth surface of most tiles poses a challenge for proper adhesive bonding. In such cases, additional measures are required. Depending on the available tools, you can utilise medium to coarse sandpaper or a grinding disc to create a rougher texture on the old tiles. However, caution must be exercised to avoid compromising the integrity of the existing tiles during this process.
Before tiling over the old tiles, it is crucial to inspect for any voids behind them. Simply knock on each tile and listen for hollow sounds. Detection of any hollow areas indicates inadequate adhesion, and tiling over them can potentially lead to collapses in the future.
What tools will I require for a DIY tile installation?
– Paintbrush
– Paint roller
– Liquid waterproofing membranes or plastic sheets (for moisture protection)
– Regular utility knife
– Stapler
– Mask and protective glasses (to protect against debris)
– Gloves
– Straight edge or similar tool
– Pencil
– Measuring tape
– Drill
– Pins or tile spacers (to hold the tiles in place while the adhesive dries)
– Level (to ensure tiles are installed evenly)
To achieve optimal tile adhesion, it is imperative to have a surface that is both clean and dry. Failure to do so can compromise the effectiveness of the adhesive and lead to potential tile problems.
While surfaces like masonry, ceramic, and vinyl generally do not require any additional treatment for proper tile adhesion, wooden surfaces demand an extra step. Before installing the tiles, it is essential to apply a layer of paint or primer to the wooden surface.
How do I prep drywall for a fresh tile installation?
For proper tile installation, it is essential to allow a freshly installed drywall to dry and settle for about a month. During this period, joint taping is not required. Once the drywall is fully cured, create a smooth surface by applying a skim coat and sanding it.
Before applying the adhesive, ensure that the surface is free from dust and completely dry.
Important: In areas with high moisture levels, it is advisable to use waterproof plasterboard to prevent any potential water damage.
How do I prep old drywall for a fresh tile setup?
Check the strength of the old drywall before proceeding with tile installation. If you are unsure, seeking guidance from an experienced tiler is recommended. Repair any cracks or holes left by previous wall fittings using an appropriate filler. After filling, apply a primer and allow it to dry. Give the wall a final sanding to ensure a smooth surface, ready for tiling. Apply the adhesive once the preparation is complete.
How do I prep the wall for tiles if the drywall is already painted or textured?
When it comes to painted or textured drywall, professionals suggest using PVA or even diluting your adhesive with water to create a simple DIY primer.
Once that’s done, there are a few important tasks to tackle: Get rid of any peeling or damaged paint, fix cracks and holes, and sand down any uneven surfaces. It’s crucial to ensure that the wall is completely clean, free from any dust, oil, or grease.
Pro tip: For a thorough and powerful clean, consider treating the wall with Trisodium Phosphate (TSP). Just remember to keep this product away from children’s reach.
How do I prep a plywood surface area for fresh tiling?
While plywood works well for flooring, it may not be the most practical choice when it comes to wall tiling. Plywood, being composed of compressed wood and oils, can be sensitive to heat. This means that if there are frequent and extreme temperature fluctuations, tiles and grout applied to plywood walls could potentially crack. To avoid this issue, it is advisable to refrain from directly tiling onto plywood walls.
How do I prep a wallpapered wall for tiling?
When it comes to wall coverings, tiling offers more durability and practicality than wallpaper. It’s always recommended to remove the wallpaper before tiling whenever possible.
The most common and effective method for wallpaper removal involves using steam to expose the adhesive. However, this approach comes with certain risks, especially for drywall or engineered wood surfaces. The high temperatures and moisture from the steam can potentially cause irreversible damage.
If you prefer a safer option, you can gently clean the wallpapered surface with a warm, damp cloth. This process will help loosen the wallpaper without saturating the underlying material. Repeat the steps several times and use a scraper for easy removal.
After successfully removing the wallpaper, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the surface before applying primer or adhesive for your new tiles.
In summary, proper wall preparation is crucial for successful and long-lasting tile installation. Avoid tiling directly on plywood walls as they may lack the necessary stability. When dealing with wallpapered walls, it’s advisable to remove the wallpaper prior to tiling for improved adherence and longevity.
Watch this video and learn how to tile kitchen wall
Tilers (WikiPedia)
Tiles come in various shapes, like squares or rectangles, and are crafted using sturdy materials such as ceramic, stone, metal, clay, or glass. They serve a multitude of purposes, including covering roofs, floors, walls, edges, and even tabletops. Alternatively, lightweight tiles made from perlite, wood, or mineral wool are specifically designed for wall and ceiling applications. Another definition of a tile refers to the rectangular counters utilised in tile-based games. The term has its roots in the French word “tuile,” derived from the Latin term “tegula,” which describes a fired clay roof tile.
Tiles are popular choices for covering walls and floors, offering a diverse range of options from simple square tiles to intricate mosaic designs. Ceramic is a commonly used tile material, often glazed for interior use and left unglazed for roofing purposes. However, other materials like glass, cork, concrete, composites, and natural stones such as marble, onyx, granite, and slate are also widely employed. Thinner tiles are suitable for wall installation, while more durable surfaces are required for floors to withstand impacts.