_{DIY- Surface Preparation}

First of all when you decide to tile some floor  or wall area you have to determine what is the substrate and how solid it is to handle the laying of the new tiles, if there is any previous floor/wall covering. In most situations  the old  covering should be removed.

Inadequate or incorrect surface preparation is the most
common cause of failure when bonding to building surfaces.
Substrates must be sound, clean, free from dirt, dust,
sealers, curing compounds and any other contaminants.
Similarly, substrates must be designed or prepared for tiling
in accordance with the relevant Building Codes.

Common Substrates for Ceramic Tiles
It should always be borne in mind that no two surfaces are
the same. Each type of surface has its own characteristics.
These include; rate of expansion and contraction; porosity;
dimensional stability etc.
Methods for Preparing Substrates
Below are methods for correct preparation of commonly
encountered substrates. If the substrate which you wish to
tile is not reviewed in this section, or you are unsure of the
advice we offer, please consult Jerry and the Tileamakers Technical Advisory.

Plasterboard
In all cases, boards must be fixed in accordance with
manufacturer’s instructions. When using in wet areas, it is
important that a wet area grade of board is used - refer to
board supplier for more detailed information. All dust must be
removed from the surface by wiping down with a damp cloth
and allowing it to dry. The sheets should then be primed.
 
Set Plaster
These substrates are gypsum based, and are highly
absorbent. Firstly the surface should be lightly abraded, and
all dust removed by wiping down with a damp cloth, then
allow the surface to dry. The plaster should then be primed prior to tiling.

DIY - Easy Tile Laying Guidelines

Before you start
• Ensure there are sufficient tiles to complete the job as the same batch may not be available at a later date
• Keep some tiles when the job is complete for future maintenance. Matching tiles years later is nearly impossible
• Ensure measurements are accurate and add 5% to 10% for cuts, spares and possible breakage’s to avoid frustration for everyone
• Check on the positioning of border tiles, tozzettos, etc before you start
• Ensure the substrates are prepared correctly and are suitable for tiling especially waterproofing of showers and wet areas
Before fixing commences
• Check the shade marking on boxes to ensure you have been supplied from one batch. Once tiles are fixed no claims can be made
• Large tiles may vary slightly in size and shape due to the manufacturing process. This is normal. However, tiles should be placed so as grout joins are wide enough to accommodate any variation
• Ensure you use an appropriate adhesive for both the substrate and tile type to be fixed

As you tile
• Please use tiles from 3 or more boxes to ensure proper blending of any colour variation that may exist naturally in the tiles
• Keep an eye on your work as you progress so blend and effect is maintained
• Keep one box from batch for tile identification in case you do need more tiles at a later date
If laying a large area
• We recommend that hidden areas, ie. under stoves, fridges, etc are tiled last so batch
variation is not a problem if you run short of tiles
• Ensure that advised adhesive is used and that bed thickness and adhesive contact to tiles is achieved
• If you have any doubts as you proceed contact your tile supplier without delay

 Ask the expert:

• Are Cheap Tiles Good
  
• Can Floor Tile Be Used On The Wall
  
• Can I Install Tile In A Mobile Home
  
• Can I Lay New Tile On Top Of Old Tile
  
• Can I Lay Tile On Wood Floors
  
• Can I Lay Tile On Vinyl
  
• Can I Put Anything On My Tile To Make it Shine
  
• Can I Stain My Grout
  
• Can Wall Tiles Be Used On Floors
  
• Can You Drill A Hole In Tile
  
• Can I Install Tile Out Doors
  
• Can I Clean Old Grout
  
• Do I Need To Remove My Wall Paper
  
• Hardy Backer Or Wood-Board
  
• How Thin Should Grout Be
  
• How To Clean Grout Haze
  
• How To Measure For Tile
  
• How To Remove Vinyl
  
• Is My Shower Leaking
  
• Adding Color To Grout
  
• Mixing With Only Half A Unit Of Epoxy
  
• Should You Use Grout Release With Epoxy
  
• How Does Epoxy Set Up
  
• What To Do In The Case Of A Warped Blade
  
• What To Do If Your Thin-set Is Drying To Fast
  
• What Size Saw To Use
  
• Nails Or Screws In Backer-Board
  
• Replacing A Chipped Tile
  
• Sanded Grout Or Not
  
• Should I Seal My Tile
  
• Should I Tape Backer-Board
  
• Should I Use Spacers
  
• Should I Tile Under My Toilet
  
• What Color Thin-Set To Use
  
• What About A Creak In The Slab
  
• What Is The Difference Between Marble and Granite
  
• What Kind Of Thin-set With Backer-Board
  
• What Size Backer-Board
  
• What Size Grout Joint
  
• When To Grout The Tile
  
• Will Tile Chip
  
• Will I Need A Saw
  
• Is Epoxy Good Grout
  
• Is Porcelain Better Than Ceramic
  
• What Kind Of Tile To Use Around A Fireplace
  
• Lay Tile Over Formica
  
• What To Do If Grout Begins To Crack
  
• Cutting Tile Without Water
  
• Removing Old Grout
  
• When Using Glue With Tile, How Long Should You Wait To Gout
  
• The Saw And Safety
  
• Should You Use Sanded Grout With Marble
  
• What Size Cutting Blade Should You Use                                

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