Posted by Bob Bulmer on Mon 3rd September 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Bathroom, Decor, Tiling
Almost all tiles are fairly well suited to hot conditions of around 100 Celsius. This makes them ideal for Kitchen wall surfaces, particularly those surrounding the cooker.
In theory, the thicker the ceramic tile, the less likely that it will crack under adverse heat conditions.
Nonetheless, when tiling around a fireplace or kitchen hob you should always check their suitability with the supplier.
Posted by Bob Bulmer on Fri 31st August 2007 at 06:00 AM, Filed in Bathroom, Decor, Tiling
An adhesive spreader is an essential tool for tiling.
Often made of plastic with a notched edge. They usually come gratis with the adhesive, although personally I prefer to use a slightly larger model.
The notches on the spreader ensure that the adhesive is spread at even depth and also reduces the amount of adhesive required.
When using the spreader load with adhesive and apply in a firm sweeping motion across the wall.
Cutting tiles into various sizes and shapes is almost always required to fill awkward gaps.
Tools Required
• Tape measure.
• Steel rule.
• Tile cutter.
• Carborundum stone.
• Fine Chinagraph pencil.
You may also need pincers/pliers, G-Cramp and adhesive.
Using the above tools you can follow the procedures below:
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1. Mark the position on the tile using a felt tip.
2. Place some see through masking tape over the mark. Re mark the position on the tape. The tape is used to prevent the drill masonry bit sliding on the surface of the tile.
3. Fit your drill with a small diameter masonry bit - this helps prevent cracking. Begin slowly drilling at the mark until the bit has penetrated through the surface glaze of the tile.
4. Match a larger masonry drill bit with the screw you intend fix with.
5. Begin slowly drilling at the hole until you have enlarged the hole within the tile and also drilled through to the plaster behind it.
6. Insert a plug if necessary - then insert your fixing screw. Do not tighten the screw too far otherwise you will end up cracking the tile.
Laying paper faced tiles can be achieved as follows:
1. Lay the sheet of mosaic tiles onto the floor paper side down, then fill the tile fissures with grout.
2. Let the grout dry a little, then using a notched spreader apply ceramic adhesive to the wall.
3. Push the mosaic sheet onto the ceramic adhesive with the paper facing outwards.
4. Wait for 24 hours. This allows the adhesive to harden.
5. Saturate the paper on the sheet using a sponge then slowly peel away.
6. Dry off the mosaic tile sheet using a cloth. Fill gaps between sheets using grout.
7. Wipe away excess grout immediately if using waterproof grout. Normal grout can be left to harden before removing with a cloth or sponge.
