DIY Floor Tiling in Singapore
In Singapore, one of the most basic home improvement projects is tiling a floor. The process involves putting down adhesive, laying tile, and sealing the grout. Before you start, it’s important to understand the various steps of the project. Doing so will allow you to avoid potential problems and achieve the desired outcome.
Most people who have tackled a tiling project are proud of the work they have done, but they would agree that it would have looked better if it had been done by a professional tile contractor.
Also, most people also admit that the process took longer than they initially thought. In the end, it didn’t save them much money. One important thing to remember when it comes to tiling is that it takes a certain amount of skill to tile a floor. Having a professional installer take care of the tiling service is highly recommended for the first time.
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Steps To Tile A Floor
There are a few steps in tiling a floor, you will need to prepare the materials for floor tiling before getting started.
1. Prepare Thinset and Lay on the Floor
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and mix your thinset according to the instructions. Do your best to avoid over-mixing and damaging the pigment. Using your notched trowel, lay a bed of mortar over the floor at a 45-degree angle. Continue to spread this mixture until you have installed a couple of tiles. Make sure to lay the tile down on top of the mortar to ensure adhesion.
Make sure to level the tiles using your level. You can also make adjustments using light taps. One important step is to ensure that there are no gaps between the tiles. This will be crucial once more tiles are added. To ensure that the appropriate space is between the two, use tile spacers.
These are usually easy to work with and will leave a perfect space. They should not be mortared into the joints, and they can be used for larger formats. For larger tiles, we recommend using leveling or wedge-type mechanisms. These are designed to pull adjacent tiles to a flush finish height and eliminate the high lows.
Although these are usually recommended for larger sizes, they are also good for smaller formats, such as 18 x 18. To prevent any mortar from squeezing out, make sure to clean it immediately. This process can be challenging once dried, so make sure to get it off the tile’s edges. After this, lay the mortar over the floor, level the tile, and then place the spacer over the desired area.
2.Cut Tiles to Fit in the Edges
Contrary to popular belief, it is not as easy to cut tile as it seems. You can take your time and wear safety glasses. Before you start tiling, make sure that you lay mortar on the tile that you are planning on cutting. Doing so will prevent it from drying out before you can start setting the tile.
Measure out your tile and cut it into a space that you can fit into. Then, dry fit it and mortar it in place. If you have to make cuts, you can use a tile saw or a tile cutter. Before you start cutting, mark the tile where you want it to be cut. Place it inside the tile cutter, and be careful handling it as it will most likely be sharp.
Before you start tiling, make sure that you lay mortar on the tile that you are planning on cutting. Doing so will prevent it from drying out before you start setting the tile. After you have thoroughly dried the cut tile, make sure that it is fit into the space that you are planning on using it. If the mortar won’t fit in the space that you are planning on using it, then use your hands to apply it to the back of the tile.
Back buttering is a type of tiling that involves laying mortar on the tile that you are planning on using. Doing so will prevent it from drying out before you start setting the tile. If you use this method, make sure that you do not stick it to the back as it will leave hollow points underneath it. A curved cut is generally treated the same as a regular one.
Before cutting the tile, make sure that you have measured the area where you want it to be installed. Then, mark the cut line using a tool known as a contour gauge. Curve cuts are usually done using an angle grinder or a diamond hole saw.
Although a snap tile cutter cannot produce curve cuts, you can still make them using a wet saw. After carefully turning the tile, keep the curve line parallel to the blade as needed. For less-cosmetic curves, you can use your nippers to remove excess material. Make sure that you have smoothened the edges to avoid any sharp edges. You can install the tile as you would a straight one.
3. Tile Spacer Removal
After all of the tiles have been installed, it’s time to remove the tile spacer. Before you start grouting, make sure that all of the tile spacers are out of the way. Also, make sure to clean any dried mortar that’s left in the joints.
4. Grout Between the Tiles
When you fill in the spaces between your tiles, you’re adding a bit of character to the final flooring. With the help of adhesive, you can easily hold the tiles in place with just a touch of grout. Choosing the right color of grout can make your final floor look more like your home’s original color. For instance, if you have a stone or wood look tile, choose a grout that closely resembles the main color.
For a simple and elegant look, choose a grout that is similar to the color of your tile. This can unify the installation and add a modern and geometric element to your floor. A low contrast grout adds a subtle and understated effect to your floor tile. A vibrant color can also contrast with white lines. Mix the recommended grout according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
To apply the grout, use a grout float and press it into the seams between your tiles. Make sure to fill all the spaces and come back across them at a certain angle to remove as much as possible. Doing so will allow you to remove the excess grout without having to re-grout the areas. After you’ve applied the grout, use a grout sponge to remove it from the tile face. You can also use a bucket of water to smooth the seams.
To avoid over-wetting the grout joints, apply a sponge at an angle and make sure that it doesn’t get too wet. You should also avoid over-pressure while doing this as it can cause the grout to “grout haze.” You must keep agitating and wringing the sponge until all the excess is out, and repeat the process until the remaining grout is gone.
5. Clean up After Tiling
After you done tiling a floor, make sure that you thoroughly clean your tools and remove the excess grout. You should also keep traffic off the tile according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once this has happened, you can start working on the outside edges of the tile. You can use a variety of types of grouts to match the colors in your project. Some of these include both unsanded and sanded options. Color-matched silicone grout is ideal for wet areas. Once the curing time has finished, you can apply the recommended grout sealer.
A good color match silicone sealant can be used for wet areas, such as bathrooms. Before you start working on the grout, let it cure completely. The curing time for the manufacturer’s recommended sealant is typically around two to three weeks. Once the curing period has finished, you can use the sealant.
Some products come in a sponge roller bottle, which you can use to run through the grout lines. You can ask your friends for assistance if you prefer. After you’ve sealed the grout, the floor will look like new.