Tiling Start: From Tool Preparation To Laying

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Preparation stages
• Materials and tools
• Preparing the base for processing
• Waterproofing and protective coatings
• Application of antifungal agents
• Base primer
• Surface marking
• Conclusion

Many are worried about the question of what to do at the beginning of laying the tiles. At first glance, it may seem that there is nothing difficult in this, but, having fully considered the list of works to be mastered, a slightly different impression is formed. But nevertheless, although there are quite a few preparatory processes, they still need to be given special attention, since the durability of the coating depends on it.

Preparation stages

By itself, the beginning of laying the tiles implies a full preparation of the base, which, accordingly, can be divided into several stages. Among them, the following action steps stand out:

1. Preparation of materials and tools.
2. Preparation of the base.
3. Waterproofing and applying additional protective compounds.
4. And the last stage is marking.

But in order to fully understand the importance of each stage, you should consider them separately in more detail, which will help you understand their role in the whole process. And also how they affect the quality of the finished coating.

Materials and tools

The first step in starting flooring is to prepare tools and materials. Since the tiles are laid in a room with high humidity and constant temperature changes, special attention should be paid to the choice of materials. In addition, it is imperative to carry out a primer, waterproofing and application of additional protective compounds, which we will talk about a little later.

First of all, let's note the necessary tools:

1. Tile cutter or grinder.
2. Roulette.
3. Building level, preferably laser.
4. Plumb line.
5. Crosses or tile leveling systems.
6. Spatula set (regular and notched). The size depends on the type and dimensions of the tiles.
7. Container for mixing solutions.
8. Rubber hammer.

Considering the necessary materials, you should purchase:

1. Priming compound.
2. Antiseptics and anticorrosive compounds.
3. Waterproofing material.
4. Sealant and grout. When using a latex or epoxy grout, no sealant is required.
5. Adhesive composition.
6. And, in fact, the tile itself.

On this, the list of necessary materials and tools can be considered closed, and now we will go directly to the very foundation.

Preparing the base for processing

The first step in laying tiles in the bathroom is to prepare the base. In particular, it must be completely cleaned.

1. To begin with, the room is freed from furniture and plumbing, after which it is necessary to dismantle the old coating. In the case of tiles, it gets lost using chisels or a perforator. If the tiles are planned to be kept intact, then only chisels are used, if the materials are later discarded, then using a puncher will help to complete the work much faster
2. The next step is to resolve the issue with the type of plumbing and installation locations. More specifically, you should decide whether the cladding or the installation of the bathroom will be carried out first. This decision depends strictly on the type of plumbing and on future plans. In the case when the bathroom is installed on a frame, and the surface under it will be completely closed, laying tiles under the bath can be omitted. Such a move will help save on materials.
3. And the last step in the initial preparation of the base is its leveling. To do this, it is worth analyzing the coverage, and if there are bumps, potholes and irregularities, completely eliminate them. This stage is mandatory, since neglecting it will not only increase the consumption of the glue mixture, but also significantly degrade the quality of the finished coating.

Important! Even in the case when the lining is not carried out under the bathroom, its waterproofing and protective treatment are still carried out. Also, in cases where freestanding plumbing fixtures are installed on legs, the cladding should be carried out everywhere.

In the case of walls, with small defects (scratches, small potholes, etc.), the surface is putty. In cases with large deviations, it is necessary to perform plaster, or plasterboard cladding, always moisture resistant.

With floors, things are a little more complicated. The first step should be waterproofing, after which leveling with a screed or self-leveling floor. In the second case, a latex-based mixture becomes a good option, which allows you to make a perfect surface with a minimum layer of mortar.

Important! In the case when it is planned to install a "warm floor" system, its laying is carried out in advance, even before leveling, and is additionally insulated with a special film. To save money, the area under the fixtures and fittings is not insulated.

Waterproofing and protective coatings

Let's go directly to where to start laying tiles in the bathroom - waterproofing the coating. As you know, the bathroom is exactly the place where moisture accumulates the most and without reliable protection, the wall or floor covering can be infected with fungus. In addition, this provokes a change in the structure of the base, in particular, a decrease in density, which, in fact, becomes the cause of the formation of mold, which can spread to the entire wall, and even to neighboring rooms.

In the case of walls, treatment with moisture-repellent compounds or special mastic is provided.

For floors, there are several ways:

1. Application of paint with latex segments, the paint itself must be oily.
2. Processing with bituminous or mineral mastic.
3. Film laying.
4. Application of roll material.
5. Or the application of special polymer waterproofing compounds.

In addition, we note that the waterproofing of the floor is carried out with an overlap of 15-20 cm on the wall.

Application of antifungal agents

The beginning of laying tiles on the floor involves the application of antiseptic compounds. Today the construction market offers a wide variety of such materials. In individual cases, it is necessary to consult directly with the seller.

By applying this kind of composition, it is possible to completely prevent any contamination on the surface. This factor is very important, since spores of a fungus or mold release substances that are very harmful to the human body, and the bathroom itself, due to its microclimate, becomes an ideal place for their spread.

1. For proper processing, the surface must be perfectly clean.
2. The composition itself is applied with a brush or roller in the same way as a primer.
3. Then you should wait until it is completely dry and you can continue working.

Base primer

Laying tiles on floors and walls requires prior application of a primer. This composition helps to increase the adhesion of the coating to the substrate. The mixture is selected individually, depending on the base material. The types of primers themselves differ in the depth of impregnation, in additional properties, such as antibacterial protection, fire resistance, etc.

1. To carry out the priming, it is necessary to arm yourself directly with the mixture itself, a brush and a roller, as well as a special tray, or a bucket.
2. It is necessary to process every centimeter of the surface, the composition itself is applied in 2-3 layers.
3. Before applying each of them, you must wait until the previous one is completely dry.

Surface marking

And the very last process (immediately before the start of the installation itself) is the surface marking.

1. You should first think over the layout scheme, especially the laying of tiles in the corners becomes an important factor, since everything starts with it. And this factor is most important when laying diagonally.
2. Having made an approximate layout scheme, you can already evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages of each of the cladding options. In addition, by performing such a "marking" on paper, it is possible to accurately calculate the required number of tiles (if the drawing is carried out with respect to scale). This will ultimately simplify the installation process itself.

3. After developing the scheme, it is worth deciding from which corner to start laying the tiles. There is nothing difficult in this, the main thing is to start from the farthest corner from the door. If it is in the center of the wall, then you can start from both the right and left corners of the opposite railing. In the case when the doorway is slightly offset from the center, then both marking and laying from the farthest point from the door begin.

   

4. For masonry, the height is measured in one row on the wall and a bar is placed for laying the second (the first is laid out last). For the floor, the level of the surface is noted, the differences are measured and plumb lines are set. After that, a rough layout of the tile is carried out, taking into account all the seams, and its position is outlined (starting from the corner).

Conclusion

This completes the preparation, now you can proceed directly to laying the tiles. An important question will also be how to lay tiles in the corners of the bathroom, but we will talk about this when considering the technology of tiling walls and floors. By the way, very often people are interested in the time of laying the tiles, and we note that there is no clear deadline, it all depends on the adhesive mixture, the area of the room and many other factors. But in any case, when performing all the processes of preparation and laying with the required drying time of the compositions, this period will be at least 2-3 weeks (when leveling with a self-leveling floor, in the case of providing a screed, more).

Finally, here are a few videos with tips and tricks on where to start styling and how to do it.