How to do tiling yourself

"Finding the best person for the job may be hiring yoursef"

Making sure your bathroom tiles are done correctly is a fine art.

The concept of hybrid-DIY

Hybrid-DIY means that you do what you can do yourself and then hire someone to do what you can't be bothered to do or don't have the skills to do to the standard that you want it do be done. Millions of people across the globe go shopping to places like HomeDepot, B&Q, Coop Hobby, and many other places to buy hardware to upgrade their homes. DIY should be considered a national pastime along with going for walks in the park with your significant other. If we split our free time as a nation, I would not be surprised if television (Netflix), aimless walks in the park, shopping, eating, and DIY were the main categories for most people. That means you are not alone if you are trying to change your kitchen worktops, add in a nice Blanco sink, or replace your bathtub for a standing shower. And the best thing of course is that you can buy the hardware you want and install it yourself.

Youtube is our first port of call

Youtube is usually the best first port of call. There are thousands of videos online where people discuss and show you the methodology as well as tricks and outcomes that they have learnt. If you are lucky, the sink, worktop or whatever it is you are trying to install will have a video with the exact item. Given that we are talking about tiles here, it is easy to learn the correct technique by watching professional tilers do bathroom walls and floors. You can then emulate their technique yourself.

Buying the right tools

Proper tools and materials are crucial for a successful tiling job. Basic necessities include the tiles, a tile cutter, a notched trowel, a bucket, a sponge, a level, spacers, grout, and safety gear like gloves and goggles. Research or ask in-store for the specifics of each item to match the needs of your bathroom size, tile type, and design preferences.

Practice your technique

Before you start on your bathroom, practice your tiling technique in a less visible space or on a piece of plywood. Mix some tile mix, apply it, and try setting a few tiles. It's also wise to cut a few tiles to fit around fixtures. This practice allows you to get a feel for the work and make mistakes before it counts.

Plan and prepare the space

Analyse your bathroom and plan your design. Decide if you want a simple pattern or something more complex. Remove old tiles if necessary, clean the area thoroughly, and ensure the space is level. Planning also involves measuring your space and calculating the number of tiles needed, considering a little extra for waste or broken tiles.

Try getting yourself a Bluebadge quote

Bluebadge tilers are trained and have worked with all sorts of tiles from ceramic to to marble and our prices are very competitive. If you don't feel like doing the tiles yourself, why not try out a Bluebadge quotation and see if it fits within your budget. Unlike many other companies, we don't change our prices based on where you live, our prices are based on number of hours worked and complexity involved. That's it. So get a free no-obligation quote now!