Laying wall tiles

Ceramic tiles have been a permanent feature of kitchens, toilets, bathrooms and showers for many centuries. Despite the emergence of many modern materials, the use of glazed ceramic tiles is still the most practical way to create a beautiful, easy-to-clean, wear-resistant and water-repellent surface on the wall..

In recent years, more and more people are striving to decorate their home with their own hands. To meet them halfway, manufacturers and suppliers offer materials and tools intended for hobbyists, not professionals, which makes the job much easier. However, tiling work is not as easy as it might seem at first glance, and certain skills and skills are required to achieve professional quality of work. This does not mean that an amateur will not be able to lay the tiles well, but this requires attention and patience, as well as a clear understanding of what and why you are doing. If you use this article and work carefully and patiently, nothing will stop you from achieving excellent results..

Ideas and options

Wall cladding with ceramic tiles is not only purely utilitarian, but also allows for stunning decorative effects. Apart from the usual ceramic tiles, there are also marble and mosaic tiles. When choosing a color scheme, pattern and cladding scheme, take your time: tiles are not only the most expensive of finishing materials, they are also the most difficult to replace if something doesn’t suit you. When in doubt, choose something simpler that will create a neutral background..

Postpone making the final decision for a week or two and think again.
Remember: when the tile is on the wall, you have to live with it.

Classic style – white plumbing and white tiles will never go out of style. However, a large white space looks cold, some attention-grabbing details need to be added. At the height of the chest, a connecting groove can be formed from a special tile with a pattern (such a groove and a special tile are called dado). Below the dado, the tiles are laid horizontally, and above them diagonally, and the diamond pattern enhances the impression of elegance.

To enhance the decorative effect at the floor level and a little before reaching the ceiling, you can start up borders from tiles of a contrasting color, for example, dark blue. By combining the colors of tiles, fixtures and fittings, you can give your bathroom a classic look. Regardless of the style chosen, it is important to remember that for facing large areas, for example a whole wall or an entire room, it is better to use large tiles: this allows you to visually increase the size of the room.

Black and white. The contrast between black and white tiles has a dramatic effect in both kitchens and bathrooms. Large areas of black tiles, especially when combined with shiny chrome fittings, enhance the luxury impression. In small bathrooms and bathroom units, large areas of black tiles can be used to highlight different functional areas, such as a toilet backdrop.

Country style. Old-fashioned plumbing fixtures work best with soft, unobtrusive tones. By choosing the appropriate color, you can achieve an impression of harmony and softness. It is not necessary to tile the full height of the bathroom. Cladding only the bottom of the wall to a height sufficient to protect it from splashes reduces the cost of the work. In this case, start the wall layout from the dado line so that the topmost row consists of whole tiles. If the floor is not completely level, mark the dado line so that the last row is one to two thirds the height of the tile..

Training

Before performing any tiling work, prepare a secure and flat surface. The tiles can be laid over various types of wall coverings: plaster, drywall, cement spray, plywood, paint, even over old ceramic tiles. However, the surface must be dry, clean and firm to successfully complete tiling. Tiles can be laid directly on top of glossy or emulsion paint, as long as the paint itself and the plaster underneath are strong and free from defects. In this case, a minimum of preparatory work is required. Old glue paint will have to be removed completely.

Rinse it off with water and seal the surface with a stabilizing solution such as polyvinyl acetate sealant. Old wallpaper must also be completely stripped off. Allow the wall to dry completely before proceeding. If the old ceramic tiles are firmly attached to the wall and the surface is sufficiently flat, new tiles can be laid directly on top of the old ones. If possible, position new tiles so that they overlap the joints of the old masonry. It is recommended to sand the surface of the old tile with a silicon carbide sandpaper. This will give the new tile better adhesion to the wall. Broken or loose old tiles should be gently pushed back and filled with cement or plaster, flush with the rest of the surface. The places of the dropped out old tiles are also treated. Remember that new tiles must be laid on a completely dry and clean surface..

Sealing cracks and holes

The surface on which the tiles are laid must be flat. Although the bonding material can fill up wall cavities up to 6 mm deep, any significant irregularities will greatly affect the quality of the work. It is a good idea to check the evenness of the wall in all directions with a long wooden ruler..

Small bumps can be knocked down with a hammer and the remaining indentations can be filled. The depressions can also be filled or deepened and plastered. If the wall is very uneven, it is worth applying a thin layer of fresh plaster or even covering the wall with drywall. Small cracks in the plaster are okay, but large ones need to be repaired. Lagging plaster must be knocked down and putty or plaster on these areas.

Sheathing of pipes and baths

Pipes running along the walls must be hidden wherever possible, sheathed with plywood, drywall or other suitable material. A rigid framework is required to prevent cracking of the cement between tiles, so use screws instead of nails. Hot water pipes must be insulated, otherwise the wood will warp, which will lead to cracking of the cement. All wood surfaces must be treated with a sealant prior to tiling. Use countersunk screws to fix the panels, otherwise the surface will be uneven.

Covers for pipes. Attach two 25mm wide wooden planks to the wall (s). Cut the panels out of 19mm plywood and assemble the cover with screws. Screw the cover onto the strips. Select the size of the casing and the position of the planks so that you do not have to cut tiles during cladding.

Bath tub. Make a wooden frame from 50/25 mm planks and screw it to the floor and walls. The height of the frame should allow the tiles to be laid flush or under the edge of the tub. Plywood the frame with 12 mm plywood. Don’t forget to make a door to access the weir.

N. ALEKSEEV