Newbie tiler - all sorts of queries...

Use the spacers like this, as the tiles set, pull out the spacers and reuse them.

 

Remember to use the spacers the same way, as there can be a very slight difference in the faces.

 

Doing it how Phil suggests also eliminates the occasions where the spacer disappears in between the four corners and manages to slide under a tile before you've quite set it then preventing you from bedding it properly. Grrr.....

 

I use Uniplug' ProSpacer available in 2mm & 4mm version,got mine off Ebay, they aren't so fiddley to work with as the other sort & you can't loose them in the tile.

http://www.suretile.co.uk/product/50-pack-uniplug-tile-spacers-with-a-difference

 

If you're tiling for the first time, planning is everything. Don't tile from the floor or a wall - they are probably not straight. Set a horizontal batten and then tile from that upwards, arranging as far as possible to have equal cuts to the edges and around windows. Once set, remove the batten and tile in the row or two to the floor or worktop. Occasionally you can start from a row of whole tiles, but not as often as you might think! Buy a cheap laser level with crosshairs. Best tool ever for tiling.

DON'T try installing 600x600 tiles as a first tiling project! they are 5x more difficult to install than small tiles. Floors are IMHO generally easier. Don't just tile onto plasterboard in a shower. In a couple of years, the grout will have leaked a bit, the plasterboard will be mush and the tiles will fall off. Either tank and/or use a waterproof tiling board (hardie backer, tile backer).

Bagged adhesive is generally much better for bathrooms than ready mixed.

IMHO The cheapest diamond wheel cutter is much easier to use than the score and snap cutters. Slower, messier, but you don't have that "****" moment when the snap goes wrong. And some tiles (i.e. the ones that are solid material, rather than glazed) are IMO almost impossible to snap.

 

And another thing (I know you shouldn't start a sentence with and but hey). Work out of three boxes of tiles on the go if possible so that any variations in the tile are randomised.

 

I just find those spacers Phil mention fiddley to use, & if clear difficult to see,( old age creeping in) whereas orange ones are highly visable.

 

Reading the instructions??? Whatever next?

 

Nice spacer but not a very good advert on their own page.



What happened to this joint.

 

Bond makes no difference just set them where you like as long as there two per tile side keeping the tile square.

 

Someone has drawn around it with red marker pen. I hope that comes off!.

 

I've never tried it but my gut feel is that this will not work well - would you cut through onto a sacrificial surface? or try cutting an overhang over an edge?. Get a proper diamond wheel tile cutter. I have 2 and the one I use most is a cheap plasplugs with a little 4" thin wheel. If you want fancy cuts I find the easiest way is to cut in several radial cuts and then snap off the little sprigs between. However, you shouldn't be cutting round toilets and basins - lift them and tile under.

 

Hire a proper wet tile cutter for a weeend/week, or buy one, you'll get a far superior cleaner chip free cut.

Even try an advert on your local Freegle/Freecycle for an electric tile cutter, you might be lucky.