The most common mistakes when laying tiles

Tiles are among the most popular floor coverings. For this reason, they are now used not only in kitchens and bathrooms, but also in other areas of the house. Their simple and modern design subtly enhances the appearance of a room or the entire house.

But beware. Laying tiles is often underestimated and many mistakes can happen. Some become apparent immediately, while others may only appear after years and cause fatal damage. Today we would like to list the most common and biggest mistakes when laying tiles.

Tile adhesive

Tile adhesive is often mixed too thin, as it is then easier to spread. However, this causes the tiles to slip and frequent corrections are necessary, which significantly worsens the overall appearance afterwards. The packaging always shows a mixing ratio of adhesive to water. We recommend using the lower value. Similarly, failure to observe the drying time can also cause problems, so always follow the instructions precisely.

The right preparation

The preparatory work is sloppy or poorly executed. It's often considered unimportant and only done as an afterthought, but a good substrate is the foundation for a beautiful tiled wall. You need a level, even, and firm surface. Without it, your tiles won't last long. Tiles will sag and cracks can appear in some places. Sloppy preparatory work is recognizable by raised tile edges, resulting in an uneven overall appearance. It's better to check your work with a spirit level and to smooth the substrate cleanly, evenly, and without edges using filler.

Cutting tiles

Tiles are cut poorly or not at all. Besides good tiles, the right tools are equally important. Without the right tools, tiles are difficult to work with. High-quality tools should be used to ensure that the tiles do not break. Too many broken tiles will become expensive in the long run. Mark the tile with a pencil before cutting and make the cut with slow, even pressure. A poor or wrong (e.g., too small) tile cutter will result in a poorly cut tile and therefore an untidy end result. It's better to rent or buy a professional tool than to later have problems with an untidy tiled surface.

The right selection of tools

Incorrect trowel size. The size of your trowel must match the size of the tile. The larger the tile, the deeper the thin-set mortar must be. To achieve this deeper consistency, you need a trowel with deep notches, which allows for adjustment during laying. Pay close attention to what you buy during the preparation phase. If you want to lay larger tiles, you need a thin-set mortar suitable for "large format".

Arrangement of the tiles

Incorrect tile layout. Good preparation is essential. Even when laying tiles, you should plan properly beforehand. Starting over is not possible when tiling. Therefore, take your time to take the correct measurements and then check them. It is often even useful to lay out the tiles to see how they fit best. This prevents having to correct incorrectly measured tiles at the end with small strips of tile. A symmetrical arrangement, starting in the middle, looks very harmonious.

Notes:

In general, the generally accepted rules of technology must be observed!

For all products/materials: The suitability for mechanical and chemical stress must be carefully checked in each individual case before laying the mat. Protect material from prolonged exposure to sunlight.

If you should have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

Best of luck with laying the tiles!

the team from alleszumfliesen.de