Tiles made from versatile materials like ceramic, stone, or porcelain are the most readily available solution to upgrade the look of any space. However, to install them if you always need to hire professionals the job becomes expensive and time-consuming. For many years, it was a specialized forte, where only a few with appropriate training were able to do tile installation. Now, the perception has changed. Specialized tools and supplies required for tile installation work are available online and in many retail stores.
Even the chains of retail stores selling these tiling supplies think that most customers are homeowners. Tiles not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of a place but are also durable and water-resistant. Therefore, these are great choices for kitchens, entryways, offices, bathrooms, and other locations in the house where water-resistant surfaces are required. Once you have the right set of tools and would like to bring in some changes by changing a few tiles or installing some new ones, you may try a hand at it.
Tools that you need for the tiling job
You don’t have to purchase a lot of complicated and expensive tools for the tiling work. Here is a list of tools that may help with your project
Tile cutting tools
To precisely cut ceramic, glass, or porcelain tiles with ease, a tile cutter or snap cutter is essential. With it, you can achieve a clean and accurate result. The price of a tile cutter significantly depends on the type of cutting wheels used in it. Some have hard steel cutting wheels; others have carbide wheels. The carbide ones are expensive but last for a longer duration. There are certain other elements for which the price may vary. The choice depends upon your usage and the kind of project you will undertake.
Wet saws are expensive options but essential if you have plans to work with thick tiles and shape curves from the tiles. When used skillfully and with patience, a smooth and regular finish is possible to achieve. The wet saw utilizes water to lubricate and cool down the cutting blade during the tile-shaping process. The blade made of diamond or other abrasive material rotates through a water reservoir, that prevents overheating and too much dust. If you do not have plans to use the wet saw for a large project, you may think of taking this tool on rent. Many tile suppliers provide wet saws on rent to their customers.
The blades used in the wet saws are called diamond blades. However, real diamonds are not used for making these blades. Synthetic diamond particles are embedded in the sharp cutting edges of the blade. It is used for cutting various types of tiles.
Nippers are another important tile-cutting tool. Nippers are used to cut away thin strips from the side of the tiles. Sometimes to cut away the cured or irregular edges, nippers are utilized. These are available in different sizes and a basic pair will do the job well.
Tile setting tools
When we talk about tile-setting tools, the notched trowel is crucial. This tool has a flat rectangular blade with a wooden handle affixed to the center of one side. The edges of the blades of the tool are serrated in different profiles. These are used to spread adhesive over walls or floors before the tiles are laid on them. Some trowels come in different size notches, some may be triangular and others square. How thick or thin the layer of adhesive you need to apply depends on the size of the notches. It is possible to buy notched trowels online. But before you purchase one, you should read the specifications of the tile manufacturer provided in the description of notched trowels for sale.
After setting the tiles over the adhesive and resting for 24 hours, it is important to check whether any gap is left between the tiles. It is important to fill up those gaps between the tiles. A sponge can be used for this grouting job, but the work becomes a lot easier if you have a grout float. This tool looks similar to notched trowels. The body of the float is made of wood and the working surface of rubber.
The style and décor of a room depends on the finish. If the tile setting is uneven it will appear as an amateur job. An uneven underlayer can result in lippage. Lippage on floor tiles creates safety hazards and cleaning problems. So, to achieve a uniform height during the installation of tiles, you will need a leveling tool.
A few basic tools like measuring tape, chalk boxes, levels, or some premises should be kept handy. All of these basic tools along with the specialized ones are available online. With the appropriate set of tools and accessories, it is possible to complete the tiling job even if you are a novice. Only you need planning, patience, and adequate time to do the job neatly and properly.
