Tiling your bathroom

HOW DO I GET READY FOR TILING? First you need to get your old surface out of the way so you can install your backing and your tiles. Remove old carpet and strips and get rid of the staples or glue. Remove the sheet vinyl along with its underlay if at all possible.

Remove the plumbing such as the commode and pedestal sink. Remove the trim and tub and shower spouts from the walls to be tiled.

CAN I TILE OVER MY OLD TILES? Yes, you can. Just make sure it is in sound condition and use one of the super modified thin set mortars for the job. If the tile are starting to fall off or coming loose, remove them and start new.

CAN I TILE OVER PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD? I know you see tiling over wood shown on TV, however, I do not recommend it. Most of the repairs I have done were because of tiling directly over a wood surface. A cement backer board properly installed will be a more permanent installation.

CAN I TILE OVER A CRACKED CONCRETE SLAB? Yes, however, you need to first treat the cracked area with an isolation membrane. Several are available to the tile stores and not all are real easy to use. Ultra Set is a gel that can be trowelled over the crack and about 6 inches on each side of it. This material is also water proof and it can be used to actually set the tile rather than thinset mortar.

CAN I TILE OVER MY VINYL OR LINOLEUM FLOORING? It is best to  remove the vinyl flooring if at all possible along with its underlay if it has one. Some sheet vinyl flooring is only glued around the edges and at the seams. If you tile directly over that material, your entire floor will be loose. A layer of cement board should be used either in place of or over the vinyl flooring. If the vinyl is over a concrete slab, however, and it isn't possible to remove the it, you may tile directly over it using one of the super modified thinset mortars made for this kind of application.

CAN I TILE OVER LAMINATE COUNTER TOPS? Yes, you can tile directly over laminates as long as it is not loose. I don't recommend tiling over the 'self edge' however, because I find that narrow strip on the edge likes to come off.  I guess it wouldn't hold tiles very well.  Use one of the Super modified thinsets for over laminates.

HOW DO I REMOVE THE TILE AROUND MY SHOWER OR BATH TUB AREA? If the tiles are coming loose because of the material behind it decomposing, you should cut the wall board just outside of the tile line and remove all of the tile along with its backing right down to the studs. Once it is clean install the cement backer board.

HOW DO I MAKE THE PROPER SELECTION OF TILES? Tiles come in many different forms and compositions and it is a good idea to use the harder tile where lots of wear may occur. Porcelain tiles can be either coloured the same all the way through or glazed with your favourite colours. These tiles are incredibly hard and are used in the mall as the main walking surface. They will work very well for floors, counters and walls in your home. Usually they come in large sizes, so finding a design may be difficult. The more decorative tiles are usually softer and have a brighter glaze and are great for walls and back splashes but not good for floors. The marble, granite, slate, and sandstone tiles are also great for floors and can be used on walls, counters and back splashes. Check with your tile sales person for the best choice for your application.

HOW DO I MEASURE SO I BUY THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TILES? First, measure length and width of the area to be tiled and multiply one by the other. Next, add at least 10 % to that total. It may be a good idea to bring the measurement to the tile store and let the sales person help with the total needed so waste can be included. Plan on having tile left over rather than running short.

HOW DO I LAY OUT SO THE TILES LOOK GREAT WHEN I'M DONE WITH MY TILE PROJECT? Measure to find the centre of the room or wall. Lay your tiles without thinset or glue from the centre line to the edge of the area. Include the joint size, and find the distance from the last whole tile to fit to the edge. If that piece is ½ the width of a tile or more, you can do your lay out from that centre line. If it is less than ½ of a tile, move the centre line over so that the old centre line lines up with the centre of a tile. You have just moved the starting point over ½ the width of the tile so now you will have a larger than half tile at the edges.