DIY Home & Garden

Tiles are a great way to decorate a bathroom or kitchen, with a huge variety of colors and designs available to suit all tastes. Many people regard tiling as too difficult a job to do themselves and so get in a professional to do the work. While it`s true that you might encounter the odd problem when tiling, it is actually quite easy to do it yourself. So you can, if you follow these tips, achieve a professional finish and save yourself quite a bit of money at the same time.

Preparation

As with most jobs, if you don`t prepare properly you will run into difficulties later on. The first thing to do is to make sure that the surface you are tiling is clean and dry. If there are any holes or cracks in the wall or floor, then use a filler to even them out. When a wall is in a particularly bad condition it is often advisable to replaster it rather than trying to repair it. Floors need to be solid, flat and even for successful tiling. If they are not, you can pour on a cement-like compound, spread it out evenly and wait for it to dry before you apply the tiles.

Getting Started

Begin by planning the exact layout of your new tiles. Remember that if you are using patterned tiles, you will have to make sure that they match up so that the pattern flows from one tile to the next properly.

Attach the First Tiles

Use a spirit level to draw an exactly horizontal line on the wall. This is important to get right as even a small mistake here will result in an uneven or crooked appearance. Next, attach a wooden batten to the wall so that you can line up the tiles accurately. Start attaching the tiles using the batten as a guide. It`s best to begin in the middle, rather than at either end. The same rule applies when tiling a floor – don`t start at the edge. You can use tile spacers to get an exact fit.

Applying Grout and Adhesive

Remember to use a proper grooved adhesive spreader – you want to end up with ridges of adhesive on the wall or floor that you can stick the tiles on to. If there is any extra adhesive around the edges of the tile when you have pushed it on, make sure that you rub it off quickly. It you don`t you will be left with a more difficult job getting it off later, when it has dried and hardened. When you`re applying the tile, line it up carefully so that it matches the others perfectly.

Before applying grout, wait until the adhesive you have used is completely dry. You can use a grouting float to get the grout into gaps between the tiles. Any excess grout must be rubbed or wiped off quickly, before it dries. To get the grout smooth and even, run your finger down each line after you have applied the grout. You may also find that you need to clean the tiles after the grout is dry, to get rid of any stains.

Cutting Tiles

There are various tools available for cutting tiles and which one you need to use will depend on the type and size of the tiles you are using. The most basic is the tile scriber but for heavier or more difficult tiles you could use a flat-bed cutter or an electric saw. If you are cutting away a very small part to a tile, use a pair of tile pincers.

One final thing to remember when tiling: the new tiles need to match the shelves, cabinets and other items in the room. You should also make sure that any fixtures, fittings and screws don`t clash with your new tiles.

Tags: Walls by webmaster
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By Albert Bruce

Home improvement return is not always monetary, but also shows in a quality structure and living environment for you and your family which benefits you for the years you spend there. This is the biggest intangible return that is taken for granted that needs to be considered. If you put money and effort into your home, you want to be able to enjoy it at least for awhile.

After paying on a home year after year you expect some sort of return at some point, it may even be your children or others that benefit after you are gone. At the time of this writing, one wonders if values will ever return, but I am figuring at some point they will. Maybe you were hoping to move elsewhere and now you’ve got to sit tight. You have realized you need to work with what you got.

Irregardless of you home’s age, at some point you need to keep the place together, If you let things go, you’ve got to get to them before problems get bigger. As I have mentioned in other articles and it is a basic to remember, water is a home’s biggest enemy, especially exterior roof runoff and drainage, along with siding, trim and keeping it caulked and painted. Keep this up.

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By Sarah Hampton

Imagine a house, a dream house, the one with big rooms and wonderful accents. The living room is perfect, the kitchen is magnificent, the dining room is sublime. Details of the house are superb. Imagine a house with all the amazing designs and fine quality materials. Then someone in your home had the need of a bathroom, but there was none! You can see how important a bathroom is at that point. In fact, it is an integral part of the house.

Most people today consider the bathroom to must have a very good atmosphere. The size of the bathroom however depends on the size of the house. It is somehow parallel. When you have a big house, you can spare a big room for the bathroom. Otherwise, when your house is not that big, then your bathroom follows to have a limited space. This is what we call balance and proportion.

Families have a tendency to grow. When the couple first started, everything seems to be spacious and large. When the kids came and grew (parents always say they grow fast) everything would seem to shrink, even the bathroom. Renovating the whole house for the sake of the bathroom would be impractical. If you renovate the bathroom, it would sometimes also be difficult not to affect another part of your house. This is costly and sometimes impractical.

To solve this problem, one just have to do some initiatives. Adjustments can be made. For example, changing the color of your bathroom will help create the impression that the room grew bigger. It will give your bathroom an illusion of more space. There are many more ways to help your space up your bathroom, just like using wall mount bathroom sinks.

One way would be changing your space consuming sinks to space saving wall mount bathroom sinks. Not only will it create an illusion of a bigger bathroom, but it will also help maximize the space you have. Moreover, it will help in making your bathroom more organized and neat.

Apartments and condominiums often use these wall mount bathroom sinks due to space limitations. They are also very attractive to look at therefore add to the beauty of the room. There are many wall mount bathroom sinks out on the market; however, the best choice would be the stone sinks. Stone sinks can match any color suitable for your bathroom. Again, colors can either make your bathroom look big or small.

One variety for wall mount bathroom sinks are stone sinks. These come in different sizes and shapes. They also have different and pretty designs. They are better compared to brass, stainless steels and other types of sink since the neutrality of the stone sinks can match any color of your bathroom.

Let’s admit it, you really cannot add space to your bathroom especially if your house is limited on space without going through extensive renovations. But what you can do is get that illusion of space. This is why people often prefer wall mount bathroom sinks over any other varieties available.

Sarah Hampton has worked in interior design for ten years, decorating houses in California, Nevada, and Virginia. She enjoys the details of using the perfect fixtures to finish off the look of a residence. Her advice on topics such as wall mount bathroom sinks and stone sinks has been appreciated all over the country. To find out more information, please visit signaturehardware.com.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Adding-Space-to-Your-Bathroom/1172549

Tags: Bathrooms by webmaster
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By Rob Ferrall

If you live in an area with variable weather, or just have a high-traffic home, it can leave your tile and grout looking dirty, faded and dull over time. Normal scrubbing and wiping are not enough to penetrate the ground in dirt that clings to grout. Unsealed, or untreated, tile and grout needs to be deep cleaned on a regular basis to maintain a fresh appearance. Here are a few ways you can clean your home’s tile and grout.

Cleaning Bathroom Tile and Grout

Use a large sponge to wipe down the tile surface with warm water. Dip a stiff bristled toothbrush into the water and scrub the grout. This will remove any loose debris and dirt. Mix ½ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water. Smear the pasty mixture onto the grout and let it set for a few minutes. Begin scrubbing the grout vigorously with the toothbrush. Use a circular motion to drive the dirt out from the tiny crevices and indents in the grout. Rinse well with clear warm water and give the surface an hour to dry.

Cleaning Kitchen Backsplash Tile and Grout

Kitchen backsplash tile and grout is renowned for harboring minute amounts of cooking grease and oils that attract dirt and dust. Grease removal is a necessary step in cleaning. Mix ½ cup of a liquid dishwashing liquid to one bucket of warm water. Scrub the backsplash wall with a soft scrub sponge soaked in the detergent mix. Allow the soapy water 10 to 15 minutes to soak the grease loose. Mix ½ cup of oxygen bleach power with a bucket of warm water. Scrub the grout and tile with the mixture and rinse with plain water.

Cleaning Floor Tile and Grout

Floor tile and grout will typically be the toughest areas to clean. Sweep the floor with a broom to remove all loose dirt. Divide the floor into small sections and damp mop one section at a time. Scrub the grout with a small stiff cleaning brush and warm water. Mix ½ cup of oxygen bleach powder into a bucket of warm water. Use the small brush to scrub the floor grout and tile. Continue using a circular scrubbing motion to release the dirt and grime that burrows into the grout. Wear safety glasses to avoid splashing the cleaner into your eyes.

Making the Job Easier

Cleaning tile and grout is a physically demanding job, and for some people, it can quickly become overwhelming. When cleaning, you should take frequent breaks to minimize the possibility of back or other muscle strain. If you want to make future cleanings easier, consider hiring a professional cleaning company to come in and clean your tile and grout for you. Professionals with professional-grade tools can oftentimes do a better job on your tile floors and countertops, and some companies will apply a sealant to your grout, which will make future cleanings for you as simple as running a damp mop or cloth over your tile floors and counters.

Saniglow provides professional cleaning services to Howell, Brighton, Fowlerville, and all of Livingston County, Michigan. Read about their tile and grout cleaning services and carpet cleaning services in Pinckney on their website.

Article Source: How to Clean Tile Floors and Grout

Tags: Home Maintenance by webmaster
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