DIY tiling advice please

[hipposgobeserk]

Hi everyone
I've had some tiles for a good 9 months lying around waiting to be put up by my husband in my new kitchen (just a splash back). Now 2/3 of my children are in school or pre school I was thinking of doing it myself as I am fairly diy competent, have some more time on my hands now and I am fed up of waiting.
Please could someone point me in the direction of a good clear explanation of how to do it for a complete novice?
TIA

 

[Andy Allen]

What tiles have you got....?
(metros).. 🙂

 

[WetSaw]

What tiles have you got....?
(metros).. 🙂

Beat me to it! I was going to put your name in the frame as our resident metro guru..

 

[hipposgobeserk]

Hi
Yes
It's these (file attached) but I intend to tile them in a standard horizontal half brick way.
Thanks for your replies 🙂

 

[Andy Allen]

OK cool........i would start a full tile from the work surface and try to keep the brick bond wrapping round the corners.
Sockets need to be loosened so you can tile behind them you may need to use extended socket screws to get them back and kill the power to them first.
If you have a hob it always looks best to centre the tiles between it as this is the main focal point.
Use a decent adhesive. Ready mixed is OK for a kitchen... Something like bal blue star or bal white star but use a powder mix grout.
on the window, if there is one, tile the face first then fit the trim and tile the reveals.
What tools do you have?

 

[hipposgobeserk]

I don't have a tile cutter yet if that's what you mean, can you recommend one? It's quite a fiddly area I'd say around the window. Would you suggest leaving the wooden sill or tiling it? I'll put up a photo.. Thank you for your help.

 

[Andy Allen]

Here's some splashbacks I've completed to help you..

 

[Andy Allen]

I don't have a tile cutter yet if that's what you mean, can you recommend one? It's quite a fiddly area I'd say around the window. Would you suggest leaving the wooden sill or tiling it? I'll put up a photo.. Thank you for your help.

View attachment 93548

Would probably leave the wooden cill but tile into the reveals on both sides.
Tools you need...
A tile cutter.... Would go for an electric wet cutter this way you can use it to go round the sockets.
Trowel.. ...6mm
Tile Spacers.. 2mm
Grout squeegee.
Sponge.
Small screwdriver for the sockets.

 

[WetSaw]

Love the new title Andy

 

[Tony73]

Would probably leave the wooden cill but tile into the reveals on both sides.
Tools you need...
A tile cutter.... Would go for an electric wet cutter this way you can use it to go round the sockets.
Trowel.. ...6mm
Tile Spacers.. 2mm
Grout squeegee.
Sponge.
Small screwdriver for the sockets.

spirit level, Makita radio( most important), pencil, pen, masking tape...🙂)

 

[Andy Allen]

Love the new title Andy

Just noticed it......!
Come on.... Own up.... Who did it..?

 

[Tony73]

should be, Metro Champion? 🙂

 

[Dan]

Just noticed it......!
Come on.... Own up.... Who did it..?

Wasn't me lol so that just leaves one other person haha

 

[Andy Allen]

Ummm...... Wonder who that could be..

 

[Old Mod]

Ummm...... Wonder who that could be..

Don't bloody look at me, I've been busy all day. 😱
Not saying I wouldn't have done it if I'd thought if it tho. 😀

Wasn't me lol so that just leaves one other person haha

Yeah one other person, not including the other two, namely @Lou &
slippery Sam himself, @Plan Tec Tiling! 😛

 

[Lou]

Nothing to do with me!

 

[Old Mod]

Nothing to do with me!

*flutters eyelids* 😛

 

[Qwerty]

😳😀

 

[Andy Allen]

Geoffrey...... Do you have something to own up to....??

 

[Qwerty]

T'was I ! Couldn't resist it mate 😀