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What to Expect with Your Tiling Project |
 A tile installation is an exciting project because of
how much it allows the homeowner to be creative and add a personal touch to the
job at hand. Watching your vision take shape will help level some of the sting
of what you'll have to put up with during the installation phases. However,
whether your tile project is a new floor, countertop, bathroom or other
project, knowing ahead of time what to expect while your tile installation is
in progress makes a world of difference in being able to weather the
inconveniences that are part of this process.
General Advice
A tiling project is the same
as any other major home improvement project in that you'll need to resign
yourself to the dirt, dust, and noise that comes along with it. Laying tile
entails tearing up the previous flooring; sanding down and shoring up the
substrate when necessary; the application of mortar and grout during later
phases of installation; and the use of power tools along the way. Remember that
while nobody enjoys these inconveniences in their immediate living space, they
are necessary steps towards a beautiful and long lasting tiling project
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Flooring
If your project involves
laying tile as flooring material there's some specific things you'll want to
prepare for. First and foremost is the fact that the space being tiled will be
off limits to you for the duration of the project, but especially during the
time immediately after the tiles are laid and the grout is applied. Plan to
stay off of the floor for at least 48 hours after the tiles are laid to be sure
the mortar has dried and set. Walking on a newly tiled floor before it has
cured is good way to ensure you'll be contacting a tile repairman for his
services not too far down the road. That being the case, it's especially
important when tiling a floor (though it's a sound rule for any tiling project)
that you make sure the newly tiled area is off limits to children and pets
until that critical curing time has passed. |
Countertops, Showers and
Baths
Since you don't typically
walk on these surfaces, there is less of a risk of damaging them after
installation. Still, all the same rules apply when it comes to leaving them
alone until the mortar dries and the grout is set. Additionally, because of the
added risk of damage that comes along with these projects' proximity to water,
it's important that you refrain from running any source of water until you are
sure everything is dry and has been given a green light. If your mortar gets
wet before it cures, it will increase the drying time, delaying the project and
increasing the likelihood of cracking or other damage to your tiles later on.
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A Final Note on Kitchens
and Bathrooms
Because many tiling projects
impact these two important areas of your home, and because the nature of tile
installation requires you to keep off or away from the project until it's
completely set, it's important that you expect, and plan for, not having access
to these important areas of your home. If you only have one bath in your house
you might consider taking a short vacation or staying in a motel for a few
nights until the project is finished. For kitchens, you'll want to anticipate
when the area is off limits and plan to eat out or order pizzas for a few days
until the tile is ready to be used. |
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