There is nothing more satisfying than a job well done, but where to start? Whilst we can’t be there looking over your shoulder our DIY guide will assist you to get the job done. Remember take your time and plan the job prior to commencing, the finished job relies solely on the planning.

• Use as many full tiles as possible, try to minimize the number of cut tiles.
• Cut tiles should be located away from the focal points of the eye, such as in an entryway or at the front of a countertop.
• Avoid small or narrow cuts. Try not to cut a tile less than 1/2 its original size if at all possible.

ADHESIVE CHOICE

• To choose the correct adhesive for your tiling installation, use Davco or Ultimate Tiles branded adhesive. Consult your nearest Ultimate Tiles store to obtain assistance with adhesive choice and advice.

• All surfaces must be structurally sound, dry, clean and free from movement, oil, grease, wax, curing compounds and any other loose or contaminating materials.
• Porous surfaces must initially be primed using Davco Ultraprime.

• Plan to keep all cut tiles at the bottom of the wall. All full tiles are placed at higher elevations to be more pleasing to the eye.
• Level Base: It is important to select a level base when tiling. Use a spirit level to determine the lowest point along the bottom of the wall. Place a single tile at this spot and mark the wall just above it. Nail a horizontal batten at this
  point with the straight edge at the top.
• True Vertical: At the centre of the wall to be tiled, establish a true vertical line with the aid of a plumb bob or spirirt level and mark it on the wall.
• Place a row of tiles against the horizontal batten and make any necessary adjustments so that equal cuts in the tiles are made at the edges of the wall.
• The plumb line should then be repositioned at the centre. Start tiling from the centre ensuring that the tiles are positioned correctly.

• There are many methods of setting out floor tiles. Please consult your tile retailer for the best method to suit your application.
• The most accepted method is to use full tiles from the longest, straightest wall, establishing an adjacent wall to be square.
• Loose laying of tiles in conjunction with chalk lines or straight edges will allow you to install your tiles with a minimum amount of cutting.
• Complete the section up to the nearest full tile. Leave all cuts to last.
  
  Fixing
• Using a notched trowel spread approx 1m2 of adhesive on the wall in a horizontal direction.
  Step - By - Step Guide
• Press the dry tiles into the ribs of the adhesive before it skins, ensuring the whole back of the tile is in good contact with the adhesive (80% of the tile must be in contact with the adhesive).
• Most tiles require spacing. Your tile retailer can advise you on a complete range of tile spacers. Leave the horizontal batten in place until the adhesive has set.
• Cut corner tiles to fit leaving a minimum 4mm expansion joint.
  Note: Flexible edging strips are available to be used as a functional border on any exposed edges.
  
  Cutting the Tiles
• Cut tiles must always be positioned last.
• To establish the cutting line, place the tile face down, in position, up against the wall and mark the tile in line with the already laid tiles. Remember to allow a gap for grouting.
• To cut the tile, use a tile cutting machine, which can be bought or hired from your local tile retailer.
• To cut half circles, scratch the shape on the glaze with a screw driver and nip off small pieces with a sharp pair of tile nippers until the correct fit is achieved. Hold the tile as close as possible to where the cut is being made.
• Smooth off sharp edges with a round file or sanding block.
• For cutting and shaping tiles to power points, taps and other fittings use equipment such as scribers, tile cutting machines, rod saws and rotary tile cutters. For larger jobs, manually operated tile cutting machines can be hired.
  
  Expansion Joints
  Movement joints should be provided as follows:
  1. Over movement joints in the background.
  2. At a junction between different background materials.
  3. At fixtures interrupting the tile surface e.g. columns.
  4. At internal vertical corners.
  5. Around the perimeter of the tiling system.
  6. At a maximum of 5 metre intervals in a grid pattern.
  Note: Movement joints should go right through the tile adhesive bed to the background and be kept free from dirt and adhesive droppings. Movement joints must not be less than 6mm nor greater than 10mm wide. All movement joints that are 6mm wide can be filled with Davco Sanitized® Colorcaulk. For wider applications use Davco Davsil or polysulphide and polyurethane type fillers.

• Wait until the adhesive has set (usually 24hours), before grouting. Use Davco Sanitized® Colorgrout, Sanitized® Superfine White Grout (walls only) or Slate & Quarry Grout (floors only) to achieve the best result; Davco has a range of fashion accented colours to enhance your tile selection.
• Mix the grout with water or 4 in 1 Grout Additive until it becomes the same consistency as toothpaste.
• With a rubber squeegee or grout float, work the mixture thoroughly into all joints in a diagonal motion.
• Wash off excess grout with a damp soft sponge. The small amount of grout left on the tiles should be left until the joints are dry, then wiped off with a dry cloth. Polish off the tile with the dry cloth to give a gleaming finish.

Tools