DIY
HOW TO
With many of us spending more time at home, why not try some DIY jobs that may be bigger than you would usually take on?
T
he great thing about doing it yourself, is the pride you get after finishing the job.
In this guide, we are going to show you how to do two of the largest DIY jobs: one inside and one outside. But remember, always consult a professional if the task at hand goes beyond your capabilities or involves electrics or gas.
TILING A KITCHEN OR BATHROOM
Tiling any room, whether it be a bathroom or kitchen, may seem like a daunting task. However, by following our easy to follow guide, you can have it done in no time…
MATERIALS NEEDED Wall tiles Filler l Tile adhesive l Tile spacers l Grout l Multi-purpose cloths l Tile trim l l
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PROPERTY NEWS
TOOLS
Ruler l Tape measure l Trowel l Tile cutter l Grout float l Spirit level l
Step 1 – Fill any holes in the wall with filler, smooth and leave to dry. Step 2 – Starting from the edge of the wall, and at the lowest row, use tile adhesive to start attaching tiles. Step 3 – Between each tile place a spacer to ensure the gaps between are equal. Step 4 – As you reach the end you may need to cut a tile. Use an electric tile cutter with plenty of water and make sure you measure carefully and cut slowly. Step 5 – Move onto the next row up, again using spacers, and slide any tile trim into place at the end. Make sure to follow any decorative design you are using. Step 6 – If you come to any electrical sockets, measure carefully and cut the tile to shape before applying the tile to the wall.
Step 7 – Leave tiles to dry in situ for 24 hours. Step 8 – Once dry, apply a liberal coating of grout across the tiles, before then using multi-purpose cloths with warm water to wipe away excess grout from the tiles. Step 9 – Thoroughly wash down and polish the tiles to remove any dust and remaining grout and leave to dry.
Always consult a professional if the task at hand goes beyond your capabilities