What needs to be done before cladding? Preparing different surfaces for laying tiles

Although it may seem like a small step, preparing your surfaces before laying tiles is essential to ensure the success of your tiling project. Regardless of whether you’re working on floors or walls, the preparation phase lays the groundwork for a polished and long-lasting finish.

It’s crucial to thoroughly clean the surface first. Grease, dust, and dirt can hinder tiles from adhering correctly. To ensure it’s spotless, you might need to scrub it or even use a specific cleaner, depending on the surface.

Next, look for any imperfections or damage. It is necessary to level or fix any holes, cracks, or uneven spots. By doing this, you can prevent future problems like uneven tiles and peeling grout.

Last but not least, make sure the surface is dry and moisture-free. Prior to beginning your tiling project, make sure everything is completely dry as tiles require a stable, dry base to adhere to.

These steps will help you lay a strong foundation for your tiles, which will produce a stunning and durable finish.

How to prepare different types of bases?

Cladding can be produced on a variety of bases thanks to modern construction technologies:

  • vertical;
  • horizontal;
  • brick;
  • wooden;
  • concrete and so on.

Vertical

Vertical surfaces must be prepared, and their evenness must be verified by hanging. The wall can be leveled using cement mortar along a reinforcing mesh that is fastened with dowels when the deviation is less than 1.5 cm. Small imperfections can be puttied or chopped down.

A soda ash solution can be used to get rid of any oil stains that may be present on the wall. It is advised to make tiny grooves on the surface after cleaning it. Simply brush over these grooves with a standard brush that has been dipped in water to remove dust.

Wooden

Wood surfaces call for an alternative method. They are first given antiseptic treatment. Tiny wooden blocks, each measuring 2 to 2.5 cm in thickness, are packed 10 cm apart. When wood warps, an air layer is created to shield the facing material from harm.

Additionally, the bars are cleaned with an antiseptic. There is waterproofing material affixed to them. Fixed to the waterproofing is a fine-mesh reinforcing mesh. It is covered with a cement-sand mixture that has asbestos added to it.

The surface is covered with mortar made of sand and cement or lime after it has dried. The plaster layer’s total thickness should not be more than two centimeters.

It is not permitted to finish newly cut surfaces before a year has passed, or until the wood has stopped shrinking.

Horizontal

Such a cladding base needs to be strong, clean, level, and free of cracks. The surface is first thoroughly swept after being cleared of debris and solution droplets using a steel scraper. Using a rack, the base’s evenness is examined. Bulges are removed or chopped down, and all tiny holes and cracks are filled in with cement mortar.

Hydrochloric acid diluted to a three percent solution is used to remove oil stains. This portion of the base is excavated and filled with new cement composition if that doesn’t help.

Mark the upper surface of the floor after cleaning it. The technology states that floors are laid in relation to design marks, which are indicated with a level. The completed floor markings are moved to each room and marked with a solid horizontal line around the room’s perimeter on the walls using a level ruler. Installing beacons is made possible by the existence of such a tag.

Concrete

The plane needs to be precisely aligned before concrete is laid. Cement mortar eliminates vertical surface deviations up to 1 centimeter without the need for additional grouting.

A cement mixture applied to a fine-mesh metal mesh levels out large deviations. Small protrusions with dots are removed. Three percent hydrochloric acid or a five percent soda ash solution can be used to remove grease stains.

It is possible to create tiny notches on the concrete surface to improve the base’s adherence to the facing material. They are dusted off using a brush dipped in water.

Brick

It is necessary to lay the brick base "in a hollow" for the cladding. If not, 1.5 cm of cement cleaning must be done around the seams. All protruding parts are cut off and the surface is adjusted using a solution after being checked with a plumb line and a rule.

A hammer must be used to tap the brick in order to prepare it for cladding. This is required to distinguish between low-quality and damaged bricks.

Cracks are sealed with cement in the areas where flaws were discovered, and the brick is removed. Water is used to wash away mortar and dirt drips. A lime-gypsum mixture plaster must be applied to the brick base if the cladding is to be installed over mastic.

Technique for performing work

Technology for cladding base preparation:

  • cleaning the base;
  • detection of defects over the entire area;
  • removal of bulges;
  • sealing small holes and cracks with cement mortar;
  • notching small grooves and cleaning them from dust;
  • installation of stamps and beacons;
  • alignment with reinforcing mesh (if necessary).

Applying the cement-sand mortar requires the use of a plaster trowel, scoop, or finishing ladle.

Although using a float to level the composition is advised, there’s no need to rub it in because the rough top layer will help the cladding adhere better to the base.

Materials and tools

To confront work, you will require:

  • a flexible level with which horizontal marks are checked, transferred and fixed;
  • a wooden strip (length – at least 2 meters) to determine unevenness;
  • durable cord for fixing a horizontal plumb line;
  • container for mixing (most mastics and cement-based mortar set quickly, so it is best to take a small container);
  • diamond glass cutter or tile cutter;
  • tape measure for measurements;
  • a small hammer or hatchet for making notches;
  • ruler-level for checking the horizontality of the beacons;
  • steel triangle for checking right angles;
  • tools for applying and leveling cement mixture;
  • metal crosses (pins) for setting the thickness of the seams;
  • wooden block;
  • rubber spatula;
  • rags;
  • fasteners measuring 3×50 mm, 3×60 mm for securing cords and sags.

You must be mindful of the cladding material—tiles—when beginning the cladding process. There are several kinds in use:

  • ceramic;
  • glass;
  • polystyrene;
  • plastic;
  • mineral;
  • from natural stone.

The features of the bathroom that will be tiled must be considered when choosing tiles.

  1. Ceramic tile – comfortable, practical facing material. It is produced from a mixture of clay, sand and other natural ingredients, followed by firing in a furnace at a very high temperature. It is suitable for all types of surfaces.
  2. Glass tiles made from glass production waste using special technology using special additives. Suitable for indoor wall decoration.
  3. Polystyrene tiles – a lightweight, durable material made from thermoplastic polymer materials with the addition of gypsum, talc or chalk. To make colored tiles, organic dyes are added to the mixture; to eliminate transparency, mufflers are added. Most often used for cladding interior walls.
  4. Plastic tiles – facing material based on polymer compounds (for example, vinyl, etc.).). Used for interior decoration of walls and ceilings.
  5. Mineral made from minerals, therefore it has high fire resistance and sound absorption. Used for interior decoration of rooms in which air humidity is no more than 70 °C.
  6. Facing tiles made of natural stone most often used for interior wall decoration. This material is obtained by sawing pieces of sedimentary or rocks with further grinding and polishing. The characteristics of this finishing material depend on the characteristics of the rock from which it is made.
  7. Granite has a granular-crystalline structure. Granite is low-porous, which gives the material low water absorption, increasing the durability and frost resistance of the material. Therefore, such cladding can be used even for outdoor work.
  8. Marble also has a granular-crystalline structure. This material can be easily sawed, ground, polished. It has white, gray, red, yellow, pink and black colors, can be with or without a vein pattern. And increased moisture resistance makes marble an ideal material for finishing bathrooms.

Expert advice

Doing the cladding yourself is simple. Professional guidance:

  1. If during finishing it is not possible to lay a whole number of tiles in a row, then in the corners the excess is cut off with a tile cutter, diamond glass cutter or grinder. The fragments that remain can later be laid out in the corners or covered with a shelving unit or cabinet.
  2. Finishing work needs to be carefully planned, because good facing tiles are expensive. You need to buy material with a reserve of at least 10% of the total quantity for trimming.
  3. Textured requires docking and adjustment. Its quantity needs to be increased by 15–20% of the total volume.
  4. If you need to make holes when finishing, it is best to use a crown or a ballerina. Just don’t press hard on the fragment. This will help prevent the glaze from chipping, and the edges of the hole will be smooth.

If the base was not properly prepared from the start, then no amount of expensive facing materials can guarantee the strength and longevity of the coating.

It is necessary to carry out a complex series of straightforward tasks, including clearing the base of all debris, dust, oil stains, and other materials that might hinder the glue’s adhesion, getting rid of any imperfections, and adding strength. The apartment owner will then be happy with the outcome for a very long time.

Surface Type Preparation Steps
Concrete Clean the surface and ensure it"s dry. Repair any cracks and apply a primer if needed.
Wood Ensure it"s clean and dry. Sand the surface to make it smooth and apply a suitable primer.
Drywall Fill any holes or dents with joint compound. Sand the surface smooth and apply a primer.
Tile Clean the existing tiles and remove any loose grout. Apply a suitable adhesive before laying new tiles.

To ensure a successful and long-lasting installation, prepare your surfaces before laying tiles. Every surface type, whether it’s wood, concrete, or drywall, has specific needs. You must inspect drywall for damage and ensure that it has been primed correctly. Whereas wooden surfaces must be level and robust, concrete surfaces must be spotless, dry, and free of cracks.

The end result of your tiling project can be ruined by common problems like uneven surfaces or cracked tiles, which can be avoided with proper preparation. Make sure you clean the surface completely and get rid of any leftover paint or adhesive. Enhancing adhesion and general tile performance can also be achieved by applying a primer or sealant that is appropriate for your surface type.

These actions provide a strong base for your tiling project. You can have peace of mind and a polished finish knowing that your tiles will adhere well and last longer with proper surface preparation. Thus, take the time up front to properly prepare your surfaces and enjoy the finished product of expert tile installation.

It’s important to properly prepare the surface before beginning to lay tiles and clad. This entails giving it a thorough cleaning, repairing any damage, and ensuring that it is level and smooth. You may have uneven tiles or other issues later on if you omit these steps. When you prepare your project properly, your tiles and cladding will adhere well and look fantastic, giving your project a polished look.

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