5 Avoidable Mistakes When Tiling – And How to Fix Them

If you want your tiling job to last, there are a few basics you just can’t cut corners on. Over the years we’ve seen the same mistakes come up again and again. Here are the five big ones and how to get them right first time.

1. Skipping Surface Prep

If you don’t clean and prime the surface properly, your tiles won’t stick for long. Dust, damp, or uneven walls can all cause problems. Take the time to prep. A good primer is your best friend here.

Try Tilemaster Prime Plus for a strong base that gives your adhesive something to bite onto. Whilst not always strictly necessary, it covers alot of bases and allows you to work with less-than-perfect substrates, whilst also letting you tile over troublesome materials.

2. Using the Wrong Adhesive

Not all adhesives are the same. Heavy porcelain tiles, timber floors, underfloor heating, or outside spaces all need the right product. If you grab the wrong one, you’ll get failures and wasted effort. It's worth doing the research first to ensure you end up with the right ahesive for the job.

A flexible all-rounder like Kerakoll H40 Tile Adhesive will cover most jobs and keep your tiles in place.

3. Cutting Corners on Waterproofing

Tiles alone won’t keep water out. Bathrooms, wetrooms, and kitchens all need proper waterproofing. Skip it and you’ll be dealing with leaks and mould later on.

Use a system like Schlüter Kerdi 200 Membrane or the Tilemaster Tanking Kit before tiling to keep everything watertight. These cost effective preventative measures can save you thousands down the line!

4. Poor Trowel Technique

If you don’t spread the adhesive properly, you’ll end up with hollow spots and cracked tiles. Always use the right size notched trowel and spread evenly. For big tiles, butter the back as well.

A quality tool like a Genesis Notched Trowel makes all the difference.

And never use the 'dot and dab' method. We see people dot and dab to try and save on tile adhesive, but the end result is a tile that's not properly fixed with voids behind it. This almost always leads to failure.

5. Forgetting Expansion Joints

Tiles expand and contract with heat and moisture. If you don’t leave movement joints or perimeter gaps, they’ll push against each other and crack.

Protect your floor with Schlüter DILEX Movement Joints or seal edges with Mapei Silicone Sealant. These days we can even get colour matched options to blend seamlessly into your floor too!

Final Thoughts

A good tiling job is all in the prep and the right products. Get these five points sorted and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches and potentially thousands of pounds down the line. At Tile Fix Direct we stock everything you need for the job, from primers and adhesives to waterproofing and tools.

Shop tiling essentials here and make your next project a success.