It’s always best to entrust tiling to experts, but you can do it yourself with enough time and patience. Doing so will save you money and even teach you a new set of skills. To finish your work faster, safer, and better, you will need to use the right tiling tools.
The kind of tools you need will depend on what type of tiling project you’ll be working on. Here is a list of the basics, all of which you will find in most tiling tool shops:
Tile cutters
There are two standard options: snap cutters and wet tile saws. If you’re familiar with a glass cutter, you will most likely have no difficulty using a snap cutter; it works almost the same way. You insert the tile into the tile cutter, which then draws a carbide wheel across its surface to create a score. The machine will then press on the tile until it snaps along the scored line.
A wet tile saw is similar to a regular table saw except for the water that continuously wets the spinning blade. The water keeps the tile cool and minimises debris. A wet tile saw lets you make quick and accurate cuts. It’s a significant investment if you see yourself tiling other parts of your home in the future.
Tile nibbler
If you want to be more creative about the appearance of your tile, you need this tool. It allows you to make irregularly shaped cuts that cannot be done using a wet tile saw. This tool will also become handy when you need to make semi-circular cuts required to accommodate structures like pipes, shower heads, and faucets.
Grout float
This tool is the only way to properly apply grout, which is what you use to fill the gaps between individual tile pieces. It keeps the distribution of grout even and its application flat. Do note that there are separate floats for floors and walls. Those used for walls have softer rubber pads, making them great for applying grout on wall corners. In many cases, labels in stores do not indicate what the float is for, so you’ll have to compare the softness of the rubber pads to know which one you need.
Grout sponge
This sponge is used to remove mortar that remains on the tile’s surface. Even if you have regular sponges at home, they might not be good enough for this task. That said, it will be better to just invest in a grout sponge altogether.
Rubber mallet
You can tap tiles into place without breaking them using this tool. Wrapping a normal hammer with cloth or foam does not replace a rubber mallet, so it’s best to invest in it as well.
Levels
These tools ensure that you are laying tiles evenly and in a straight line. They are indispensable if you want your output to look attractive and without any irregularities. You can choose from several options depending on the specifics of your project and budget. These choices include bubble levels, chalk lines, and laser levels.
You always have the option to DIY home projects like tiling. Just be sure you know the process and that you have the right tools for high-quality outputs and to prevent costly mistakes.
