Wall and Floor Tiling - Tools and Equipment: An Introduction

Wall and Floor Tiling - Tools and Equipment: An Introduction

1. Wall and Floor Tiling Tools and Equipment: An Introduction KM: January 2018

2. Overview – Today’s lesson In this lesson we are going to look at the various types of tools and ancillary equipment that are used in Wall and Floor Tiling. We will firstly begin by discussing what a tile actually is!! KM: January 2018

3. What is a Tile? Ceramic tiles are made up of sand, natural products and clays. Once moulded into shape they are then fired in a kiln. Ceramic tiles they can either be glazed or unglazed. The face of a ceramic tile is normally “glazed” (a thin covering of a material similar to liquid glass which normally gives a gloss or satin finish). The back of a ceramic tile is generally referred to as the “biscuit”. This part of the tile is unglazed. The manufacturing process will be considered later in the course. KM: January 2018

4. Tools KM: January 2018 Serrated Edged Trowels Gauging/Bucket /Grout Trowels Spirit Levels Water Levels Staff Stick Tile Spacers Square Straight Edges Tape measures and Rules Tile Scribes Tile cutting machines Chalk lines

5. Serrated Edged Trowels The basic principle of a serrated edged trowel is that if used correctly a series of “ribs” of adhesive will have been applied to the substrate when the adhesive has been spread. When a tile is fixed to the adhesive the “ribs” will collapse forming an adhesion between the tile, adhesive and substrate. Different types of serrated edged trowels are used for different fixing methods. The following slides will introduce you to the different types of serrated trowels used in Wall and Floor Tiling. KM: January 2018

6. 6mm serrated Edged Trowel KM: January 2018 • 6mm square notches at 25mm centres . • Suitable for thin-bed fixing in interior dry areas for most ceramic, marble and natural stone wall tiles. • Coverage: approx. 50 %. * When adhesive is spread on a wall it is important that it is spread evenly and horizontally* image©www.screwfix.com

7. 10mm Solid Bed Trowel 20mm wide round notches with 10mm depth at 28mm centres . Suitable for walls and floors backgrounds or tiles with recessed or keyed back patterns. Coverage 100% achievable at 3-4mm Used for solid bed fixing of tiles KM: January 2018 image©www.screwfix.com

8. Trowels KM: January 2018 Gauging trowels have a round tip and are generally used to “Regulate” of adjust tiles once they have been fixed. “Bucket” trowels have a square tip and are generally used to remove adhesive from a bucket image©www.screwfix.com

9. Grout Trowels KM: January 2018 Grout trowels are used to apply grout to a wall or a floor. It is important that when using a grout trowel (often called a “squeegee”) that grout is forced into the tile joint rather than just skimming the surface. image©www.screwfix.com

10. Cleaning Trowels KM: January 2018 It is important to ensure that all trowels are cleaned after use. Failure to do so will lead to a build up of adhesive or grout on the trowel. Trowels are expensive!! image©www.screwfix.com Blade Tang Handle Heel Toe

11. Spirit Levels Spirit levels are used in Wall and Floor Tiling during the setting out and importantly during the fixing process. Spirit levels ensure that tiles are fixed Plumb ( Vertically Straight) and Level (Horizontally straight). Levels are available in various lengths from 200mm upwards. KM: January 2018

12. Water Levels A traditional tool used in the setting out process in Wall and Floor Tiling is the water level. The simplest water level is a section of clear tubing, partially filled with water . The ends are held vertical, and the rest of the tubing lies on the ground or floor. The water level at each end of the tube will be at the same elevation (level), whether the two ends are adjacent or far apart. You will have a demonstration in the workshop! It is used to level and transfer a datum line around a room. KM: January 2018

13. Datum Line Water Level Approx 1000mm Datum Line KM: January 2018

14. A Staff stick is used in the setting out process. The size of the tile size plus appropriate joint width is marked on a straight piece of timber. Tiles should be selected from different boxes. This ensures an appropriate size of tile is gained. Tile spacers/crosses are used to ensure correct joint width . The minimum joint for wall tiles is 2mm though maximum joint size is dependent on tile and grouting material Staff Stick KM: January 2018

15. Tiles Spacers Tile spacers/crosses are used to ensure correct joint width . Tile spacers come in various sizes and can be either in cross or pin form. KM: January 2018

16. Square and Straight Edge A straight edge is used in Wall and Floor Tiling to ensure that tiles are aligned correctly and it is also used in setting a datum line around in conjunction with a spirit level A square is used to ensure that in floor tiling tiles are fixed square (to a 90° angle ). A method used checking for a 90 ° angle is using 3,4, 5. This will be demonstrated in the workshop. KM: January 2018

17. Tape Measures and Folding Rules Tape Measures are used in the setting out process though also used to measure for tile cuts. Available in various lengths from 3m – 10m. Metric and Imperial. Folding Rules are used for measuring for tile cuts. Folding Rules are 1m in length. Metric and Imperial KM: January 2018

18. Tile Cutting Tools A tile scribe is a traditional tool used to cut a tile. Normally metal with a tungsten tip. The modern method of cutting a tile is using a cutting machine. Available in pull or push types. KM: January 2018 Image ©www.rubi.com

19. Tile Cutting Tools Tile snips (sometimes called “nippers”) are used to cut tiles in irregular shapes. The tip of the snips are made of tungsten. A carborundrum stone is used to smooth tile edges which have been cut. KM: January 2018

20. Ancillary Equipment - Chalkline A chalk line is used in the setting out process in both Wall and Floor Tiling. It is basically a reel with a string line inside a container which coloured chalk can be added. It is important that when using a chalkline that the line is kept “taut” this will ensure that The line struck is accurate. KM: January 2018

21. Ancillary Equipment - Chalkline A Tile hammer is used with a lochboy to cut holes in tiles. A “ lochboy ” is basic a clamp used to hold a tile whilst cutting a hole in it. KM: January 2018 Image©http ://www.flooringequipmentdirect.co.uk image©www.werkmax.de

22. WFT City of Glasgow College 2018 KM: October 2018