Friday, December 26, 2014

Ordering from a Trusted Supplier for your Tile Tools

Tile tools come in a variety of forms. From grout to tile cutters, diamond blades and drilling supplies, regardless of where you plan on using these tools, the type of tile you are working with all depends on what it will be used for.


Where Do I Get Tile Tools for Contractors?

Where do you get tile tools for contractors?  If you are a contractor, you want to make sure that you're not just buying from your hardware store or big box home improvement center.

Does it matter where you buy your tile tools? In a word, yes. It is extremely important to order your tools from a reputable, well known tile tool supplier. Different suppliers will carry different tile tools, prices will vary, and different brands will be available through different suppliers. Therefore, you must research all suppliers, to find tools which you will use for the different jobs you do.

What to Look For in A Tile Tool Supplier

A wet saw or tile saw needs to be good quality  so with that in mind, make sure that you order from a good tile tools supplier. One way to find a trusted tile tool supplier is to use the Internet. Whether you order through an online supplier, or simply compare suppliers online prior to ordering, you can find reviews, compare product listings, compare different brand name tile cutter supplies, and of course compare prices. Using the right tile tool supplier will make a world of difference in finding the supplies you need, whether you are working on tiles in the home, or are doing a larger commercial job for a client. Therefore, visiting several suppliers, comparing their product line, and finding the one that carries the highest quality tools you need, for the best prices, should be done prior to ordering.

When selecting a tile tool supplier, it is also a good idea to compare those that carry a variety of tools. Depending on the jobs you are going to use these tools for, each contractor is going to require a different set of tile tools. So, finding suppliers that carry an extensive selection, and various well known brands of tile tools, is something that should be done prior to placing an order with a supplier. Grinders, wet polish wheels, saws, diamond blades, drilling supplies, and more. The more tools a supplier offers, the easier it is going to be to find the ones you require to complete any job for a customer.  That way you know you've found the right supplier for all of your tile tools.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Tile Laying Tips and Tricks

Here are several tile laying tips and tricks that separate a professional from an amateur.

Tile Laying Tips and Tricks

Tile is found in homes throughout the world.  While in living areas, tile is usually just confined to the floor, it is in the kitchen and the bathroom that tile laying poses unique challenges.  Here's your first tile laying tip. Let's start with your mixture.  You want to make sure that your thin set is mixed smoothly, without lumps. If you stir it too much, you can end up with thin set that is gummy and won't be as easy to put down.  Mix it a bit, and then let it sit for about 10 minutes.  This will help any leftover lumps to absorb liquid and be smoother.  This is called slaking.  Once your thin set is slaked, add water as needed and again wait at least 10 minutes before you do anything with it.  However, while your thin set is important, your floor is also important.

Make sure that your floor is level and smooth.  Any imperfections will cause your tile to either be raised or recessed which will require some hasty repairs.  The best way to solve this problem?  Self-leveling compound.  But before you dump the bucket on the floor, remember these two potential issues:  self-leveling compound will seep into even tiny cracks and fissures and it dries within 30 minutes.  When you are using your tools, make sure that you have a caulking gun to start.  You want to make sure that you fill every single gap, even down to the smallest hole.  Let the caulking dry and go over the floor with a magnifying glass if you have to.  Once you've inspected the surface you're going to be doing tile on, then it is time to put the self-leveling compound down.

Tile Laying:  Use Caution With Self-Leveling Compound

There are some tile laying jobs you can do on your own.  Applying self-leveling compound isn't one of them.  You're going to need at least one helper.  One of you will have to pour, and the other one will have to stir.  Even with help, you’ll have to move quickly. So don't mix it and then call it a day. Get it on the floor fast.

You also want to make sure that all of your baseboards are removed.  Without baseboards, you have a bit of room if you need to put a weird length of tile down.  Above all else, however, when you're putting down tile, always make sure that you have the right tile tools for the job.

Tile Tools HQ