Your Top Tiling Tips.

[JIMBOB187]

Evening all,

OK so things are going well (touch wood) taking bookings towards the end of May now, loads of work from marketing campaign and Topps as my store has rolled out the approved fitting scheme and I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of two fitters, but, and there is always a but, I am concerned about my speed and I do not want to start rushing my work.

I know people get faster with time and this I can see happening with myself aswell but I am worried that as I am self taught there may be methods/ tips I would have learn't on a course that I may never see and obviously you more experienced trades people will have taught yourself tips and tricks along the way.

So I will kick it off with a humble suggestion of something I have learnt and has seriously begun to P*SS me of;

1. Remember where you put your bloody pencil.:mad2:

Jim

I would just like to add that ideally time and finances willing I would definetly like to attend a course as this can only help my confidence, business currently just covering the bills at this early stage but a course is I think something I want to do.

 

[enduro]

My tip would be keep your tiling as clean as you can wipe adhesive from tiles and joints as you fix, dont leave to the next day when you are going to grout and you then have to spend a hour raking adhesive out of joints or scraping off tiles.

 

[Fekin]

Tips ?

Measure twice, cut once

 

[hillhead]

a course might help you a bit but experience with other great tilers is the way to go i reckon,in 20 years you'll still be learning new trick so don't panic,i'm learning quickly and my confidence is very high,3 years in and i was showing a tiler of 8 years how to tile around a bar yeaterday and ended up doing it myself,he had even won a trade competition !!!! but i'm always watching all tiling everywhere,even when i'm out shopping,lol. great fun.

Joe.
:hurray: come on the toon

 

[DHTiling]

My TIP is.....Check all the colour shades on the tile box's before you fix them , because if they are wrong then you are liable , as you should check before fixing............

 

[Daz]

I always work with 3 open boxes at a time

 

[MICK the Tiler]

The term "SLOW TILER" pops up alot on these pages but the true meaning of the word has as many definitions as there are tilers. The term "SLOW" usually says to me that he/she is lacking in confidence and experience and this cannot be fast tracked. You have to earn your stripes as a tiler as it is a very individual trade.

The key factor in accepting and using tips is to incorporate them into your daily routine over a period of time. So that all of those little things can add up to save you consistent time blocks.

All of the tips mentioned above are what people have tried and found that they improve the experience and knowledge as a tiler. Don't try and mould yourself to take them all on at one time this would be counter productive but instead try and incorporate a couple at a time into your daily routine until they become habit. then add a few more as you grow in your abilities and master each one in time.

When your new to tiling every job will be different and at times you will struggle to keep up but in time these situations will repeat themselves and you will be in a better position to cope as you encounter more and more similar senarios and you will know the answers and be able to preform the tasks faster and easier, but it all takes time.

By the way I keep my pencil tucked into the top of my sock

 

[enduro]

Another one that pops to mind and what i used to do when i first started, when working in a bathroom and your wet cutter is outside instead of running up and down the stairs with one tile to cut only go down when you have several to cut as this will save you lots of time and you wont get knackered running up and down the stairs

 

[JIMBOB187]

Thanks for these people, I hope this thread continues, very worthwhile indeed.

 

[enduro]

I wear a small leather tool pouch which i put my spacers and pencil in, saves time looking for pencil and knocking over tub of tile spacers...

 

[TilingLogistics]

I always tried to work as clean as possible. The extra time sheeting up or picking that addy blob off the floor saved hours and paid for itself over and over. I still do the same now when I am grinding and polishing. Masking off and sheeting up where possible saves hours on cleanup.

Kev

 

[aejrd]

Thanks for these people, I hope this thread continues, very worthwhile indeed.

just use a small pencil like u get in the bookies or ctd give them away at the shields road branch they sit snug bhind ya ear ..sorted !!

 

[sWe]

Don't skimp on ergonomics (working positions and gear), and try to do some physical excersise. As a tiler, it's really easy to end up with a busted back, busted knees, busted elbows, busted hands, busted neck, busted shoulders...

Catch my drift?

Saving a tenner by buying gear which keeps you working on your knees and other uncomfortable postions, inceases the chances of you becoming injured or so worn out you can't work any more, and that costs alot more than a tenner.

Buy proper working clothes, proper knee pads, floats and trowels with ergonomic handles, special floor floats with poles so your can work upright, ergonomic buckets, etc... Doesn't have to cost that much more initially, and it definatly keeps you working longer, with less pains and aches. It's more fun to work with good gear as well.

Try alternating between using your left and right arms.

Use a facemask when doing dusty work... It's good to have functioning lungs if you like breathing and, well, living :rofl:

 

[Sean Kelly]

Carry 2 pencils and carry round a stanley knife (ideally in your work trousers....the ones with many pockets). Some even have pouches for spacers. When you have finished for the day, then change into your jeans/dress or whatever. Saves your car from turning into a giant can of talcum powder (from all the dust etc).

As to speed. Do not worry. I thought I was slow, and I was worried that my customer would think that I was no good. When she saw my days efforts she was amazed. She said 'Oh my God, you have done so much. You are really a fast worker". The thing is....how many people know how long it should take to tile a bathroom/ kitchen etc? I worked with a guy (back in my IT days) and he tiled 6 tiles in a weekend. It took him months to finish the job.

BTW I have tiles 1 toilet, and 3 kitchens and each time I get quicker and more confident. For you to get the contract at Topps you must be pretty good anyway

 

[julie67]

make sure you apply your lipstick properly before visiting a customer :lol: