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How Tracing Tile Cut Lines before Toilet Installation?

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Tile the areas away from the toilet flange first. When tiling a bathroom, mark out your desired grid pattern on the floor, and lay tile over the unobstructed areas first. Don’t tile around the toilet flange—the circular piece that connects to the drain pipe and upon which the toilet itself will rest—until the end.


Draw out a grid pattern for the tile layout on paper, and then on the subfloor itself, that reduces the number of tile cuts you need to make. If you’re using larger tiles—e.g., 12 by 12 in (30 by 30 cm) or larger—you may be able to cut a circle out of a single tile to go around the flange.

Cut one or more sheets of paper that match the size of your tiles. If you need to cut 1 tile to go around the flange, cut 1 sheet of paper; if you need 4 tiles, cut 4 sheets of paper. Be as precise as possible in sizing the sheets of paper properly. For instance, if your tiles are 8 by 8 in (20 by 20 cm), cut your sheets of paper to those dimensions.


Lay the sheet(s) of paper in place, overlapping the flange. Place the sheet(s) of paper exactly where the tile(s) will go, making sure to account for the spacing of your grout lines. That is, if your other tiles are spaced 0.125 in (0.32 cm) apart due to the grout lines, leave this same gap between the set tiles and your paper.


You can employ the same plastic spacers you use when laying the tile to make sure your grout line spacing is consistent with your paper templates. If you only need to cut a single tile, just lay a single sheet of paper right over the flange.

How Choosing Pool Tile Online or In-Store?

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Look for tile online for inspiration. Look online for images of pools that you like and find out what kind of tile they’re finished with. Browse through websites for pool tile companies and see what different kind of tile they offer. Read online reviews to find good-quality tile. See what other homeowners are saying about particular kinds of pool tile and different tile businesses.

Take notes as you do your research. Use your notes to narrow down a few types of good-quality tile and some good places to buy them.Look at tile in a store to see what you like. Pay attention to the overall quality and feel of the different tiles. Do you prefer tile that is smooth or abrasive?

Hold up different tiles and see if you like how the light reflects off of them. Hold different tiles side by side to see if you like them together. Shop for slip-resistant tile for kids. Finish any edges or walkways around your pool with slip-resistant tile to prevent kids from falling and hurting themselves.

Trim end tiles to fit around household fixtures. It may also be necessary to cut tiles when they run up against door jambs, cabinet bases, air vents, fireplaces, and similar obstacles. To do this, record the length and width of the object protruding into the tile space, then mark those measurements on the tile using a straight edge.

Use a wooden shim or scrap piece of cardboard to account for the grout lines in your measurements. Make sure the lines you draw on your tiles are plainly visible. They’ll serve as a guide when it comes time to do your cutting.

How Choosing Pool Tile by Material?

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Use porcelain if you’re on a budget. Porcelain tile is the cheapest and most common tile finishing option for pools. Create a beautiful mosaic or pattern using porcelain tile to enhance your pool design. Finish with stone for a natural look. Stone pool tile blends nicely with surrounding landscaping, and it’s great for young children because of its slip-resistant properties.

Use stone tile made from a beautiful type of stone like sandstone, limestone, or granite to create a smooth, sophisticated finish. Go with glass for a luxurious touch. Create a glass tile finish that shimmers and dazzles pool-goers with its reflective properties. Keep in mind that glass tile is more expensive than stone and porcelain tile.

If the tiles are more than 1 or 2 inches (2.5 or 5.1 cm) across, you may be able to cut them with a score-and-snap tile cutter. Press the cut tiles into place. Make sure that you keep the grouting gaps between the tiles consistent so that they match up with the grouting gaps on the tiles that are already on the wall.

This line will intersect the first line, indicating the exact center of the room. When tiling adjoining rooms, draw your lines so that they run from 1 room to the next. Make sure the line is positioned in the center of both rooms. Use the “3-4-5” method to find the center of irregularly-shaped rooms. Measure and mark 4 feet (1.2 m) outward from the center of the line you drew from the longest wall. Then, make a second mark 3 feet (0.91 m) down along the center of the wall line.

Stretch your tape measure between the 3 ft (0.91 m) mark and the 4 ft (1.2 m) mark. The distance between the 2 marks should be exactly 5 ft (1.5 m). Make a final mark where the tape measure crosses the 4 ft (1.2 m) mark to pinpoint the room’s center.

This method is useful for establishing a starting point in rooms with odd dimensions.

How Adding a Temporary Covering?

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Lay down a large area rug to cover unsightly tile flooring. Measure the area that you want to cover, and find a large rug that will cover most of the flooring. Try to get as close as possible to the correct dimensions for the room to ensure that the tile is mostly covered. If you’re having trouble finding inexpensive rugs, shop at thrift stores, or purchase a variety of smaller rugs to layer them and cover the floor.

Remember to place a sticky mat under the rugs, since the fabric can sometimes slide over the tiles. You can find inexpensive sticky mats at most home improvement stores and supermarkets. If you like the original color of the tiles and want to give them a quick update, you can add decals that let the color of the tiles show through.

Stick vinyl decals over flooring or a backsplash for a fresh look. Purchase a large sheet of vinyl decals to add character to tile flooring or a backsplash. Make sure you measure the area that you want to cover, and be sure to buy enough decals to completely cover the area. When you’re ready to apply the decals, simply trim them to size, peel the backing off, stick them to the tiles, and smooth them with a credit card to remove air bubbles.

This is a great way to add a pattern to plain tiling without painting, and it’s easily removable when you want to change it up. All you have to do is peel off the decals to start over. Some decals have more “traditional” tile patterns, like mosaics or Tuscan tiles, while others are simple solid colors.

Use adhesive carpet tiles to conceal large areas of tiled floor. Measure the area that you want to cover, and visit a home improvement or flooring store to see what kind of carpeting they have in stock. Keep in mind that most carpet tiles cost about $1 for 1 foot (0.30 m) squared, so you can plan your budget accordingly. When you’re ready, peel off the backing and stick them to the tile.

How to Cover Tiles Cheaply?

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While tiling is easy to maintain, it can sometimes look outdated or unsightly. Luckily, you can cover tile inexpensively with rugs, decals, or paint to update the room and achieve the look that you want. Whether you’re covering the tile temporarily or permanently, there are a few solutions you can try.

Apply contact paper to countertops for an easily removable update. Measure the countertops to see how much contact paper you’ll need, and purchase large rolls to fit the space and save money. As you’re covering the tile, cut the sheets to be as long as possible, peel off the backing, and overlap the contact paper along the seams to prevent peeling. Smooth the paper with a credit card to remove air bubbles to finish off the project.

Contact paper comes in a variety of different patterns and finishes that are perfect for countertops, including wood grain, glossy marble, and granite. To remove the paper, begin pulling it from the corner of the sheet and work slowly across the countertop. Tip: Make sure the pattern on the contact paper lines up and is oriented in the same direction for a more professional, high-end look.

Resurface countertops with quick-setting cement for an updated look. Sand the existing tile countertops and build a temporary form that attaches to the cabinetry, which will hold the cement as it sets. Then, simply mix and pour self-leveling concrete over the countertops and follow the package instructions to cure it. Paint a sealant over the concrete to protect it from water and debris.

While this is a more labor-intensive option, it can be very inexpensive, depending on the type of concrete you choose. Keep in mind that the concrete will likely crack slightly during the curing process, but you can fill in the cracks with the sealant. If you want to remove the carpet tiles or reposition them, simply pull them up by the corners to reveal the tile underneath.

How Establishing Your Layout Lines?

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Calculate the square footage of the room. To determine the square footage of a square or rectangular room, simply find the length of 2 adjacent walls in square feet and multiply them together. For irregularly-shaped areas like closets, alcoves, and counters, multiply the length and width of the extra space separately, then add this number to the square footage of the main part of the room.

If you’re measuring a rectangular room that’s 18 square feet (1.7 m2) x 12 square feet (1.1 m2), for example, the total square footage would be 216 square feet (20.1 m2). Figuring out the room’s square footage will tell you exactly how much tile you’ll need for your flooring project, which may influence the size and style you go with.

Note the size of your tiles. Once you’ve picked out a style you like, jot down the tile’s dimensions in a notebook or on a separate sheet of paper. You’ll need to know their exact length and width in order to determine how many will fit within the floor space of the room you’re tiling.

The size of the tiles should be plainly displayed on the product listing, packaging, or order invoice. It may be a good idea to measure the tiles yourself just in case the listed dimensions are off by a centimeter or 2. Be sure to measure the wall using the same unit as your tiles. If the length and width of the tiles is given in inches, for example, you’ll want to measure the room in inches, as well.

Find the length of the room’s longest walls. Run a tape measure along the wall from corner to corner. Record this number in your notebook, being sure to specify which measurements are which. If the room you’re working in is perfectly square, you can start with either set of opposing walls.

How to Polish Tile Floors?

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A well-polished tile floor can make a room feel clean and inviting. Whether you have ceramic, vinyl, stone, or any other type of tile flooring, giving your tile a shiny luster doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or costly. The keys to a polished tile floor are a clean and well-buffed surface and regular maintenance.

 

Dirty and discolored grout will stand out once you’ve finished polishing the tile, so it’s best to clean it well before you clean the rest of the floor. You may need to put in a little elbow grease and get down on your knees to scrub the grout well. Treat very dirty grout before you start scrubbing. Sprinkle baking soda over the grout, then spray vinegar onto it. Leave it to sit for 5 minutes before you start scrubbing.

 

If you have a lot of grout, it’s best to use a grout brush because it will be more efficient than a toothbrush. You can buy a grout brush for a few dollars at most department stores or online. Don’t scrub the grout so hard that it starts to flake or chip off! Use a mop to clean the whole tile floor. It’s important that you clean the tile floor well before you begin to polish it. Because you’re not using chemical soap, you don’t need to mix or slosh the water to create suds.

 

Dip your mop into the vinegar solution, wring out any excess water, and mop the floor in broad strokes. Work your way from one end of the room to the other, taking care not to miss any spots on the tile floor. Don’t forget any corners, cabinets or pantries. Apply club soda to remove any built up floor wax. Club soda is an excellent natural and environmentally-friendly wax-stripping alternative.

Fill a clean bucket with only club soda and scrub your tile with a brush to remove old wax. Then use clean water to mop up any residue and allow the tile floor to fully dry. For a stubborn wax buildup, you can let the club soda sit for a few minutes before you scrub it.

Using Commercial Polishing Products

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Remove any obstacles that may get in the way. The first thing you should do is remove any furniture or obstacles that may obstruct your ability to clean your floor. This includes tables and chairs, but also placemats and rugs. You don’t want to have to stop in the middle of the process to slide furniture out of the way.


This also includes the family pets! You may want to consider keeping the door closed, using a baby gate, or blocking off the entrance to the room with a chair or something that would prevent any four-legged friends from getting in.


Sweep the floors to remove large dirt particles. After clearing the room, take a broom and sweep up any dust and dirt that may have built up on the tile floor. If you plan to apply wax later, a dirty floor will make it difficult to adhere, and make the floor look grimy. You also don’t want to just move dirt around as you polish, so it’s best to thoroughly sweep the floor first.


Be sure to get into the nooks and crannies and remove as much dirt as you can. You could also use a dry mop, also called a dust mop, to sweep the floor. Dry mops are great for picking up dirt and dust without leaving streaks.


Scrub the grout in between the tiles with a soap and water and a scrub brush. Before you mop the entire floor, take a stiff brush and focus on cleaning the grout in between the tiles. Grout requires a little more effort to scrub clean, so you may need to get down on your hands and knees to scrub it well. Discolored or dirty grout will really stand out once your tile floor is polished.

How Cleaning Wood and Composite Tiles?

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Sweep the wood or composite tiles every few days. Try to sweep your tiles every day or as soon as you notice dirt, leaves, or grime. Use a soft, natural bristle broom to remove the debris that’s on the tiles. Regular sweeping will prevent your tiles from becoming caked with dirt or stained.


Wash the tiles with soap and water at least once a month. Fill a 5 US gal (19 L) bucket with water and a few squirts of mild dish soap. The water should be soapy and bubbly. Dip a mop into the soapy water and wring it out. Mop the tiles until you’ve removed the dirt. You can use a string mop or sponge head mop. Just avoid using a scratchy or abrasive mop on the tiles.


Rinse the tiles. If you’re cleaning a large space, take a garden hose and rinse the tiles with clean water to remove any soap residue. If you’re cleaning a small area, you can dip the mop in clean water and wring it out. Mop over the tiles so they’re rinsed with the clean water.


Remove any grease stains. As soon as you notice an oily stain, wipe up whatever caused it. Dip a sponge or soft cloth into soapy water and wash the stain. This might remove the stain on its own. If not, use a deck stain remover that’s specifically made for wood or composite tiles. You’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The longer the stain sits on the tile, the harder it will be to remove. That’s why it’s important to clean up the stain quickly.


Deep clean your tiles twice a year. In addition to keeping your wood and composite tiles swept and clean, you should try to deep clean the tiles in the spring and fall. Buy a tile cleaner developed for wood or composite. It should contain sodium hypochlorite. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Sodium hypochlorite will prevent mold and mildew from growing on your tiles.

How Removing Greasy Marks from Tiles?

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Wipe up oil splatters as soon as they happen, if possible. Tile splashbacks look fantastic but can get greasy quickly. Oil marks are easiest to remove when they are fresh. If you notice oil splashing on the tiles while you are cooking, use a paper towel to blot the oil. If you don’t have a paper towel on hand, use a clean dishcloth instead. This method will remove greasy marks from all types of cement tiles.

Fill a bucket with warm water and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid. If you notice greasy marks on the clunny tiles that have likely been there a while, use this method to get rid of them. The warm water and dishwashing liquid help to break down the oil and remove the stains. Add the water and dishwashing liquid into the bucket and then use your hand to gently stir them together. Any dishwashing liquid or detergent works for this method.

Dip a sponge into the soapy water and use it to wipe up the grease. Soak the sponge in the water and then squeeze it to remove any drips. Press the sponge onto the greasy marks for 5 seconds and then wipe in circular motions until all the marks are gone.

Soak the sponge in soapy water and wipe off the grease with it. Soak the sponge in water and squeeze to remove any water droplets. Press the sponge on the oil stain for 5 seconds, then wipe it circularly until all the oil stains disappear. If you want to clean a large area, soak the sponge regularly in soapy water to ensure that there is fresh dishwash soap on it. If there is a lot of excess accumulation on the tile, you may need to use store-bought degreaser or vinegar solution to clean it.

If you are cleaning a large area, dunk your sponge in the soapy water regularly to ensure that it has fresh dish soap on it. If there’s is a lot of excess build-up on your tiles, you may need to clean with a store-bought degreaser or use a vinegar solution.