Straight row!!!!!!!

[crazysteve123]

Hi guys i have recently tiled a hallway i started my first row from the door, the door was like a banana,what i really struggle with is getting my first row level really frustrates me and also the hallway goes into a passage way and when i set it out the tile should have ran along the skirting but when i got down there it was about two-three inches away looked a mess in my eyes, any tips on centreing a room, prevent tiles running out and datum lines etc would be great cheers...

[Sir Ramic]

Setting out is the key. Get yourself a square and chalk line. Before laying a tile make sure you know where every cut will be. Its better to rub a chalk line out a few times than to take up a row of tiles.

[Mike Strutter]

I always meaure to find the centre point and dry lay tiles in every direction, that way i can tell if the walls are wonky and which position in relation to the centre mark to start. I always leave myself as big a cut as poss into the wall, never assume the walls are straight so never plan to run a whole tile along a wall. Cutting into the walls takes all the worry of being left with a small slither of tile, which as you said looks crap.
As Sir Ramic says get a set square, they are priceless, and draw onto the floor. Taking an hour or so setting out is time well spent if it means getting the floor to look right.

[deanotile]

1 Using a measuring tape find the centre of the floor and mark using a pencil.
2 using that measurement mark the floor at the other end of the room (this should always be don on the longest straightest wall of the room)
3 Using a chalk line ping in the centre line between the marks.
4 Using a measuring tape find the centre of the floor length ways.
5 Using a preformed square and a chalk line ping in the cross hears.
6 Mark out a gauge rod by cutting a piece of wood to length and position the chosen tiles alongside the gauge rod.
Remember to include the chosen spacers.
Mark on the rod to indicate each tile joint
7 Using the gauge rod check the cuts width ways and mark the floor with a pencil to indicate the position of the tiles.
8 Using the gauge rod check the cuts length ways and mark the floor with a pencil to indicate the position of the tiles.
9 Using a measuring tape measure from the cross hears to the edge of the first full tile.
10 Transfer the measurement to the edge of the floor.
11 Transfer the measurement to the edge of the floor at the other end of the room. (You should now have a line at one end of the room that runs parallel to the centre line)
12 Using the appropriate adhesive fix the first row of tiles along the new line.
13 Cut and fix the tiles to the edges.
14 Using a measuring tape measure back two tiles.
15 Transfer the measurement to both sides of the floor.
16 Using a chalk line ping in the line.
17 Fix the next two rows of tiles up to the chalk line and cut the tiles to the sides.
18 Repeat the process to completion.

[smurf21]

measure accross the door or hall and find the centre mark the floor. then from the same wall measure the same, mark the floor.(about six foot further down hall way.) and ping a chalk line. stand at the entrance and look down the line to see if its running true to centre if so the use your square of this line into other areas. if you dont have a square then use tape and 3/4/5 it to find the square i.e 3' from fixed point on line. 4' at a 90 degree angle from fixed point ping line between the two then from the 3' mark on the line measure 5' and where the 5' crosses the 4 ' line gives you your square......but its much easier with a ready made square.. the once you are happy with your centres set out from them checking all ways for stupid little cuts either dry lay or make a marking stick.. allways remember the six P,s...PROPER ,PREPERATION,PREVENTS, ****,POOR PERFORMANCE.

[crazysteve123]

Jus ordered a ping line, i almost understand the instructions kindly given by you guys, can you tell me where i can get a square from and also what they look like and how to use them and thanks again..

[Mike Strutter]

Try the Tradetiler site mate, very reasonable prices & quick delivery too

Tradetiler.com Home

[Oli]

Here you go:

Laser Sqaure
or

Folding Sqaure

[S.E Tiling]

Wickes do a folding square and B&Q do a stanley one a bit dearer though.

I dry lay tiles in all directions first, then when I get started nail down a bit of dressed timber, folding square and an aluminium machined edge. Fix a row along the machined edge, then work away. Once I have finished that side, I take up the machined edge and tile from there. Weigh down the machined edge with spare tiles and bobs ya uncle!!!!!!!!

[Versatiler]

Stanley S2 laser level and square is the best addition to my toolbox - it gives a set of laser lines on your floor at 90deg so you can alter it to suit and then snap your chalk line. It doesn't cost a fortune - I got a friend to get mine when they were in America for 39 dollars.

[crazysteve123]

Am still confused...do i measure the widths of each end of the room find the centre's snap a chalkline between both points then measure outwards fix a lengh of timber for the first row so it doesnt run out...also how do i use the square sorry to be a pain..

[dougy]

I always used a ping line until I got a laser line. So much easier and great for long runs like hallways. One of my best buys.

[whitebeam]

Don't want to confuse matters stevie but sometimes if the walls ar'nt square I have laid a row of tiles and check by eye. Use a straight edge to keep the tiles in line