1st Job: New to tiling

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Hi all,
New to this site. I'm currently in the process of refurbishing my first house. I have fitted a new kitchen and the only thing left to do is tile the walls.

I have helped my dad do some tiling in the past and know a bit about setting out etc. I have chosen and bought the tiles (metro cream wall tiles). But I like learning new skills and believe in "if a jobs worth doing its worth doing well". Through work they run starter courses for things like tiling, plastering etc. There are no qualifications behind them but are taught by professionals. I have signed up for the tiling course and wondered what tools to get, is it worth spending more on better quality tools?

Also what the best adhesive and grout to use would be. The walls are fresh plaster which has been sealed with a mist coat of emulsion.
I guess I could ask at the course but wanted to get a wider view on what would be best to use.

Many thanks for any suggestions
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[timeless john]

and good luck - the emulsion will HAVE to be removed prior to any tile fixing and make sure the surface is clean and dry.
The tiling course should establish what tools you require, and also the correct adhesive and grout. But look at the Mapei contact on the forum for all their products.

[jay]

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and good luck - the emulsion will HAVE to be removed prior to any tile fixing and make sure the surface is clean and dry.
The tiling course should establish what tools you require, and also the correct adhesive and grout. But look at the Mapei contact on the forum for all their products.

Thanks. I was hoping you wouldn't say that! It is only a very thin watered down coat so i thought it would be ok.

[timeless john]

The adhesive will stick to the 'very thin watered down coat' and then when it's all dried out the weight of the tiles will make them drop off1301651790336.jpg1301651783353.jpg

[suave]

welcome!

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The adhesive will stick to the 'very thin watered down coat' and then when it's all dried out the weight of the tiles will make them drop off1301651790336.jpg1301651783353.jpg

Thanks for the advise and all the Welcomes, I better get the scraper out then.
The teacher recommended Bal White Star adhesive, but I feel this is expensive and you are paying for the name so to speak. But I may be wrong.

[Alan.P]

Mmmmm, tubbed adhesive, what to say, a lot of fixers, myself included prefer cement based bagged adhesives, there are long threads on the subject, the pit falls of tubbed adhesive is in the drying times, they need air contact to dry ( dispersion adhesive ) where as bagged doesn't, in other words, if you grout up a wall that has been fixed with tubbed gear your sealing the adhesive in, this will take an age to dry properly, depending on substrate, if at all. Bagged adhesive will dry regardless, of course, it does need to dry or grout discolouration can happen.

[carlito]

Hi & welcome. Mapei all the way for me!

[Bri]

Welcome along


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Mmmmm, tubbed adhesive, what to say, a lot of fixers, myself included prefer cement based bagged adhesives, there are long threads on the subject, the pit falls of tubbed adhesive is in the drying times, they need air contact to dry ( dispersion adhesive ) where as bagged doesn't, in other words, if you grout up a wall that has been fixed with tubbed gear your sealing the adhesive in, this will take an age to dry properly, depending on substrate, if at all. Bagged adhesive will dry regardless, of course, it does need to dry or grout discolouration can happen.

Thanks
I think he suggested the tubbed stuff becasue I'm a first timer. No mixing up problems and longer working time?!

Just looking where to get the tools from now too. I'm getting quite excited about tiling the kitchen, is that sad?