Julian Cassell's DIY Blog

Regrouting tiles is a very effective way of reviving the look, and more importantly, the water repellent properties of a tiled surface. Grout will deteriorate a lot quicker than the tiles themselves and so within the lifespan of a tiled surface, you can expect to do some regrouting at least once or twice in order to keep things looking good as well as being water resistant. read more »

Replacing a broken tile is a straightforward job,  but you do need to be careful not to damage surrounding tiles during the process. The technique shown below deals with situations where single tiles may have cracked, been scratched, or perhaps a fitting has been moved and you want to make good the area. read more »

The secret of fixing into tiles is simply making sure that you use the correct drill bits. Always take care as there may be hidden pipes or services below the wall surface so be sure to use a cable, pipe and stud detector to help find safe fixing positions. Also, before proceeding check and double check that the holes you are making are exactly right for whatever the item you are fixing to the wall – tiles aren’t like a wall surface where you can simply fill, sand and paint over any mistakes. read more »

Walls must be in a sound condition for tiling, and quite simply, the flatter the better. Any wallpaper must be removed, but you can tile over old tiles if they are firmly stuck down. If in doubt, it’s always best to remove the old tiles. Wall surfaces must be sealed correctly before tiles are applied – always take directions from the tile and adhesive manufacturer, as sealant type recommendations can vary. read more »