What Tools Do I Need For Tiling?

If you’re thinking about tiling yourself then look no further than our tiling tool list where we talk you through the essential DIY tools needed for tiling and keeping them looking great afterwards!

The first step is to gather all the tools you’ll need for completing your tiling project, from preparation through to maintenance, we’ve broken it down into the stages of tiling to avoid any confusion!

The first essential tools required for tiling are those to prep your substrate. Without decent surface preparation your tiling project will most likely be compromise and won’t look as good, and probably won’t last long either!

Remove any existing floor coverings, whether this is a chisel and hammer for removing old tiles, a crowbar for rickety floorboards or a bitumen cleaner to remove residue, you’ll need to go back to the bare substrate and make sure it’s level and clean before doing any fresh tiling.

Before selecting your tiles, you’ll need to accurately measure out the space using a tape measure so you can work out the correct number of tiles to purchase. At this point, it’s also worth checking the depth of your floor so you can calculate the added depth of your tile adhesive and tile to ensure it doesn’t come up to high to block doors etc. as this could impact the type of flooring that works for your space.

Of course, the next step is to select your favourite floor and wall tiles, we’d recommend overbuying by 10% to encompass cuts and damages, especially if you’re doing an alternate laying pattern like herringbone.

For full preparation advice we’d recommend viewing our Knowledge Base which has a host of guides suitable for all different substrates and tile types to ensure you prep as best as you can for your tiling project.

You’ll most likely need to cut some tiles to size so either purchasing a tile cutter or hiring one is essential and you’ll need some tile markers too to help mark out the cuts required on each tile. If you’ve got an awkward area that is being tiled, then tile nippers could come in handy to help shape tiles accordingly.

Tiling can be a dirty job, but you also need to protect yourself from harm, so we’d advise wearing a range of PPE such as gloves, knee pads, a mask and safety glasses. You may also want to use ear plugs if you’re using loud tools.

To create a perfect base for wall and floor tiles, a cement backer board like Hardiebacker, provides extra protection for your wall and a superior surface for your tile to bond to. You can use primer to prepare the backing boards, creating an even surface to tile on.

If you’re renovating a wet environment, then all tiled surfaces should be waterproofed so a water tanking system will be required before you can tile any of the area.

To stick your tiles to your substrate you’ll need a good quality tile adhesive, there are different types depending on the type of tile you’re tiling, the room conditions and the usage of the room. You’ll need a notched trowel to spread the adhesive easily on the wall and create the ribbed effect for better adhesion.

As you go along placing your tiles, don’t forget to add in your tile spacers to ensure an even grout width.

Even though you’ve probably levelled your substrate, levelling your tiles is also essential to avoid any bowing or lifting as the adhesive cures. There are a range of levelling tools available but levelling clips and wedges are most commonly used.

To seal the joints between the tiles you’ll need to grout in between your tiles, there are a few different formulations depending on your tile choice but there’s also a range of colours available for an aesthetic finish.

You’ll need a grout float to spread the grout over the tile joints for an even finish and we recommend using a specialist grouting sponge to clean up the excess grout during tiling (a vital step to avoid grout haze on your tiles once dry).

We have a range of specialist cleaning guides on our Knowledge Base to help you find the right products and techniques to keep your new tiles looking fresh.

You can find the best cleaning tools, products and protectants for any tiling project, we’d highly recommend spraying your new grout with grout sealer to further protect from residue build up and mould.

So, that’s our basic tiling tool list for the average DIY tiling project but make sure to check out our individual fitting guides and tiling guides on our Knowledge Base for more in depth information on what specialist tools for tiling you might require for your project.