Re-tiling is a great way to update the look and feel of a home, and possibly even add to its value. But just like moving home, a renovation can be a combination of stress and excitement, and – often puts immense strain on households.
“It’s impossible to escape all the disruption that comes with a tiling renovation – be it indoors or out - but what you can do is lay the foundation for a smoother, less stressful one,” says Tiisetso Mokotjo, product manager at Saint-Gobain Weber.
She notes that while upgrades are inconvenient, time-consuming and messy, there are steps that can be taken by homeowners to manage and reduce potential stress and mess in the home.
Tile over existing tiles
Let technology work for you and cut out the dust, noise and disruption that comes with chipping out tiles - the bane of any renovation project. When choosing your adhesive, find one that allows tiles to be laid directly onto existing tiles or substrates- preferably one that doesn’t require primer as this cuts out surface preparation work.
Not only will this simplify the process, but it also ensures a cleaner, faster and cheaper renovation thanks to a reduction in labour and surface preparation material costs.
Opt for a quick setting adhesive
Contractors, workmen and the possibility of limited access to power and water adds to the disruption of an upgrade. So the trick is to minimise downtime and renovate quickly. Traditionally, tile adhesives can take up to 48 hours to dry but modern developments are changing this and today there are several quick-setting adhesives on the market.
If your household is a busy one, with pets and young children, lay your tiles last thing in the day and leave them to dry overnight. Weber’s Renovate is an example of a tile adhesive which sets within six hours and is primer-free too, to save even more time and hassle.
Plan your colours, materials and shopping-list upfront. Picture: Supplied
Plan your colours, materials and shopping-list upfront
One thing that can fall by the wayside is the colour of grout and adhesive. From the outset, match your materials and be sure you have sufficient quantities on site. Plan the process and discuss clearly and concisely what you want upfront to avoid making last minute choices or hardware trips.
The rule of thumb for adhesive is to match your tile colour and be sure to use a white adhesive for lighter tiles to prevents staining. Also make practical considerations like waterproofing early on and consider using an adhesive that doubles as a moisture barrier – it’s especially nifty for the garden or patio, or for kitchens and bathrooms where moisture levels are high.
“Any renovation is about project management so ensure that you’re organised and plan in advance which will go a long way to making the project simpler, faster and more cost effective, and which can alleviate the pressure on you and your family.” Mokotjo concludes.