DIY Tile Tip of the Week #2

TAMP YOUR TILE:

Your DIY tile job will turn out better if you use an old tileman's trick: tamp your tile down with a rubber mallet. This is especially important for large tiles of 12" square and up. Big tiles can trap air underneath and fail to achieve a good, solid set into your adhesive base.

Large or small, all tile jobs can benefit from a gentle tamping. The vibration promotes excellent adhesion, and the act of "beating in" your tiles will help you get them level with each other.

Use caution, however, when smacking your tiles with a rubber mallet. I recently smashed a perfectly good tile into three jagged pieces when I got a bit too enthusiastic with the mallet. Be sure to use a consistent tamping pattern. My choice is middle, corner, corner, corner, corner. You'll find what works best for you by trial and error as you start your tile job.

Happy tamping!

This is Tip #2, Jan 6 2009

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