Tile laying tool: types and purpose. Minimum tool kit for laying tiles Tools and tools for laying tiles

It is quite possible to perform a number of actions when laying tiles quickly, efficiently and without a mountain of garbage. A successful final result depends on many factors: a well-thought-out design project, the availability of consumables in sufficient quantities and an arsenal of reliable tools. The article provides an example of a professional tiler's set, which is the minimum necessary for working with tiles. After all, only a rubber mallet, bubble level and one spatula will not be enough.

The main set is used when laying on different surfaces, such as floors and walls. They are necessary when working with different types of facing material. We bring to your attention the TILE FROM THE PLANT of various categories:, and. You can buy any product from the catalog by order or in a comfortable Kerama Marazzi store (Moscow, Budyonny Ave., 27).

Mixer

During a budget repair, instead of a mixer, a duet of a whisk and a drill is used to mix the adhesive mixture. But such an aggregate unevenly distributes dry components, and creates lumps. In the mixer (at the minimum load of the electric motor), the rotations pass through the gearbox. The mixer mixer is large, heavy and securely fixed. Low speeds ideally mix all components, creating a homogeneous substance. The price of a construction mixer is affordable (domestic ones are 2 times cheaper than foreign ones, but they are not inferior in quality).

Other advantages of the mixer:

• With the chuck, the mixer can drill holes;
• if the volumes are small, then the mixer is a good alternative to the concrete mixer, and it can be used in the preparation of a mixture for plaster.

tile cutter

The second priority tool of every professional tiler is a small but very important tile cutter. Modern production offers two main types of tile cutters:

Its characteristics:

1. Inexpensive and easy to use small tile cutter. It will fit a beginner at a time, if the amount of work is small.
   • suitable for tiles with sides up to 40 cm;
   • thick blade cuts poorly (weak guide tubes that quickly rust are not suitable for frequent cutting for marking);
   • play of the cutting diamond wheel up to 4 mm (does not allow for precise cutting).
2. A professional tile cutter is 5 times more expensive than the first time. But such a cost pays off with constant use in the first year. The best building tools of this type are made in Italy and Austria.

The characteristics of a quality tile cutter are impressive:

• The service life of the cutting wheel is designed for 800 square meters. m tiles;
• when laying up to 100 sq. m per month is enough for almost a year;
• lines when cutting correspond to a given level;
• it is suitable for dense porcelain stoneware and floor cladding;
• it cuts precisely even clinker step sheets (thickness up to 12 mm).

The Chinese analogue cannot cope with such a volume and fails after 2 weeks.

wire cutters

For accurate work with a cut of a ceramic sheet, you will need wire cutters. For example, if the edge of the cut remains uneven. This is possible when the cutting wheel of the tile cutter is dull or the material of the burnt ceramics crumbles. Pliers are divided into two types.

1. Strong cutting pliers with victorious teeth that can handle any tile. A solid cutting part is only necessary if the tile cutter is unable to make a straight cut.
2. Narrow wire cutters, often called "parrots". They are less commonly used, but sometimes irreplaceable. For example, to create round holes for sockets, pipes and plumbing.

Bulgarian

The original name of this instrument is a turbine, but among the people everyone calls it a "grinder". This is the same necessary thing in laying tiles as a mixer and a tile cutter. In general, these three types of tools are the most expensive when creating a professional set for making money on laying tiles (up to 90% of the total). Important criteria when choosing a new angle grinder are:

• grinder power (about 700 watts is enough);
• quality discs for cutting tiles;
• internal components (bearings, rotor, gears) must be of high quality;
• housing must be securely fastened.

If you decide to constantly use the grinder, then practical advice will not hurt you: tie the key to change the disks to the power cable. And one more thing - Chinese-made grinders do not serve more than 2-3 years.

Joint Filling Tools

The final stage of laying any tile is jointing or grouting. To fill the tile joint, you will need a whole list of necessary tools:

• a small plastic bucket for grouting (up to 5 l);
• trowel spatula (up to 25 cm long);
• rubber gloves (the grout contains abrasive components that are harmful to the skin);
• wear-resistant rollers (for laying mosaic tiles);
• felt mitt (for the final stage, when you want to remove the dry residue of grouting).

To completely remove excess grout, there are several options for tools. After the grout dries, a visible coating remains on the surface of the tile, which can be removed with felt - a special grater with a fabric coating. With the unevenness of the still wet grout, a washcloth grater can also easily cope. It is useful for quick-drying grout in the conditions of the scorching sun.

Additionally, at the cleaning stage you will need:

• bucket for clean water (10 l);
• dense foam rubber;
• sponge with handle;
• baths for the mixture.

Other types of tools are not so essential when working with tiles, but still come in handy. For example, a flat plastic spatula for leveling the surface of the seams. To eliminate voids under the tiles, you need a rubber mallet. The size of the rubber hammer can be any. But if you want to achieve results, choose a rubber mallet weighing at least 1 kg. You can use a rubber hammer for many years in a row and it will not be demolished.

To make the final step (applying the grout) quick, assemble a complete set: 2 buckets for the mixture and water, as well as a bucket for preparing the color shade, several spatulas (a small rubber spatula, a large one and one plastic spatula) and special sponges for removing residue.

Building level and other marking tools

A set of auxiliary tools facilitates and speeds up the process of laying tiles, especially when it comes to a large amount of professional, rather than amateur work. Consider the following part of the tiler set:

• To create accurate markings, you cannot do without a classic tape measure.
• A special bubble level with which all parallel lines will be smooth. Also, the level is useful at the stage of leveling the walls for cladding. You can use a laser level, which gives you more control over all the lines (horizontals, verticals and diagonals) in a geometric pattern. The water level costs like a tile cutter, and a large square can be used instead.
• Squares. A small one (chrome-plated, with raised numbers) will be needed for marking holes on the tiles, and a large one for tiles on the floor. To build a right angle when cutting, you can use simple calculations (the Pythagorean theorem) and an ordinary tape measure. An important nuance is that painted squares do not last very long.
• Paint cord. For laying the facing material, a special chopping cord is used, with which a central center line is created. But in work it can be replaced by a laser.
• Wedges (aluminum rules). It is reasonable to use them at the preparation stage (when the surface is leveled for laying) and at the final stage (to fix the position of the tile). A large wedge up to 2.5 m long is needed to create a screed, to apply plaster on lighthouses. Medium, 1.5 m long, is used to control a flat laying surface both on the floor and on the wall.

Tile laying tools

The most important elements in a professional set are used at all stages of laying any tile, regardless of location (walls or floor). The list includes:

• trowel in the form of a spatula;
• a spatula with a comb (notched), the edges of which are selected according to the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe tile - for example, 3-5 mm for a canvas with a side of less than 20 cm, 10 mm for sides from 30 cm;
• Shaulsky's bucket is indispensable at the moment when you need to quickly apply a layer of plaster or glue;
• scraper to remove excess glue and plaster on the screed;
• a set of plastic wedges, crosses (width no more than 3 mm, but a width of 1.5 mm is suitable for laying without seams);
• carrying tee (at least 30 m long);
• lighting fixture 500 watts.

Professional tilers use in their work not only dimensional tools like a grinder, but always carry small, but necessary items:

• pencil or marker;
• construction knife;
• broom (for convenient application of a primer on the floor);
• brush for quick cleaning of tools from glue.

Means of protection

• Goggles will come in handy when working with a grinder at the moment when you need to cut ceramics. They protect the eye from small hard fragments that cannot be removed without medical assistance. To prevent the glasses from becoming cloudy over time, they should not be touched with dusty hands and washed only with water pressure.
• A respirator is required when removing the old cladding and when laying a new one. A layer of dust on the screed that remains after grinding the surface, sand and small debris when cleaning or working with drywall fill the surrounding air. In addition, the insulation in low-quality drywall contains toxic substances. Therefore, a respirator and a replacement set of filters should be added to the set.
• Gloves. It is not so comfortable for the hands to work in them, but they reliably protect the skin of the hands. To work with small objects, there are special gloves with cutouts for fingers.

For interior decoration with tiles and porcelain stoneware, you can not do without a special one. Professional installers spend not only time on laying, but also a significant amount of money to prepare for it. So, for example, construction teams specializing in laying large format tiles are forced to spend at least 200,000 rubles to complete the work, to purchase specialized equipment. Now it is quite clear that the instrumental training of a specialist determines the cost of his work on laying tiles. And if a master comes to you with one comb and a manual tile cutter, then you are most likely an amateur than a professional. It can be said that the masters are met by the tool for laying tiles, and only then by the costume.

Tools for laying tiles are conditionally divided into the following groups:

• Manual
• Electric

Stages of work with tiles:

• Preliminary (this includes tools that are not used for laying itself, a tile cutter, for example, is needed to cut tiles, but it itself is not used in the process of gluing the material to the surface)
• Laying (for example, a hammer and a spatula, these are typical tools for laying tiles)
• Auxiliary (for example, sponges, buckets, gloves, that is, those that are needed for laying, but they themselves do not participate in the process of laying tiles).

Due to these devices, it is possible to carry out laying work easier and more reliably. Masters "work out" their tool, looking for a reliable, convenient and helping in laying tiles for more than one day. In this environment, the advice of other craftsmen is valued and certain brands and manufacturers are taken into account. This market for tools is a great source of income for many, from making tools and selling them to doing work.

You should not trust the opinion of anyone about the tool, maybe he bought a spatula, and he dug the ground with it, evaluate the opinion only of those who really proved their professionalism, either by the objects in which he took part as a stacker, or by the finished work. And never look at the cost, for example, a spatula from Soviet times still serves reliably, but it cost a penny, and foreign options, even expensive, even reliable in appearance, can fall apart after 2 installations.

In secret! All tile installers have their own set of tile tools. You can do without a mallet, using the edge of the palm for this, but this is unlikely to provide high-quality styling. But all this comes to the master by experience. Of course, you need to get used to the tool, because to work with every necessary one you need to adapt.

Detailed information about each tool

Gloves (rubber or rubberized)

Your hands are the most valuable tool in the tiling job. They need to be protected first. When gluing tiles to epoxy or mastic, gloves must be used without fail.

Roulette

Measurements must be carried out during any laying work, also for marking both indoors and cutting tiles.

At the moment you can use:

• Mechanical
• laser

Strange as it may seem, measuring with a mechanical tape measure is often more accurate, especially in a small room.

Construction square

This tool is necessary for marking at an angle, as well as for determining the correctness (perpendicularity) of the corners of the room.

Chalk and pencil

Visibility - determines the simplicity and correctness of installation. Chalk and pencil will help you with this, with their help they make markings, put risks and even write down calculations on the surface. All these markings will then hide under the glue and tiles.

Cord-mooring and pins

The strange name should not mislead you, since the mooring cord is just a twisted cord or rope, with a thickness of 3 mm or more. It is stretched to create even rows, it is used as a guide. The pins are used for pulling the mooring cord and they are initially driven into the base at the beginning of work.

tile cutter

Cut tiles with this tool. If you don't plan on becoming a professional tile maker, you can buy a manual tile cutter, just pay attention to its size and the size of the tile you purchased for installation. It is important that this tool cuts the material both in length and in width. one of the most expensive devices in the tiling business.

glass cutter

It is used for cutting thin tiles (shards). Service life is limited by the sharpness of the blade.

Bulgarian

Where you cannot cut tiles with a glass cutter or tile cutter, a grinder with a dry cutter will help. A circle or rectangle is the easiest to make with this tool.

Hacksaw

Masters quite often use a hacksaw with a diamond or tungsten string. The use of a hacksaw takes a lot of time, but at the same time, in critical places of the cut, they rarely do without it. Even plumbers use a hacksaw to carefully approach pipes for inspection. After such cutting, it is easiest to glue the tile in the same place.

Ballerina on tiles

Ballerina is a special device for cutting round holes in tiles or porcelain stoneware.

Pliers/nippers

Level

Using a level, check the evenness of the surface and the correct laying. In work, you will need levels of different lengths, up to two 2 meters, and from 20 cm. But you can check the work of the wizard using a mobile phone and a special application - a level.

Drill with nozzles

A mixer attachment is a special device for mixing glue.

In hot weather, mixing glue with this tool is very convenient. After all, you need to mix in small batches due to the fact that the glue dries quickly. Doing this manually takes a very long time, but with the help of a mixer it’s easy to mix, lay a small area and repeat the operation again.

plumb line

A plumb bob is a tool that represents a cone on a rope or cord. With it, the accuracy of vertical laying is determined. Nowadays, this tool is more often replaced by a laser level.

Bucket

A bucket is a container for mixing the adhesive. It should be deep and wide, for the convenience of mixing glue and scooping it up with a trowel. Now for sale a specialized container for laying tiles.

brushes

Paint brushes are used to prime or dust surfaces, or to clean or wet the back of tiles.

Spatulas

Spatulas are the main tool for applying glue. Spatulas, like a wall, allow you to apply the adhesive very carefully, to the desired thickness, thus increasing the adhesion of the adhesive between the tile and the base.

The types of spatulas are as follows:

• A smooth spatula is used for initial application of adhesive or leveling;
• Serrated, for corrugating glue. The thicker the tile, the larger the teeth;
• Rubber, for grouting. available in different configurations depending on the application. By the way, no one knows how it was invented and when they began to use it. But this device is really very important in the case of a master stacker.

Master OK

A trowel is the one with which the adhesive solution is applied and distributed, it will especially help for applying glue in corners and other hard-to-reach places.

crosses

Special plastic crosses are inserted between the tiles and thus they create the same distance between the tiles. Today, special systems for laying are recommended, which have the same joint thickness and laying strength when the glue dries.

Mallet or mallet with a rubberized knob

To better fix the tile, it should be deposited in glue. It is these tile tools that will help you with this.

Cloth or rag

An indispensable assistant in work, wipe hands, remove excess glue, wash the surface from glue and wipe the tool for cutting ceramic tiles, as well as final cleaning of the surface.

Now you know the most important? Of course, at each stage, different things are important in their own way.

Finishing surfaces in your home can take a lot of time and effort if you do not use the available tools. In this case, we are talking about laying tiles. Before carrying out such work, sometimes there is no need to purchase expensive tools. Experts say that you can do without a number of specific elements.

Basic tools

The tool for today is being prepared almost according to the same scheme as a few years ago. However, some modern devices have been added to the generally accepted list. If you want to prepare thoroughly for the installation of tiles, then you should stock up:

• level;
• crosses for seams;
• mixer;
• spatula;
• mallet;
• tile cutting tools.

It is recommended to divide the process into several stages, this will allow you to structure the work and decide which tools to purchase and which ones it is better to refuse to use. Surface preparation may involve removing the old coating and leveling the base surfaces. You can remove old tiles using a perforator or hand chisel. The first is complemented by a chisel. You can get rid of the mortar layer with an angle grinder, after that the concrete is covered with a primer, and then the master should start puttying. In this case, tools for preparing the plaster mix are used, this should include spatulas and a level for laying tiles.

Before installing a concrete screed, a spiked roller should be prepared, with which it will be possible to rid the solution layer of air bubbles. carried out with the help of glue, but if you decide to use the finished mixture, then you can type it with a spatula. Dry powders are preliminarily diluted with water and stirred with a construction mixer.

When carrying out work on laying tiles, one cannot do without a tool with which one could cut the material, while a manual tile cutter is usually used, prices for which start at 225 rubles. Sometimes on sale you can find tile cutters for 900 rubles, such a tool is suitable for cutting tiles in everyday life, and it will last much longer compared to a cheap counterpart. The installation of tiles is also carried out with the help of a comb spatula, which can be used to level the mortar, ensuring its better adhesion to the surface. But when forming seams, it is necessary to use crosses.

Alignment tools

Laying tiles usually involves leveling work. If this step is neglected, then you will spend too much glue. For this stage, you will need a spatula for laying tiles, with which the master will apply plaster to the walls, leveling the surface.

It will be possible to check the evenness of the floor and walls using a level, but a plumb line will allow you to identify and eliminate vertical deviations. You can level the concrete when laying the concrete mortar using the rule.

How to choose a comb

It would seem that the tile comb is a simple tool, but it can have teeth of various shapes, which confuses some consumers. For example, to obtain combs, the size of which can vary from 6 to 12 mm, a tool with square teeth should be used. But if you want to get ridges no more than 12 mm on the mounting cement mixture, then you should choose a device with semicircular teeth. At such an impressive thickness, the path will turn out smoother, it will not fall off if the cross section is a semicircle, not a square. This comb is used for applying synthetic adhesives with high spreadability, in this case the thickness of the layer does not matter.

The described tool for laying tiles may also have semicircular teeth. Such a device is recommended for applying elastic adhesives, the layer thickness of which will not exceed 4 mm. Such a comb is suitable for PVC tiles.

Spatula selection

When preparing a tool for laying tiles, you must take care of the availability of a set of spatulas. The master should have several of them, namely:

• straight;
• jagged;
• rubber.

The first variety has a compact size and is intended for taking glue from a container. A straight spatula allows you to apply the composition to the edge of the tile, floor or wall. A notched trowel will be needed to form grooves on the surface of the tile, this will improve the quality of the masonry and even out the layer of the mixture. At the final stage of applying grout to the seams, you will need a rubber spatula, which is soft and compact in size.

Tile cutting tool

The prices for which were mentioned above will be needed for cutting tiles. Additionally, you can prepare a grinder and a glass cutter, which are in the arsenal of almost every home craftsman. Using manual models of tile cutters, you will cut the material with a diamond cutter on a bearing or rollers.

Electric models have more advanced capabilities, because they cut tiles with the help of To form holes, you can use a conventional drill, which is supplemented with nozzles suitable for working with concrete, glass and ceramics. Among them, it is necessary to highlight the crown, which will allow you to make recesses for switches and sockets. Glazed ceramics will succumb to the so-called ballerina, which is designed to work with glass.

Tile fitting

When assembling the tile laying tool, you must prepare as well as the leveling system. It will be possible to adjust the position of the products with the help of a rubber mallet, which is complemented by a wooden block. With their help, the elements are tapped on the sides and top. The solution is then distributed over the entire area of ​​the product. At the stage of leveling the surface, you can not do without a level, as well as a leveling system, the last of which is designed for large elements. The system consists of a set of wedges and spacers, and is used for horizontal planes.

Preparing tools for grouting

A sponge for grouting tiles is not the only thing you need at the final stage of work. It is important to prepare:

• rubber spatula;
• paint roller;
• bucket;
• clean rags;
• stitching;
• plywood.

The work can be divided into several stages. To begin with, the grout is mixed, the solution is left to saturate, re-mixed and applied. In conclusion, you can remove the excess. When mixing the solution, it is best to act manually, because when using a stirrer, there is a possibility of oxygen bubbles entering the solution. As a result, the mixture will weaken.

If the amount of work is large enough, then it is recommended to set the drill at 300 rpm, leaving the solution after mixing for 9 minutes. The grout is applied using a special grater, with which the master should rub the composition into the seams. It is necessary to repeat this procedure several times to achieve the density of application.

What a curiosity: a grout bag

If the tile hammer is quite a traditional tool, like all the others described above, then only a few have heard of the grout bag. This device is a bag that resembles a pastry bag. A tip is attached to it, the diameter of which should be equal to the width of the seam. You can use this approach to grouting when the cladding is difficult to handle manually and requires a lot of effort. First you need to process the horizontal, and then the vertical seams, leaving the solution for 30 minutes so that the grout sets. Only then can you start removing the excess. In this case, a hard brush is used for cleaning, because any other will not be as effective. With some jewelry work, you can’t do without such a bag, which saves a huge amount of time.

Removing excess grout

Now you know what you need to lay the tiles, but it is also important to take care of the tools that will come in handy to remove the excess. For this, a damp sponge and a container of water are usually used. Excess should be disposed of in a circular motion, while it is important to keep the sponge clean by rinsing it in water more often. The dry method involves the use of a special joint or a small stick with a sharpened end. The cleaned seam should not be convex, it should be made straight.

Conclusion

The modern market offers the consumer a variety of finishing materials for every taste and budget, but ceramic tiles are still one of the most popular among alternative solutions. Over time, it does not lose its appearance and can be updated by grouting.

If you want to do the installation work yourself, then you need to prepare all the tools and materials. After all, only in this case you will not encounter difficulties if, for example, you need to drill a hole in the tile for a socket or switch.

Covering floor surfaces is an activity that requires skills and great ability to work. Therefore, this work is one of the highest paid specialties. It is necessary to go through a long course of study under the guidance of an experienced master, then sweat yourself, achieving high quality and the necessary results.

But in addition to the above criteria, one more element is required to perform at a high level - this is the presence of a professional set of tools.

The efficiency, quality, volume and speed of laying the floor with a ceramic coating no less depends on it. But with all the variety of instruments and tools, the main thing is not to get lost in it, but to choose the most necessary. Otherwise, a lot can be superfluous, yes, and it is not easy to wear it. Consider the most rational set of tools for a master tiler.

Mixer (mixer)

What is the difference between a mixer and a conventional drill with a nozzle? The mixer is special, which provides for the optimal ratio of the speed of rotation of the working body and the power of the electric motor, unlike a drill. The mixer creates the desired consistency of the solution without causing excessive load on the motor, like a drill. With intensive work, the drill may soon fail. When choosing, it is not necessary to give preference to the imported version of the mixer. In terms of reliability, domestic is not inferior to foreign, and its cost is several times less. Another advantage of the mixer is the ability to install a drill using a special chuck, ballerina or a small glue mixer.

With small amounts of mortar, the mixer completely replaces the concrete mixer for preparing a mortar for plaster or screeds. All this can be prepared in special containers.

The next important tool for a tiler is a tile cutter. Existing species can be divided into three groups. The tool is not for professionals, which is rarely used and not when mounting large areas. He has many shortcomings. For example, the tile cut is no more than 40 cm, the guide tubes are fragile, often break and rust. The cutting edge has a backlash, so it will not be possible to get perfectly identical tiles. The only advantage of such a cutter is its cost, which in the process of work easily turns into a disadvantage.

A special tile cutter is five times more expensive than the first option. Its price varies within 400 dollars. But if you deal with laying tiles, then it can be recouped within one year. Leading companies engaged in the manufacture of such tools are located in Austria and Italy. A special element of the tile cutter is the cutting part in the form of a wheel. Usually, manufacturers give a guarantee for the impeccable operation of the wheel, designed for 800 square meters. meters of material. And in terms of time, this is equal to a year of work, provided that up to 100 square meters are laid per month. meters of tiles. In the future, such a product can be used for cutting ordinary walls. For example, a Chinese-made tile cutter should work well for no more than two weeks. While the branded tool does an excellent job with tiles for steps up to 12 mm thick.

The Bulgarian is included in the package of the tiler, as one of the important mechanisms in the performance of construction work on laying tile materials, after the tile cutter and mixer. These three instruments occupy the top positions in terms of value, accounting for almost 90% of the costs.

An additional tool for the production of a tiler are wire cutters. When the cutting tool does not cope with the burnt tiles, the wire cutters help out a lot. They must be powerful, with victorious teeth, and not necessarily with a metal cutting surface. Their task is to break the tile along the cut made by the cutter. For fine work, when it is necessary to make openings for switches, sockets or holes for pipes, use narrow wire cutters, which are called "parrots" in the slang of tilers. They can also come in handy when refinishing tiles when large wire cutters are no longer useful.

Tools for filling joints with mortar

When the tile material is laid, it is necessary to fill the inter-tile space, that is, the seams. In this case, additional tools are used to fill the seams. You must have: a two-liter plastic tank, a spatula for grouting, a rubber mallet, rubber and felt gloves, a grater (washcloth), foam rubber (polyurethane foam).

So, rubber gloves protect the skin of the hands from the effects of chemical additives that make up the solution. The same cement, for example, dries the skin very much, so hand protection will obviously not be superfluous. With small volumes of tiles, gloves can be used or dispensed with - this is at your own discretion.

The most optimal version of a rubber spatula has a size of 11x25 cm. When a tool with a smaller working surface is offered, it is better to refuse - the grouting time increases. A quality spatula can last up to 10 years.

Plastic is also produced, with which you can even adjust the level of the laid tiles. But there is a nuance here. When pressing on one edge of the product, the opposite inevitably rises. This can lead to a general disruption of the even surface. Therefore, the use of such a tool is controversial.

The rubber hammer should not be very heavy, its weight should not exceed 1 kg. It is necessary for tapping tiles. This causes more reliable adhesion to the solution and removal of air.

A washcloth or grater is used to clean up excess grout when the grout is thoroughly dry. It is especially needed in the warm season - the solution dries instantly and, so that it does not harden, it must be quickly removed. The sponge used to remove the cement mortar should measure 14x11x6 cm. If it is not possible to purchase rubber, use foam rubber, but its dimensions can vary within 20x15 cm. The most suitable type of foam rubber is coarse-grained. It makes it possible to qualitatively remove the remains of the solution when washing the material.

The next set of tools includes the use of durable plastic baths, two wear-resistant rollers, a sponge with a handle and a bath with a capacity of up to 13 liters. This rather voluminous set can be simplified, since its transportation takes up a lot of space. Therefore, only a roller can become the most necessary, and instead of baths, they get a wide bucket. especially important when laying mosaics. Polyurethane foam or foam rubber is used for finishing and grinding seams. This is where a bucket of water comes in handy.

Felt gloves are used at the final stage of work. After the grout dries and general cleaning, a thin layer of plaque remains on the tile. To eliminate it, felt gloves are used.

For a final and quick cleaning of a new ceramic tile floor, you will need a factory mop with double and replaceable rubber rollers. Its length is at least 50 cm.

Other tools of the master tiler can be called additional and auxiliary, but without which it is also impossible to obtain an acceptable result. These include, first of all, measuring instruments: bubble level and tape measure. A high-quality bubble level is the main condition for a perfectly flat surface.

To obtain right angles, it is necessary to have two coal rulers - large and small. A larger square is used when marking material on the floor. In the absence of it, it is necessary to carry out arithmetic calculations using the Pythagorean theorem and a roulette wheel. A smaller square is needed to mark holes on the tile. It is desirable that it be made of chrome steel and have a scale with embossed digitization. Colored rulers are short-lived, the paint will soon lag behind, and the numbers will be invisible. In extreme cases, when there is no square, you can use the tile itself to create a right angle.

Paint or chopping line

This tool is extremely necessary when the surface of the tiled floor is quite significant. It is with the help of the fishing line that the first row is beaten off and the first tile is laid. Modern technologies make it possible to abandon such an archaic, but, nevertheless, important element as a cord. Today, craftsmen use laser.

Among builders, the water level is also an indispensable success. It is an ordinary transparent medical hose into which water is poured. But the laser mentioned above also replaces the water level, which allows marking quickly and efficiently. Convenience is also one of the advantages of high technology, the only problem is the cost.

Of great importance when laying tiles are the rules, with an emphasis on the letter "and". They play the role of elements that level the base for laying and the final control of the tile after its installation.

Wedges. Large - up to 2.5 m. It is necessary for screeding and plastering along the beacons, as well as for the final leveling of an uneven cement base with glue. Medium - up to 1.5 m. Such a wedge is a tool for controlling the level of masonry, both on the walls and on the floor.

Tile installation tools

Master OK. A notched trowel (10 mm) is required when installing tiles with a side of 300 mm or more. It (4-5 mm) is used when mounting products with dimensions less than 200 mm. Shaulsky's bucket is convenient for plastering walls and tiling on a larger area. rubber can also be replaced with wood, but it is necessary to work with it extremely carefully.

The scraper is used to clean the tiles from dried building materials. And also, if necessary, remove the installed tile with the help of undermining.

An ordinary broom is used when priming the floor. To reduce the consumption of the primer, it can be diluted with water in a ratio equal to 20% more than when diluting the concentrate. In this case, the operating time is significantly reduced, and the need to rinse the brush is eliminated.

Set of plastic crosses and wedges. Their width is up to 3 mm, but if the seams need to be made invisible, then the width of the crosses should not exceed 1.5 mm. Portable tee 30 m long - this value is designed for an outlet that is far away. The carrier has several 500 watt bulbs. Good lighting is essential in order to see all the fine details while working. This helps to produce a better fit. After all, when facing, this light will be needed.

An electric tee, special construction pencils, felt-tip pens, a knife, a fly brush, a priming roller will come in handy. It is also necessary to use a brush to remove glue residue from the tool. Often this tool is given little importance. But it is a very serious element in the work. After all, if you do not clean, then soon all the equipment that interacts with the glue will become unusable.

Protective materials

First of all, you need safety goggles. They are especially useful in the process of working with an impeller, when cutting tile products. Such work is a very dangerous operation. After all, parts of the tile can be so small that imperceptibly getting into the eye, they can severely damage it. Therefore, glasses are simply not enough here. If you feel pain in your eyes, you should immediately consult a doctor. Glasses also need to be taken care of. Keep them in a special case. Otherwise, upon contact with sand, the glass will quickly deteriorate.

For fast and high-quality work, you will need a respirator. Without it, laying tiles will be very difficult. After all, it is forbidden to sweep the floor, especially if a heater was used when installing drywall. Pay attention to filters. They must be of high quality. But they need to be changed in time. Working in old filters will only harm the human body.

Gloves. Of course, it is not very convenient to carry out work operations in gloves. Thus, the efficiency of labor is markedly reduced. And this is not in the hands of the master. But modern specialists have found a way out of this situation - they work in gloves with cut off fingers. In winter, it still protects from the cold, and in summer it reduces the area of ​​​​interaction between glue and skin.

Tools for tile work can be divided into the following types:

- measuring tool;

- tool for preparatory work;

- a tool for preparing and applying glue;

- cutting tool;

- a tool for finishing operations;

- expendable materials.

The purpose of using a measuring tool is to ensure an even, horizontally and vertically consistent tile laying. For this are used:

Building level. Used for tiling

long building level (spirit level). It is used to mark the surface for tiling and to control the horizontal laying of rows of tiles. The length should be at least a meter, and preferably 2 meters. A more than adequate replacement for it is the laser level, but for those who know how to use it;

Both spatulas and spatulas should be metal. On plastic spatulas, the glue will bind in the teeth.

Alignment of the adhesive is carried out using plaster trowels (trowels). A paint brush is suitable for wetting the surface.

Cutting tool

It is intended for giving to a tile of the necessary sizes and forms. This is a tile cutter for straight cutting tiles. Glazed tiles can be cut with a glass cutter or a carbide-tipped turning tool, after which the cut strips are broken off with a special gripper.

A circular drill (ballerina) will be needed to cut holes in the tile for pipes.

For figured processing of tiles, nippers with pointed jaws are needed. Before breaking off pieces of tiles with them, the tiles should be cut with a grinder.

A hammer with a pointed counter-beater will also come in handy. They can also chip off pieces of tile along the notch. With the same hammer, you will have to hammer in nails and pins for hanging marking cords and plumb lines.

The edges of the cut or chipped parts of the tile are leveled with a carborundum bar or a grinding wheel.

Finishing tool

The tile is set down using a rubber mallet or a wooden block measuring about 10x15x3 cm, by lightly tapping it with a hammer. You need an awl to cut out the crosses. Experts recommend getting an S-shaped hook: it is convenient to insert it into the groove between the glued tiles and, turning, put the hook under the incorrectly glued tile (for example, sunken too deep, or, conversely, protruding from the general row) and peel it off.

To seal the seams, you will need a profile spatula, a knife, a syringe for applying sealant. To grout the seams, you will need a rubber spatula or a rubber trowel, a sponge.

Expendable materials

Adhesive mortar, sealant or other joint compound, jointing mortar. You will also need crosses - with their help, the size of the groove between the tiles is maintained. Flannel, rags - for wiping tiles.