Tips and advice for tiling your patio
Patio tiles can transform an outdoor space and add a touch of class to any garden design. Correctly installed patio tiles will last for years, so here are a few tips on how to lay a perfect patio.
Preparing to tile your patio
A properly tiled patio is a great
asset to any garden
To get the best possible patio, hire a professional. They will always make sure to prepare the area before laying down your patio tiles. Unprepared ground can drastically shorten the life of your tiled patio and potentially become dangerous. To adequately prepare the ground you must:
- Drain the area with a professionally approved pump to make sure the land area is dry.
- Smooth out and even the ground after aeration.
- Improve your tile's grip by adding some coarse sand over the flattened area.
After following these steps you are now ready to tile your patio – if you have any doubts, hire a professional patio installer.
Dry-set the patio
Before applying adhesive, place your tiles across the patio to make sure you have an adequate number and to see if you can achieve the tiled patio design you were after. Dry-setting is invaluable because any mistakes can be easily rectified, and it allows you to see how best to arrange the patio tiles.
Applying the mortar
Applying a thin mortar mixture over the surface area will act like a base coat. Then, using the jagged side of a trowel, comb the surface using long, stretched strokes to evenly apply the mortar. After evenly spreading the mortar you are now ready to set your patio tiles.
Setting your patio tiles
When applying each patio tile give them a slight twist, ensuring you don’t slide them into position as this can cause bumps in your layer of adhesive. If the patio tiles are not flush together, then use plastic spacers to separate the tiles. Try and use a hammer with a beating block to gently knock the tiles into alignment.
Grouting your new patio
Hire a patio tiler for a professional finish
Before applying grout to the patio, ensure that the adhesive and tiles are dry and set. This can usually take up to a day or two. Using a grouting float, evenly spread the grout into all gaps, ensuring you have an even amount over the whole surface. Once you have finished applying an even layer of grout, wash off any excess from the surface and allow to dry.
Caulking your tiled patio
After cleaning your patio, you will be able to see any gaps or joints that have came up. Run a steady line of caulk over these joints to seal the joints. One important thing is to make sure the colour of the caulk or sealant matches the colour of your patio tiles!
If you have any problems or need assistance in tiling your patio then maybe hiring a professional tiler would be a good idea to make sure you have a high standard tiled patio.
