Tiling News

We’ve completed the Mapei section of our information hub. Here’s a quick break down of all the products with added.

Mapei Adhesives

Adesilex P10 Adesilex P9 Adesilex P4 ...Granirapid Isolastic Kerabond Keraflex Keraflex Maxi ...Latex Plus Mapei Rapid Set Ultraflex S2 Quick

Mapei Grouts

Ultracolor Ultracolor Plus ...

Mapei Levelling Compounds

...Ultraplan Ultraplan Maxi

We’ve completed the BAL section of our information hub. Here’s a quick break down of all the products with added.

BAL Adhesives

BAL Green Star BAL Blue Star BAL White Star ...BAL Gold Star ...BAL Single Part Flexible BAL Rapidset Flexible BAL PTB Flexible ...

BAL Grouts

BAL Microflex Wall Grout BAL Microflex Wide Joint Grout BAL Grout BAL Superflex Wall Grout BAL Superflex Wide Joint Grout BAL Wide Joint Grout ...BAL Microcolour Wall Grout BAL Microcolour Wide Joint Grout

BAL Levelling Compounds

Just a quick mention for our latest members of the Tilers Edinburgh section of our tiler directory. Diamond Tiling Edinburgh [t] 07814587066 [e] giubs@hotmail.com [w] www.tiling-tiler-edinburgh.com Tilerspace profile

Just a quick mention for our latest members of the Tilers Sheffield section of our tiler directory. Baxter's Tiling and Plastering Solutions Sheffield [t] 0791 995 8816 [e] chrisbaxter1984@msn.com Tilerspace profile

Just a quick mention for our latest members of the Tilers Oxford section of our tiler directory. Tile Master Oxford, Oxfordshire [t] 01865 430232 [e] franco@tile-master.co.uk [w] www.tile-master.co.uk Tilerspace profile

We’ve teamed up with some of the UK’s best tilers, with an aim to start writing some easy to follow but professional guides to tiling. The guides will be aimed at professional tilers of all experience levels, after all you can learn something new everyday let’s hope these guides are no different. If you’d like to suggest some topics to be covered please use the ‘contact us’ page, to offer your suggestions.

Our directory of tilers is slowly increasing week by week; why slowly? Because our criteria to get listed even though we’re free is much stricter than others. Quality over quantity every time for use. Here’s a few direct links to the directory pages Tilers Aberdeen Tilers Alnwick Tilers Ascot Tilers Banbury Tilers Basingstoke Tilers Bedford Tilers Bedlington Tilers Birmingham Tilers Birkenhead Tilers Blackpool Tilers Bradford Tilers Bristol Tilers Cambridge Tilers Cheadle Tilers Chingford Tilers Colchester Tilers Congleton Tilers Cleveland Tilers Crewe Tilers Doncaster Tilers Durham Tilers Edinburgh Tilers Exeter Tilers Falkirk Tilers Fleet Tilers Glasgow Tilers Guisborough Tilers Hartlepool Tilers Huddersfield Tilers Hull Tilers Kingston-upon-Thames Tilers Leeds Tilers Lincoln Tilers Liverpool Tilers London Tilers Loughton Tilers Luton Tilers Macclesfield Tilers Maldon Tilers Manchester Tilers Milton Keynes Tilers Morpeth Tilers Narborough Tilers Newark Tilers Newcastle Tilers Northampton Tilers Nottingham Tilers Oxford Tilers Peterborough Tilers Plymouth Tilers Preston Tilers Reading Tilers Rochester Tilers Rochford Tilers Runcorn Tilers Sandbach Tilers Sheffield Tilers Southampton Tilers Southport Tilers Soham Tilers Stamford Tilers Stevenage Tilers Tonbridge Tilers Tottenham Tilers Warrington Tilers Widnes Tilers Worcester Joshua ‘Jeff’ Nicholls

We’ve recently updated the original Aquamixtilestone.co.uk website to be more focussed on specific tasks. As a result the site is now four interconnected sites; Tile Cleaning, Stone Sealing, Grout Colourant and Stone Polishing. Naturally we’re still able to offer great prices and service; same day dispatch when ordered before 4pm and next working day delivery with the UK *Stock Permitting. If you don’t really know that much about Aquamix products then you’re in for a pleasant surprise as these cleaners, problem solvers and sealers really have got to be the best choice for the professional tiler. Most of the products are water based so less fumes, far fewer headaches and all of the products are the result of extensive research and testing. Gone are the days when you dreaded opening the sealer at the end of the job! For more information please take a look at the sites here Tile Cleaning | Stone Sealing | Stone Polishing | Grout Colourant Joshua ‘Jeff’ Nicholls

We’ve been steadily adding more information on adhesives and grouts from all the major manufacturers. The aim is to create a central information hub for tilers. Who knows maybe you’ll be working in a different part of the country and need to use a different brand of adhesive, well you can read up about it here. Here’s what we’ve added so far Bal Adhesives & Grout Biscem Adhesives & Grout Mapei Adhesives & Grout PCI Adhesives & Grout Weber Adhesives & Grout Rubi Tiling Tools Joshua ‘Jeff’ Nicholls

The UK's biggest tile and wood floor retailer Topps Tiles has cut its half-year dividend in response to tougher economic conditions. Topps said the change in its dividend policy - resulting in a reduced payment to shareholders of 3p a share from 3.75p a year ago - reflected a "more prudent approach" in the current climate. It also reported a 3% drop in like-for-like revenues since the start of April, weaker than the 0.9% fall for the first half of the financial year. Pre-tax profits for the six months were £15.8 million, down from £18.7 million in 2007. Topps said the business had shown resilience in the face of weakening consumer spending, with revenues including shop openings ahead 4% at £106.3 million. It added: "Whilst the board does not anticipate the environment changing dramatically in the short term, we have a proven and resilient business model." Topps said ten new UK stores opened in the half-year to March 29, taking its number of outlets in the UK to 311. There are also 20 sites in Holland. It vowed to maintain its cautious approach to operational activities, but said it still remained on track for 20 new UK openings over the financial year. Topps said the dividend change provided it with sufficient financial flexibility to support its plans for growth. The Leicestershire-based firm has also boosted its marketing efforts, including through a new campaign on ITV promoting the business under the Tiling the Nation strapline. The additional £1 million spent on advertising meant operating profits for the half-year fell to £20.8 million, a decline of 2.3%. Topps Tiles was founded in Manchester in 1963 by chairman Barry Bester and Stuart Williams.

The PITT wall tiling course sets out to teach people the correct way to tile. They cover the best working practices, setting out procedures, application techniques through to finishing the whole project. And all of this is done clearly and succinctly mostly using techniques and tools that are very inexpensive. I particularly liked the whole emphasis on hand tools to make cuts and smoothing edges. And like all the other PITT courses I've attended I was pleased that they felt no need to pressurise course members into buying tools or products from them, even though there is a tools and adhesive showroom right outside the training rooms. As always all instructors and staff are very friendly and welcoming and above all understanding of each persons needs and abilities. The premises and facilities are kept spotlessly clean and the lunches included within the course fee are simple fantastic. And though I've wrote all these reviews from a students point of view, I'm without doubt knowledgeable and experienced in tiling and the construction industry and can honestly state that the courses run by PITT are a perfect starting point for any budding tiler. Most certainly a place I would recommend to any future employees to attend. Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Conclusion For more details on the PITT Wall Tiling Course click here. You can also leave feedback on this course here PITT Wall Tiling Course Feedback I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process. Review by Dave M. Carr [e] dave@davemcarr.co.uk [w] www.tiling.davemcarr.co.uk Professional Floor Wall Tiler Nottingham

This is the last day of the PITT wall tiling course and there is like all the other PITT courses plenty to cover on the final day. The first thing we cover is grouting our walls. After a thorough demonstration on the use of epoxy and cement based grouts, including the application and cleaning of the tiles after grouting, it is time to have a go ourselves. I can see most the other course members are having fun with this task, others a little more frustrated as they find the new tools that bit different to what they are used to. But either they are all learning a valuable skill that only gets easier with practice. After the process of grouting and the grout has firmed up, the course members start to wash down the grout residue and clean off. Jason takes us through a quick demonstration of the application of silicone sealant and variety of different techniques to apply sealant. There's also information on what to look for in a good silicone as they not all created equally. It's at this point that the movement joint we've created becomes clear as Jason explains in depth the requirements for movement joints and the correct construction of them. He also explains how many tilers still do them incorrectly. After another quick demonstration of fixing mosaics it is into a lengthy lesson of identifying substrates. The identifying substrates lesson really is a crucial part of tiling as Jason clearly and thoroughly explains each substrate and the required primers, adhesives to be used with each substrate. There is also plenty of information about the safe load capacities of each substrate, again something that many tilers simply do not know. Following plenty of time for questions and answers the is the certificate presentation. Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Conclusion For more details on the PITT Wall Tiling Course click here. You can also leave feedback on this course here PITT Wall Tiling Course Feedback I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process. ...[e] dave@davemcarr.co.uk [w] www.tiling.davemcarr.co.uk

The whole of the fourth day of the PITT wall tiling course is given over to tiling our bays. With great emphasis and instruction on tiling in and around a window. Jason is constantly doing the rounds within the bays ensuring all the course members are fully happy with the tasks at hand, I can hear in the other bays that there's plenty of advice and hands on tips being offered. It's always good to go over the things you're not sure about and Jason has no problem spending extra time to explain things fully. I have noticed that all of the course members are doing very well, their tiling progressing nicely. Our instructor Jason takes the process of tiling around a window step by step. PITT's method of tiling a window is a tried and tested method that I've used many times before and I have no doubt that if the rest of the course follow the technique they'll be able to tackle windows with relative ease. There's also good instruction on measuring, cutting and installing tile trim. Doing this properly makes all the difference to the finish. I like how the course is paced with plenty of time to allow everyone the time to get the knack of fixing tiles. Some people are just naturally handy; others are not. And the time PITT allow is ideal for those who want to fix a tile, realise it's not perfect and want to remove and try again. I can definitely say it is better to learn the real basics well than to have a huge array of skills thrown at you in a short space of time. Jason is also full of time saving tricks which are of genuine benefit, naturally Jason is more than happy to show each individual the techniques. The last thing we cover today is the different types of grouts available, as we will start with grouting in the morning. There's a lot of information on grouts, how different grouts are more suitable than others in certain scenarios, flexibility requirements and potential hazards surrounding grouts. All in all a very thorough lesson on the materials needed to complete the work. ...For more details on the PITT Wall Tiling Course click here. You can also leave feedback on this course here PITT Wall Tiling Course Feedback I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process.

First thing Wednesday, Jason quickly recaps on the setting out we've already covered. I like how PITT put so much emphasis on setting out and preparation, it really is the key to a successful finish. Next on PITT's wall tiling course is learning how to set out for vertical joints. Again Jason is clearly demonstrating the correct procedure of how to use our tile staff to determine the best cut sizes and what things need to be considered. There are various methods discussed, PITT's way, the NVQ way and wrap around setting out, the wrap around would prove very helpful with the recent ranges from Porcelanosa which need a continuous flow of pattern. As always there's plenty of practical involved to reinforce the knowledge learned over the first few days. During this practical we also set up the tile lines and support our straight edges to create a solid base from which to tile from. We are all issued with notched trowels (platinum for myself) and bucket trowels for the adhesive. Once we've got our bays set up, we are ready to watch the next demonstration which involves Jason teaching the course how to apply adhesive to the wall. The process is covered in full right from using the bucket trowel to remove the adhesive to applying to the notched trowel to spreading the adhesive on the wall and combing in a uniform direction. It is also explained why we need to keep the combing in one direction rather than random patterns or spirals. Great emphasis placed on working cleanly, which I highly approve of as it is a pet hate to see dirty tiles and tools. Next comes instruction on how to actually fix the tiles to the wall, Jason does a few courses to give a clear example on the correct way to place, space and align the tiles. ...I'm very impressed with the depth of the demonstrations and how clearly everything is explained. And it's very obvious that the rest of the course are absorbing the information as quick as it given, with just a few questions that are quickly and easily answered. The whole of the afternoon is given over to the tiling of our bays. We all work at different speeds so plenty of time has been allotted to the tiling practical, again with emphasis on working clean and trying to produce a first attempt to be proud of. The first obstacle to tile around will be our windows, we'll be tiling into the reveals and applying trim to the edges and allowing for movement joints. ...You can also leave feedback on this course here PITT Wall Tiling Course Feedback I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process.

Jason starts this morning with a recap on yesterdays setting out lessons, after a quick practice we move onto further information on setting out the walls. This time we are going to find out how to deal with obstacles and features and work out the best horizontal joints. The lesson is clearly demonstrated and explained by Jason as he breaks each step down into bite size pieces, this makes it easier for novices to grasp the fundamentals of the exercise. Firstly we are shown how to use our tile staff to find the cut sizes around the obstacles in our bays, there's plenty to work out. We've got cuts around showers, shower trays, windows, vents, not forgetting the floor and ceiling to mark and measure. After we've had a practice in our own bays it's time to move around one bay and start the whole process from the start. Jason wants us to fully understand everything we've covered so far and have to deal with obstacles of different dimensions. Practice makes perfect and by time we've marked the second bay the course members are starting to get a better grasp of the setting out. Next we need to adjust the set out to get the best possible cuts. Jason again clearly explains how we achieve this through a demonstration that he repeats a couple of times, just clarifying a few queries. ...But eventually I think personal preference would determine which system you'd use, as each is as accurate as the next. ... So now we've got to find the best possible cuts sizes for our bays, when we think we've cracked it, Jason drops in to check the accuracy and to check our process of finding the sizes. After another scrumptious lunch there's still a few puzzled faces from the other course members. Jason takes us through a short recap of the setting out, but just long enough as he doesn't want the course delegates to get too bogged down; he knows all this new knowledge will sink in later. We've got a few lessons this afternoon that are a little less mentally intensive, purposely planned this way it is worth noting. The first is on the various trowels available and where you would use them. ... Even though this is a lighter section of the day, there's still a lot of information and advice to absorb and make notes on. ...Including notes on priming, tile sizes and how to spec out a job with the correct adhesives. ...You can also leave feedback on this course here PITT Wall Tiling Course Feedback I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process.

Today is the start of the PITT Wall Tiling Course and it is the third course that I have attended and reviewed at the PITT training centre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. ... I find this first 20 minutes an ideal time to break the ice with the other course delegates and find out what they are wanting achieve and what if any tiling experience they've had. This course has a few less members on it than the floor tiling course which I reviewed, which to be honest I prefer as it gives that feel of greater individual attention and focus. ...PITT tiling instructor Jason takes us through the health and safety requirements of the course, the availability of first aid and fire exits are also covered in full detail. ...With many training courses no matter what the subject, members are often a little nervous or apprehensive. ...But even though I've plenty of experience of tiling, there's often things I've either forgotten or become distanced from through lack of use. One of those is the manual cutting of tiles; I always use a dry cutter or a wet saw. But Jason (Jase) has taken us all back the an even more manual approach to cutting tiles, a method I've not used for many years; with just a tile scribe and our hands. ...After mastering the manual tile cutting we are then taught the correct and most effective way to use nippers. ... Sure enough Jason starts by getting us to cut a few key cuts, U cuts and later on curves of very degrees of difficulty. For the course delegates this has proved to be an excellent learning process and introduces them to one of the tilers indispensable tools. Norma has laid out a fresh buffet lunch full of healthy variety (all included within the cost of the course) and this gives all the course members a chance to discuss the course so far. I can tell the others are very excited about what they've learned this morning with many of them not realising such tools were available. ...Jason also shows the course how to make a center cut out of a tile with a lock boy and carbide hammer, these I again I haven't used for a while. But nonetheless they still useful tools and techniques to use and understand, especially if you get caught out with electricity. ...We're are taught how to set out the room, but only up to a point as Jason doesn't want any brains too overloaded. I was glad to see that PITT teach a method very similar to what I currently use, and I've never failed to get a room well set out. ...With anything new you need to practice to make full sense of it all, and I was glad to see the other course members working in their bays, marking their datum lines and finding the highs and lows of the room. From what I could hear, many didn't expect there would be some much involved with tiling; this comment was echoed many times through out the week. ...I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process.

You can leave feedback on this course here PITT Plumbing Course Feedback This has been a really hard course to write about, why? For a few simple reasons, there was just so much to take in. Both from plumbing knowledge stance as the PITT course really does try to cram in as much content as physically possible within those 5 days. And because of the level of information coming from the instructor John Kimberley, much of which I really believe he tailors to the individual because I could see him relating to various course members slightly differently and using subtly different anecdotes and examples to explain both the theory and the practical sides to his trade. A very patient, understanding and intelligent teacher who really knew how to convey the sometimes difficult subjects in the easiest of ways, very much more than your average tradesman. Overall this course does exactly what it says on the tin. If you want to learn how to remove and refit bathrooms and water piping within a domestic setting then this is an ideal course for you and one that would put you in a very good position to take this new knowledge into either your workplace or your own projects. I wouldn't hesitate for a second in recommending this course or any other service provided by Paul Riley's team at PITT. And I have to commend PITT for not forcing other aspects of their business, such as the tools supply onto the delegates as this was left very low key and entirely up to the individuals discretion whether to purchase or not. That being said the tools package they specified did include an excellent range of tools from the best brands and at very keen prices, plus you'd have the tools support from their trades-direct staff. Naturally a big thank you to Norma for all the fantastic catering and the immaculately clean coffee area and lunch room, believe me the course really did appreciate the relaxing environment. Throughout the week the whole building was kept spotlessly clean all the staff were friendly, polite and genuinely helpful and I looking forward to my PITT Wall Tiling course the following week. For more details on the PITT Plumbing Course click here I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process. Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five | Conclusion Review by Dave M. ...[e] dave@davemcarr.co.uk [w] www.tiling.davemcarr.co.uk Professional Floor Wall Tiler Nottingham

You can leave feedback on this course here PITT Plumbing Course Feedback That's the basin fully connected and working on the radiator, overnight I think all the knowledge has sunk in that bit more and I'm pretty much flying along with the installation, especially when you consider I've not done any plumbing before. I've managed all the pipe bends with ease and soldered all the joints as cleanly as a novice can and they survived the air test for a whole two minutes before one of the solder joints blew; at least my installation wasn't full of what at the time. But what a godsend air testing is, without it I reckon the solder would have held for a while before starting a slow leak. A quick re-solder and the repair is complete. Now it's time to fill the system will water and as I open the valve I have to admit to being a little nervous, but I needn't have worried as not a drop was spilt. I've bled my radiator and the toilet flushes perfectly. Basin taps and waste work a treat, not a leak in sight! During lunch I was suggesting to the other course members that maybe John would be downstairs in the training room rigging our installations for leaks, just so that we could learn to cope with even more snags. Little did I know that before I finished my lunch, someone had done just that to my job, a few smiling faces; all in the name of fun. And I learned how to cope with the leaks as well. After completing our installation, John took us through the removal and re-installation of a bath and a whole host of things to look for the ensure that we don't get caught out. The last thing before we get our certificates, John opens the floor for questions and answers to go through anything we're are not sure of. There was only a few things raised, but as usual John is only too happy to full explain and put our minds at ease. For more details on the PITT Plumbing Course click here I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process. Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five | Conclusion ...[e] dave@davemcarr.co.uk [w] www.tiling.davemcarr.co.uk Professional Floor Wall Tiler Nottingham

You can leave feedback on this course here PITT Plumbing Course Feedback Day four of the PITT Plumbing Course and we're in to the real meat of the course now with the start of the actual installation. So you can see what PITT and John have been trying to achieve with this course by putting all the required techniques and skills and knowledge into our heads for the first half of the week, so that we understand what we're are doing on the installation. Firstly it's a case of getting out all the required sanitary ware, naturally with every piece that moves from storage into our hands comes complete with an explanation, an anecdote and John's own twist on things; there's just somethings you can't learn from a book. For the installation we'll be working in our bays and fitting a pan and cistern, a radiator and basin and all the required piping to strict measurements. John has us all working one task at a time after he's demonstrated the task to a few course members at a time to ensure they can see properly, after all there's only so many people who can crowd around one man, so John's repeating the notes and demos where required. With the tips that John's been dispatching over the last few days some elements of the installation are proving really quite simple and most importantly enjoyable. Overall the class is very laid back and taking the task within their stride, working quietly along to the radio. During the breaks I took the liberty to ask the other delegates about the knowledge they were learning and how they thought it would help them in their careers. Needless to say they are of the same opinion as myself in that the course provides an excellent learning experience, especially at the price and duration. By the end of the day we've got our cistern and pan located and connected, including all the internal fittings as well as learning about different syphons and ball valves, we've also got the radiator and basin positioned, tomorrow we'll be piping it all up. You may be thinking that we've been taking our time doing the installation, but there's been a whole lot of demonstrations and learning along the way, which we've all required to do the installation correctly. For more details on the PITT Plumbing Course click here I'd also like to invite all tiling course providers to contact the Tiler Register to get their courses reviewed as all providers are welcome to the same review process. Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four | Day Five | Conclusion Review by Dave M. ...[e] dave@davemcarr.co.uk [w] www.tiling.davemcarr.co.uk Professional Floor Wall Tiler Nottingham

We always new that TilerSpace.com would be an excellent tool for all tilers and those who work with the tiling industry. So we had to smile when we saw a direct copy of our site this morning; even using the very same software to create it. But as they say 'it is easier to aspire than inspire' and it just so happens we have the inspiration and the vision to create exciting tools. No doubt they'll look to copy some of the things we'll be publishing in the next few months.