Install the tile mosaic with your own hands. Mosaic grout application technology

If you start repairing in the bathroom, or decided to update the lining of the pool, you will definitely collide with the choice of finishing material for the floor and walls. The original solution in this case will be the installation of mosaic tiles. Since such material applies to expensive, then everything can be done with your own hands, without spending unnecessary funds for payment of tiler services. Working with tile Mosaic implies many nuances and technologies, without knowledge of which the installation will be difficult. In this article, we will try to fully reveal the issue of laying a mosaic on the walls and the floor with their own hands.

Selection of Wall Facing Material and Ceiling Tile Mosaic

Mosaic, in contrast to his "relative" - \u200b\u200btile, is made in a slightly different way. The laying method in this case is also another, moreover, requires some skill and experience. But it is not necessary to immediately lower your hands, because the facing can be made personally, it is important to know several rules, then the process will pass much easier.

Benefits of mosaic tiles

The popularity of mosaic is due to the following advantages:

• the tile is made in such a way that it can be stacked on curved surfaces, as well as in hard-to-reach places;
• a wide range of color and uniform variations of this material allows you to experiment on any themes. You can create a panel on your own sketch;
• tile can be facing the surfaces that are often affected by low temperatures. This speaks of its excellent indicators of frost resistance;
• mosaic tiles can be facing the floor and walls in the bathroom, sidewalks, columns of buildings. The spectrum of the application of this material is wide. Most often it is used in shower cabins and bathrooms;
• due to several layers of protection, the mosaic has excellent wear-resistant indicators;
• you can order panels on your own sketch and size;
• with proper care, the surface lined with a mosaic will last for a long time, and it will not be fascinated and will not give cracks.

The mosaic tile has a number of advantages that bring it to the first places in the rating of facing materials for pools and bathrooms. Permanent competition of manufacturers of such tiles leads to the continuous improvement of manufacturing technologies. Thus, it is constantly modified by improving the characteristics and beneficial properties.

The choice of mosaic tiles

Mosaic represents multiple fragments ranging in size from 10x10 mm, are placed on paper or a special grid. The distance between the small fragments must correspond to the distance between the single piece of mosaic tile. In this case, mosaic mount technique depends on the application surface and the underside of the material tiles. However, tiles and even different material from which it is made.

Mosaic tile is made of the following materials:

• ceramics - tile fragments are made of solid rock rocks. For strength, they are covered with special icing in matte or glossy performance;
• glass - small tiles have a translucent look, and shades can vary. A feature of laying glass mosaic - the complexity of trimming. Small fragments are quite difficult to cut, because they are quite fragile and easily rock;
  
• smalt - fragments made from this material are baked in a special oven. It gives each tile of uniqueness, since each piece has a different shade;
• stone - tile is a processed stones glued to a paper or grid base. This option is most often used in the finishing of floor surfaces;
  
• dragmetals - Mosaic tiles are made with the addition of silver, gold, platinum and other precious metals. They are placed fine layer between two layers of glass;
• mix - on one tile you can meet several materials. Often combine glass with stone or ceramics;
• metal is one of the costly mosaic options, moreover with great weight.

Choosing a tile for your room, it is best to have a clear plan with all the size of the walls and the ceiling. It is best to draw it on a tetrad sheet into a cage on an appropriate scale. It will help you buy a mosaic tile up to the last sheet. However, we would advise to take it with a slight margin, especially if you select a glass option. With transportation, some fragments can split.

It is also worth paying attention to the cost of tiles. The most acceptable option will be a ceramic or glass mosaic in the middle price range. Also pay attention to the base of the tile. Fragments of mosaic should be reliably fixed, and have a holistic appearance. Ask the seller to write you a tile from one delivery. It often happens that two sheets from different supplies do not coincide on the shade. Thus, the integrity of the drawing and tone will be observed.

Selection of adhesive mixture for fixing mosaic tiles

The choice of tiled glue for mosaic is quite serious. Since the tiles can be applied to different surfaces - concrete, plasterboard, shp can, wooden base, then the mixture must be selected according to the application area. In addition, each sheet, depending on the material of the manufacture, has its own weight.

In order to select the necessary adhesive mixture, consider the following options:

• cement-sandy solution - designed to lay an opaque mosaic on a flat surface indoor;
• the polymer solution is made with the addition of polymer additives, allowing to achieve more reliable fixation of the tile sheet with the base of the surface;
• white solution - the basis of the mixture also serves cement, water and sand, while the color of the solution is white. Mainly used for laying mosaic from glass;
• other solutions - an important parameter is also facing. It can be the floor equipped with heating systems, or a street pool. In any case, consider each proposed option to choose the necessary one.

When choosing a glue to install a mosaic tile, be sure to tell the seller about the features of the room in which the facing will be made. We do not advise making a mixture yourself. In this case, it is better not to save, and acquire a specialized adhesive mixture, only then you will receive a guarantee of reliable fixation.

Selection of grouts for mosaic tiles

Often, the drawing from the tile has several shades, and is also made using several mosaic species. We advise you to immediately take the sample of each type to pick up the exact shade. Over the grouting, you can experiment, applying samples of the mixture to mosaic fragments.

The following types of grouts are used as filling in the seam between tiled fragments:

• cement - extension made on the basis of portland cement with the addition of moisture-repellent elements;
• latex - a fugue with the addition of latex, which makes it more elastic;
• epoxy resin is a thick transparent mass, which has excellent indicators of moisture protection. Features high strength when solidification;
• liquid glass - transparent material having a viscous consistency.

All the above mixes differ only in composition. Due to the fact that special pigments add to the fugu, they receive a shade from graphite to white. Often there are options when glitter and shallow crumb add in the extender so that it is better combined with glass tiles.

Install the tile mosaic with your own hands. Preparatory activities

To conduct high-quality laying of the mosaic tile in the bathroom, you need to carefully prepare everything. If you are going to do everything yourself, then you need to approach this issue with all seriousness. We advise you to immediately get a roulette, a pencil and a sheet of notebook paper into a cage. As in any building process, preparation occupies a lion's share of work. The more accurate work at this stage will be carried out, the easier it will be stacked and pushing the mosaic tile in the future.

Install the tile mosaic with your own hands. Calculation of consumption of material

To protect yourself from purchasing excessive consumables, it is better to calculate everything right away, and then go to the construction store. There is nothing complicated here, but it is worth conducting some calculations.

To calculate the number of necessary material, consider each case separately:

1. Mosaic tile. This material can be purchased up to the last sheet. Everything is easy enough, calculate the total area with a roulette, which will be facing. The result is divided into one mosaic sheet area (usually these data are indicated on the package). To the resulting result, add 10% on battle and trimming.
2. Glue mix. Since the laying is carried out on the prepared level surface, the glue layer will be less than when laying a conventional tile. Consumption always indicate packaging. We also advise you to take a solution with a margin.
3. Fishing. Since each sheet contains many seams, the consumption of this material is high enough. There is averaged indicator in which you need 2 kg of fugues per 1 m² of mosaic tiles. It is better to take 1-2 packs more.

You will also need other materials designed for high-quality wall cladding and sex in the bathroom with their own hands. Each room has an individual character and features, in accordance with which the material is selected.

Tools and materials required for laying mosaic tiles

Montage Mosaic is a delicate matter, therefore the tool will need specialized. If it is not possible to purchase it, you can always take on the rental. But on the tool for measurements is better not to save.

Qualitatively bind the bathroom with mosaic tile will help you next set:

• tiled machine or Bulgarian with stone disk, perforator;
• roulette, level of construction 1-1.5 m, laser level;
• rule 1-1.5 m, square, plumb;
• spatula 100 mm, spatula toothed 6-8 mm, construction knife, molding, chock;
• rubber spatula for grouting, sponge, small tank for fugues;
• maclithus, fluster brush, bath for primer, roller;
• glue mix, extinguishing, primer, waterproofing, cross, wedges, warm water.

I would also like to note that when working with cutting material it is better to use protective equipment. Purchase gloves, respirator and plastic glasses. This will protect you from small mosaic particles.

Working technology with tile mosaic

In order for the quality of the work done does not cause you doubts, you need to know some rules that will help to do everything right.

Pay attention to the following nuances necessary for reliable laying of mosaic tiles:

• mosaic sheets start assemble from the visible corner of the room. At the entrance to the room, only one-piece slices of tiles should be rushed into the eyes. Mosaic also stacked, ranging from the center of the room, or from a well-lit part of it;
• before laying the tile, move the drawing to the surface. So do if you create a mosaic pattern on the wall on your own sketch;
• use specialized glue. For the "Warm Paul" systems, purchase an elastic version with the addition of plasticizer. For heavy mosaic from porcelain stoneware it is better to buy a mixture with high fixation rates;
• in order for the drawing to be solid, observe the distance between the sheets of mosaic. It must correspond to the distance between the fragments of the mosaic;
• work at a temperature of at least + 5ºС and no more than + 30º.

Observe the installation technology in accuracy with the above rules, then the floor and walls covered with mosaic tiles will serve you more than a dozen years.

Install the tile mosaic with your own hands. Step-by-step instruction

Now, when we studied the installation technology, proceed to the direct laying of the mosaic. Make sure that the base is prepared correctly, all materials and tools at hand, and the scheme is transferred to the surface. If you doubt how to work performed at the preparatory stage, it is better to check everything again. In this case, it will be appropriate to recall one famous proverb: "Seven times will die - once again."

Preparation of the base for mounting mosaic tiles

Since the mosaic tile is placed on a flat surface, then it is necessary to bother in advance. If you are facing the walls, you must first conduct communication, then primed and attach the surface. If you are working in the bathroom, then the plaster must be purchased on a cement basis. After the primary layer of plaster, the wall is ground, and the tile laying begin.

To prepare the floor, you must also start with pipe wiring. If in this place is planned shower, it is better to immediately carry out waterproofing of the surface. You can use both dry mix and elastic pasta. The floors are aligned by lighthouses, or with levels of levels. It all depends on the drops. The floor is also ground and proceed to the installation of mosaic plates.

Laying mosaic

Consider the installation method of tile on the example of mosaic from granite in the bathroom. We chose this method, since it is most popular.

To properly lay a mosaic tile, use the following algorithm:

1. Start with primer base. Pour the soil-paint in the bath, and roll the roller to do it. To increase adhesion, it must be applied to the wall. Make sure the surface is fully processed. Be sure to use deep penetration primer.
   
2. Transfer the drawing to the surface in accordance with all sizes. Or use the ready-made mosaic tile laying schemes.
   
3. Mix a small amount of adhesive mixture in the proportions indicated on the package. You must have a thick solution of white. Using a gear spatula, apply glue to the surface, commensurate the dimensions of one sheet of mosaic. Note that the mixture should lie down with a smooth layer.
   
4. Gently press to the area with fresh glue one mosaic plate. If you purchased a tile in which fragments are connected by paper, then it should be outside. Subsequently, you can remove the paper.
   
5. Now you need to align the tile so that it has a common level with the surface. Press the coat plate that are used for grinding plaster. Do not press it hard, you can sell too much solution. Delta is checked using a small bubble level. Where necessary, the mosaic is born with a rubber hammer - Cyans.
   
6. Make sure that all mosaic fragments are located in accordance with the desired pattern. If a plate with paper film, then keep in mind that some pieces of mosaic can turn around. In this case, immediately after removing the film, place them as it should. It must be done immediately, since the solution quickly hards.
   
7. Now, while the adhesive mixture is not frozen, clean the seams between the fragments of the scuffer or spatula. It is possible to make it only when the solution is in a plastic state.
8. Apply glue to the next site. In order to withstand the distance between the plates, you can use the workpiece or crosses of the required diameter. This is quite a painstaking work that requires adequacy and attention.
   
9. After laying each subsequent plate, be sure to check the plane. Since the mosaic does not have a solid coverage, it will have to do much more often. Apply the bubble level at once for 2-3 parts to make sure they have a common plane.
   
10. If you need to cut off the plate, use the construction knife. Just cut off the grid enough. If you need to cut off the pieces of tiles, it is better to use the machine.
    
11. To fix the plate in radius areas, you need to withstand the parallelism of each row of mosaic. The plate should not be very flexing so that the grid does not break.
    
12. All pollution is better to immediately remove from the surface of the mosaic tile. Use the usual kitchen sponge dipped in warm water. You can also purchase specialized funds, but they will be much more expensive.

One of the most important moments of laying mosaic tile is the application of a adhesive solution. Do in advance, and pick up the toothed spatula of the desired size. If you can set 2-3 tiles qualitatively, then you can not worry about further actions.

We apply grout on the tile mosaic

Before proceeding with the grout of the seams, it should be started to wait at least a day after laying. Make sure that there are no divorces and dried solutions on the tile. The surface must be clean. Mix the fugue in accordance with the proportions provided by the manufacturer. It is best to make a measuring container, it will help to avoid color differences, then all the seams will be the same tonality.

The grout is applied with neat diagonal movements, without a strong pressure. The mixture should evenly fill all the seams. To close small sections, you can use special rubber spatulas. After you have extended a small area, you need to remove the remains of the Fugges. This can be made with a flat sponge moistened in water. Thus, the grout will remain in the seams, and all the extra dirt is on the sponge.

Mosaic Tile Care

So that the mosaic tile has retained its beauty for a long time, you need to carefully care for it. You can purchase cleaning tools in a specialized store. Note that they are quite expensive. Therefore, we advise you to consider several homemade options that will not be worse with this task.

For qualitative mosaic surface cleaning, consider the following boards:

• if the mosaic is mounted in the kitchen as a apron, then over time it will be painted, fat stains will appear. They are best cleaned with vinegar dissolved in water;
• to maintain purity, tile can moisten the liquid glass cleaner, and then wipe dry with a cloth;
• to impart gloss mosaic, dissolve in 1 liter of water about 50 ml of liquid ammonia and a few drops of an agent that is added to the dishwashing machine;
• if the tiles laid on the floor, then secure the area in front of the entrance. Place the mat to not carry dust and fine sand. They can scratch the finish.

Hopefully, in this article we are fully disclosed the issue associated with self-installation and jointing mosaic tiles. You will need a bit of skill and patience, but the result will please even the most demanding owner.

Grout Tile mosaic, video