Wall Tiler in West London

Robert tiles walls in bathrooms, showers, kitchens, utility rooms, hallways and living spaces, from a single splashback to full-height walls and feature walls. Walls in older London homes are often uneven or out of plumb, and new plasterboard walls bring their own requirements, so every wall is checked before quoting.

Tiles need a sound, clean, flat surface. New plaster has to be fully dry and primed before tiling. Painted walls generally need the paint removed or scored and the wall primed so the adhesive can bond; tiling straight onto loose or glossy paint is a common cause of tiles coming away.

In showers and other wet areas, tile backer board and a waterproofing system are used rather than relying on plaster. Heavier tiles such as large porcelain or natural stone need a wall that can carry the weight, so check the tile and board manufacturers' limits.

Before the first tile goes up, Robert plans the setting out: where the cuts fall, how the rows line up with windows, niches and the edge of the bath or worktop, and where the first full row starts. Walls that aren't flat are corrected first, because adhesive can't hide a bowed wall without leaving lips between tiles. Levelling systems help keep large tiles flush with each other.

Tiles need full adhesive coverage on the back, especially in wet areas and with larger formats, so there are no hollow spots where water can sit or tiles can crack. Grout lines are kept straight and even, and external corners are finished with trims or mitred edges depending on the tile and the look you want.

Internal corners and junctions with baths, shower trays and worktops are finished with silicone rather than grout, because these joints move.

A feature wall can use patterned tiles, mosaics, metro tiles in a different bond, or a contrasting colour. With patterned tiles the layout is planned around the pattern repeat so it runs evenly across the wall. Mosaic sheets need careful alignment so the sheet joints disappear.