Tile

[Texas-Ali]

I bought a fixer upper. Everything works now, so I have started making it pretty. All the carpet in this house has to be replaced. It was/is miserable. I can clean it up enough to live with it temporarly, but it is flat out and out an eye sore. I want to replace everything downstairs with some southwestern tile except the dining room and formal living room. Those two get wood.

I got a quote for it, but I almost choked when I saw the price to hire someone else to do it. If you did it, was it worth doing it yourself to save the $3200? Add $800 if I am the one removing the old stuff. Keep in mind that is just for installation of the tile, not the wood and not materials.

Has any one tried to put down tile on your own? I really don't have an extra $4k to spend this year. Was it easy to do? I thought I would pratice on an old coffee table first to learn how to do corners.

[spasmo]

It is do-able! It takes patience and a sense of humor. If you do it yourself it will take longer but you will save money. There is a Murphy's Law that says you will become an expert when you get to the last room you are doing.

I think the hardest part is the wear and tear on my knees and getting the excess grout off. If you tackle this wear rubber gloves to save your hands! And take some before and after pictures to motivate the rest of us!

Good luck!

[TessiNY]

It sounds like you are undertaking a large project to start. Is there a smaller room in you could try first? I have never laid tile but am getting ready to do a bathroom (very small in the center of the house and am using cheap tile, just in case!!) as a practice. I have researched and asked various people--neighbors, family, home improvement centers,-- and it can be a very challenging, time consuming job. There is more to it than laying down a piece of tile next to another piece and moving on. Best advice, read every thing you can before you begin. Good luck and be patient.

[Texas-Ali]

I have done lineolium before, replaced an entire toilet, and even hung dry wall with the kids help. But not ceramic tile, this looks like real work. I have books, and magazines. The local hardware store claims to have a tile class, but the 3 times it was supposed to be going, I showed up and it was cancelled.

I really wanted to practice first, my oldest son lives on his own and had a really ugly table in his apartment that he was throwing away. I have confinscated it to pratice on. If it turns out ok, I will give it back, otherwise it can be tossed. No loss. So now the ugly table lives in my garage while I try to figure out where to start. I am going to make some calls to see if there is a class somewhere... anywhere.

The plan was to do the back half of downstairs in ceramic tile. I was told to buy 820 sq ft of tile. Which is all well and good but then there is self leveling cement to make sure the floors are right, and t's to put between the tiles as they are laid. And grout and tiles and adhesive, and need to know how to use a tile saw.

I figure I could do the hallway first, then the closet then the laundry room since those are not seen often. After that, I am hoping I will know enough about what I am doing for the bathroom, kitchen and family room. Which are of course high traffic areas. I also need a tile that is not as slick as what is in the kitchen currently. There is a pool right out the door leading to the kitchen. My feet were wet one day and I did a nose dive. I was so bruised one of the female managers asked me how things were at home... I felt soooooo stupid!!! At least they cared enough to check on me.

This whole sweat equity is not as glamorous as they make it out to be on tv. If I ever decide to move again, PLEASE remind me, NO FIXER UPPERS!!! No matter how good the schools are. Then again schools ARE good here, and the boys ARE happy here, and I am committed now. So I guess a little pain is ok. And the boys don't know it yet, but they are the ones removing carpet and old tile.

[spasmo]

Texas Ali... it sounds like we are both "Queens of Sweat Equity". LOL.

It is a LOT of work, but there is a wonderful feeling of satisfaction when it is all done! Keep on going with the home improvements y'all!!! And take some pictures to post... be proud of your hard work!

[TessiNY]

At this point, Texas-Ali, it sounds like you have done your homework and are ready to go. The only thing from here is patience and willingness for those frustrating "oops" moments! Good luck!!

[spasmo]

Dont call your mistakes "oopses"... call them "custom features". And if anyone is bold enough to ask about them, say you had to pay extra for them because they are custom.

Good luck woman!

[NeNe]

My dh and I will be doing ours too and we did a small bathroom already. It isn't hard to do. Just make sure you start off right with the measuring and make sure you put enough mix on the back when you lay the tile so you won't have hollow spots. You can tap on it and tell the difference. Take the advice and go to Lowes or Home Depot. They have workshops you can sign up for. That would be your best bet to get yourself comfortable to do it. They can show you how to measure it and cut it. We broke a few tiles before we got the hang of it. But trial and error always gets it done. And, make sure after it's all done to seal your grout. They have stuff you can spray on or mop on. It really keeps the grout from getting dirty from spills and dirt. Good luck and let us know.

[charliemae]

Hi Texas-Ali! Have you started on it yet? I'm just interested to know how you made out with the tiles. I don't know a darned thing about such a project, but the other girls seemed to have pretty sound advice. Some home improvement stores even have "do-it-yourself" books for sale covering so many projects and have step by step pictures. Hope all goes well for you!

[Texas-Ali]

I wish I were done with it. Honestly, I am still planning on doing it. But with the adoption and my oldest son moving half way across the country, I have been so overwhelmed I have done nothing but clean the house top to bottom when I am not at work and running to soccer games and football practice.

The social worker will be here in 2 weeks AND counting. And my son leaves on the 4th for North Carolina. After that, I will be at a waiting period for the adoption while all the US paperwork is being done. Hopefully I will have time then to get it done. I did pick the tile I want to use though, so that is one step in the right direction. Some days baby steps are all I get so I have to enjoy them :cool:

{{HUGS}}

Me :)

[charliemae]

:eek: Wow! You sure have a lot going on right now! At least you chose the tile but I don't see how you'll get it done right now with all that going on in your life. There just never seems to be enough time to do everything you want, but some things are just more important, and others have to be put on hold. Wish you luck!