Guidelines for a successful tile installation - Information courtesy of Australian Tile Council Inc.

Before you start
Ensure that there are sufficient tiles to complete your job, there are no guarantees that extra tiles of the same colour or shade can be supplied at a later date.

Keep a small quantity of tiles on site for any required future maintenance. It can be difficult to match tiles if repairs are necessary later on.

Make sure your measurements are accurate. We supply a quantity of tiles to your measurements. Under measurements will lead to a shortage of tiles, over measurement will lead to an over supply of tiles. Both these occurrences cause hardship to the tile supplier.

Check with your supplier the position and quantity of strips, spotters or pattern layouts.

Ensure all substrates are appropriately prepared and are suitable for tiling with particular attention paid to the waterproofing of wet areas.

Before fixing
Check the shade marking on all tile boxes to ensure that you have been supplied from one batch. There can be no claim whatsoever once tiles have been fixed.

Large tiles, 200mm x 200mm or greater, can vary in size and shape owing to the manufacturing process and tile type. This is expected. However, tiles should be placed so as grout joints are wide enough to accommodate this variation.

Make reference to adhesive manufacturer’s literature ensure you use an appropriate adhesive for both the installation substrate and the tile type to be fixed.

As you tile
Use tiles from 3 or more boxed so as to ensure proper blending of any colour variation that may exist.
Keep an eye on your work as you progress, so that the blend and effect is maintained.
Retain an original box label in case you require further tiles, so that all attempts to resupply can be made.

Laying a large area
We strongly recommend that hidden areas (under stoves, fridges, in pantry cupboards) or detached areas (toilets and laundry floors) are tiles last so that if extra tiles are needed, batching will not be crucial.

Ensure that advised adhesive is used, bed thickness and adhesive contact to tiles is achieved.

It is crucial that if you have any doubts or notice concern as you continue, you contact Walkers before proceeding any further.