Zalina has tackled a tough DIY and is looking for some advice: I am remodeling my bathroom by myself. I tiled the walls surrounding the bathtub. It was my first time tiling and it definitely turned out second rate. I miscalculated the measurements and ended up with space from the top medal edge so I created a border of broken tiles to fill in the space. My question what should I do around the faucet handles?
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Should I paint? I tried broken tiles but it was hard to grout around the faucet handles and I removed them. I am a complete novice and I don't have the sophisticated tools to cut tiles. Thanks for any advice.
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Comments (22)
I don't have any advice but the broken tile trim looks awesome!
wow, I think that mosaic looks really good! Don't doubt your ability!
I agree, great job!
well, you're supposed to tile right up to the plumbing and put the fixtures on over the tile...tile nippers are $5, you could just attempt cutting some curves...depends on the tile, too.
but if anything, maybe look at replacing your fixtures with ones that have large escutcheons to go over where you can't tile...? i just saw on thisoldhouse they had to replace a 3-piece like you have with one that has a really big oval plate to hide the tiles/holes/issues.
don't paint!
I think you need to take the hardware off, put the tiles on and then put the hardware back on and caulk. You shouldn't try to grout around the handles.
Go to Home Depot and talk to a guy in orange or look online for YouTube videos, etc. that can show you how to cut the tiles. You don't need expensive tools - most likely just a ceramic tile nipper ($12).
But do it right - because your fix for your other mistake looks good, but doing this part wrong will look horribly amateur.
Looking at your photo, it looks like you could just use nippers (to clip small pieces of tile off an edge vs. making a hole in the center) if you removed the half tiles above and below the faucets (which shouldn't be like that anyway).
oh I love the border!
Here's more detail on using nippers:
Use a tile nipper for irregular cuts. Score your cut line with a glass cutter or utility knife. Then nibble off small bits of tile until you remove what you need. It helps to score grid lines in the area you want removed. This will help you keep the nibbled pieces small.
Be patient when using a tile nipper, if you take off pieces that are too big you could go beyond your cut line. Then you'll have to start over.
Tile nippers will leave jagged edges on the tile so use them in less visible areas or where you'll be covering it with trim, like around plumbing fixtures.
TIP: Pieces tend to go flying when using a tile nipper so wear eye protection.
I don't know how to help, but WOW. Great save with the tile mosaic. It looks awesome!
Zalina - You did a great job!!!
I'd continue the broken tile mosaic treatment around your faucet and handles (after you remove them) - I think it will turn out great!
so fun!
The tile looks good and so does Zalina.
I think you did a great job solving the edging. It looks really good. I agree about laying down tile and then super impose the hardware over it and of course seal. Nice job really. I agree with some one before me that continuing that mosaic might add a lot of charm to it. Does sealing it with clear resin help?
Great, job. Most people wouldn't dare tackle that. Be proud and it came out wonderfully!
I vote for tile nippers and against duping the mosaic around the hardware. I think it would look a little lazy and shortcut-y.
very pretty! i agree with all, tile nippers and please, please, please don't paint!!!
asinner's advice is spot on, get thee some nippers!!!
Zalina, first off, I think it looks great!
Second, I think I have a fairly easy thing for you to do:
Instead of creating the mosaic in place, why not create a mosaic tile that will fit in the space? You can mold it to whatever dimensions you need and leave holes for the fixtures.
My sister is a potter and she creates her own tiles all the time with broken pottery and cement. (If you use
Just a thought!
Everyone thanks for the tips. I think I will the faucet handles first; but only if it's an easy task. I removed the broken tiles that I placed around the faucet handles because the grout placed next to the faucet handles looked horrible.
P.S. Notice the tiles I place around the bathtub faucet looks pretty good but I am hesitant to use grout around that faucet because of dripping water.
Zalina
Forget the nippers. Use a rental tile wet saw for perfect cuts. You need to remove the half tiles you have next to the tile handles now. Take off the escutcheons and mark the tiles where you need to make a slot for the piping. Just saw it out and mastic the tile in place, then grout. Do NOT depend on large grouted areas alone. Water will get in and you'll end up having to replace the drywall.
Or, if it seems intimidating, you could check craigslist and see if someone would come over for cheap to help you out.
Love the broken mosaic. It's a happy accident.
I second the hole saw suggestion. Remove the half tiles and use full sized tiles with the appropriately sized holes sawed out of them first.
I'd then work out towards the tiles already in place and if you're not retiling that wall completely you will end up with small mosaic borders, but not directly under/above the hardware.
You did a great job btw, especially for a first try.
Z - this looks awesome! Great job!!!!!