Rejuvenating Your Tiles

It has been said that a night on the tiles is a good thing now and again, but what if your bathroom or kitchen tiles have seen better days? Badly discoloured, broken or old fashioned tiles can turn a nice room into an eyesore. But tiles can be easy to fix, without having to get out the hammer and bolster and start chipping away.

Repainting

We have all seen it on the makeover shows on TV, the tiles go from a boring white to several different shades of streaky turquoise and look awful. But with good preparation and the right products, tiles can be successfully painted.

• Preparation is the key. Ensure the area to be painted is free from dirt and grease. The tiles should be in good condition. If not, it is probably better to just replace them.
• For ceramic or glazed tiles a primer or undercoat is not usually needed, but it can be a good idea to prime the surface by roughing it up a little. Use wet and dry sandpaper and lightly scuff the surface with washing up liquid. Then clean thoroughly and dry.
• Buy a good tile paint. Most are water resistant and suitable for shower enclosures or around the bath or sink. Generally these paints dry quite quickly and are re-coatable within around 4 hours.
• The paint may seem thick, but it should not be thinned. This is the correct consistency. Stir it well.
• Use a synthetic brush to apply the paint and apply it liberally, but avoid runs or streaks. Overspreading will cause a patchy look. You may find that two coats work better than one.
• Tile paint should not be used in a cold room or when the room is humid. You should leave 24 hours before using your shower.
• In the future, it is important not to use an abrasive cleaner on the tiles. A simple regular wipe over should be sufficient.

Tile transfers

These can be bought from any DIY store and come in packs according to the size tile to be covered. They are easy to use and can be very effective. They come in many different colours and can even have designs on them. Some of the more recent additions to the ranges are a metallic finish and mirrored tile transfers.

• Prepare the surface by cleaning and drying the tiles.
• Soak the transfer in water for around 20 seconds before sliding it onto the tile. Once it is in position, smooth out the surface towards the edges removing any bulges or air pockets with a dry cloth.
• A coat of clear varnish over the transfer is a good idea if the area is liable to have a lot of water hitting it directly.
• Once again it is important to only wash the area with a mild detergent and never anything abrasive.

So in just half a day you could transform your bathroom or kitchen without any hassle or even spending very much money.