It’s hard to have a successful tile installation project without the right tools and equipment. In fact, these items can be crucial to ensuring your job looks professional instead of amateur. As experts in the tiling industry, we’ve compiled a list of the most important tile installation tools every installer should have before beginning their project. Be sure to check these items off your list before starting.

1. Manual Tile Cutters

One of the most essential tools for professional tile installers is the manual tile cutter. This tool allows the user to make precise and clean cuts on a variety of tile sizes. Manual tile cutters are lightweight, easy to use with one hand, make quick cuts, and they do not affect the surface of the ceramic or glass. Depending on the type of manual tile cutter, people can make cuts at 26”, 36”, and 60”.

2. Tile Saws

For jobs that require finer precision and accuracy, an electric tile saw is required. They can cut a variety of materials including glass, ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone. These lightweight tools can easily by used by one person, but perform with power and accuracy to make clean and smooth cuts on even the toughest materials.

3. Diamond Drill Bits

Diamond drill bit kits come in handy when you need to drill a hole into the tile to solve pipe, drainer, or tap connection finishings. Drill bits use mathematical precision to break through the tile surface without causing it to crack or break. These vital tools work well on materials like granite, porcelain, glass, and marble, depending on the diameter of the bits. By using a kit with different sizes and that enables wet cutting, you can do a cleaner job without excess dust and noise at the site.

4. Tile Levelling Systems

A quality tile levelling installation system will have all the elements necessary to prevent tile lippage: caps, pincers/nippers, and strips. Rapid levelling is achieved with the tile strips, while the caps ensure the pressure on the tiles is evenly distributed to ensure a consistent, flat surface. The nippers also help to level the tiles. One of the best systems on the market is the Raimondi leveling system, which you can find at our store.

5. Tile Nippers or Pincers

Tile nippers or pincers are another useful and user-friendly tool. They are designed to enlarge holds in tiles and form tile edges. They are also recommended for making circular patterns on ceramic tiles.

6. Tile Trowels

Tile trowels are a must-have on the job site. They are absolutely necessary to create a polished and professional look. Trowels are used to ensure the mortar is evenly and smoothly spread along the base, so the tiles adhere as evenly and securely as possible. Whether you are installing tiles on your walls or floors, make sure you choose the right size trowel to ensure proper coverage every time. The trowel should also be lightweight and sturdy to apply the mortar mix effectively without straining your hand or arm.

7. Rubber Grout Floats

Grouting is an important part of the installation process because it ensures an even and finished surface. Grout is the material that fills in the spaces between the tiles to secure the gap and lock them together. A rubber grout float is a sturdy, yet flexible pad connected to a C-shaped handle. Different grout floats come in various levels of thickness and hardness, so you can choose the exact tool for your project.

8. Tile Spacers

Maintaining a straight and uniform joints between each set of tiles is critical to ensuring your tile installation is done correctly. Tile spacers are an important tool for this step. They obtain the right spacing between tiles and help transition into other tile patterns on areas with different spacing. There are a variety of spacers to choose from, and they are reusable.

9. Tile Mortar Mixer

The tile mortar mixer is a tool that serves two important purposes. First, it helps the installer create the right mortar consistency for a better tile installation. Secondly, it reduces the strain on the hand when manually mixing the mortar. A quality tile mortar mixer will make this part of the job smoother and faster to ensure a stronger bond between the base and the tile. There are different mortar mixers to choose from whether you need to mix cement, adhesives, paints, resins, etc.

10. Rubber Buckets

An often-overlooked item to include before you begin your tiling project is a rubber bucket. Rubber buckets are used to mix and transport mortar, and they are much easier to clean than plastic buckets. Even if the mortar has fully dried inside the bucket, it will still be easier to remove from the rubber than other materials. Rubber buckets are also very durable and versatile, and can be used over and over again for different tiling projects.

11. Bubble Level

A bubble level is a simple instrument that is used to ensure a surface is perfectly level. These tools have a small glass vial in the middle that uses a tiny air bubble to show whether the level is perfectly balanced or not. If the surface is level, the bubble will be right in the middle of the vial. Bubble levels can be use for floor tile and wall tile installations.

12. Tape Measure

Using a tape measure along with your chalk line will ensure your tile laying measurements are accurate. This tool will help you create perfectly parallel and perpendicular lines. There are different types and styles of tape measures, so make sure you choose one that is large is enough for your project. Tape measures that are too short will result in inaccurate measurements, as you will need to mark where it ends and begin measuring from that spot again.

Get All the Tools You Need at Centura Tools

If you’re preparing for a tiling project, the right tools make all the difference in the final outcome. To ensure that you are doing your best work each step of the way, it is best to stock up on the right tools and products. Unsure of where to find all the items you need? Look no further than Centura Tools. With years of industry experience, our company has dedicated itself to filling our shelves with the best products from the best brands around the world.

Our store offers a variety of products including tile gutters, Schluter Ditra Heat systems and tile edges, large format tile tools, tile leveling clips and systems, flooring products, high-end tools, professional safety equipment, and more.

If you are looking for something you don’t see in our store, let us know and we can source the specific items you need. Contact us at (416) 785-3311 or visit our store to see our amazing products.