Lippage can occur when two adjacent tiles are not installed at the same elevation, causing an uneven surface. This can be incredibly unsightly and difficult to fix. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid this issue.
Here is a comprehensive guide to avoiding lippage so you can have beautiful, even tile surfaces in your home.
1. Prepare Your Subfloor Correctly
Before tiling, make sure your subfloor is prepared correctly and is level and flat with no irregularities or bumps. If there are any irregularities, the tiles may sit unevenly, which could lead to lippage issues.
2. Use Tiles From the Same Batch
Make sure all the tiles used for installation come from the same batch. Find out if they have been fired simultaneously to ensure they all have similar properties such as size and thickness. This will help keep lippage issues at bay since all the tiles will be uniform in size and shape.
3. Buy Better Tiles
High-quality tiles tend to be more consistent in thickness than lower-quality tiles, making them less prone to lippage when installed correctly. If you’re looking for top-quality tile installations,
purchase higher-quality tiles whenever possible.
They may cost more but will certainly last longer and look better.
4. Choose a Suitable Laying Pattern
When laying out your tile pattern, opt for straight or diagonal lines rather than staggered patterns. Staggered designs can increase the risk of lippage occurring between adjacent tiles when using larger pieces (more than 450mm).
5. Use a Grout Joint
Using grout between each tile creates an additional buffer between each piece, which helps reduce movement between them and prevents them from shifting out of place once installed on the floor or wall surface.
This eliminates any potential gaps or unevenness that could lead to lippage problems down the line.
6. Use a Tile Leveling System
A tile leveling system helps ensure that each tile is perfectly leveled before it gets stuck onto its substrate. This helps avoid any issues with lippage after the installation.
7. Apply Adhesive Correctly
Make sure adhesive is applied evenly across each piece of tile before it gets stuck onto its substrate. If the adhesive isn’t applied correctly, some areas might not get enough coverage. This could lead to unevenness between different pieces once they’re stuck onto their substrate, leading to potential problems with lippage.
Final Thoughts
Tile lippage can be frustrating for homeowners looking for a smooth, tiled surface in their homes. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to prevent it.
Even if you think you aren’t experienced enough with DIY projects, you should be able to achieve great results without any issues with lippage by following these tips.
If you feel like the task is too complicated for you to take on, you always have the option of
hiring a professional to do the job. These experts have the tools, skills, and experience to ensure your project goes smoothly.
Preparation is key to successful and beautiful tiling. Take your time to do everything properly—from choosing appropriate materials like high-quality tiles from the same batch to using suitable laying patterns. By making adequate preparations before beginning installation work, you prevent issues from surfacing later on.
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