January 26, 2016

HOW POOR TILING CAN AFFECT YOUR HOME

 

If you are considering selling your home in the near future, it is only natural that you would want it to look its best. You may be thinking about redecorating your home to increase the value and make it more appealing for potential buyers. After all, people will be far more interested in a house that looks like time and effort has been put into it, compared with a run-down house that will require a lot of work once they have purchased it. (Luckily I was renting my poor delapidated previous house lol!) 




New tiling in both the bathroom and the kitchen can instantly add value to your home, as long as it has been carried out to a high standard. Bad tiling does not only look bad, but it can affect your home in more ways than you might think.

Let’s start with the value of your home. It is a no brainer that a house requiring work will sell for less than a house that is all ready to move into. Small features, like bad tiling will not only leave your house not looking its best, but can also reduce the asking price of your home. Bad tiling can be caused by a number of different reasons. It could be in need of an update, and so the tiles are old and dated. Depending on the original tile material that you have in your home, they could begin to lose their colour, particularly if they are very old tiles. Not only that, but the grout can become discoloured and begin to flake off, all of which can cause damage to the tiles, and can reduce the asking price of your home. Or it could simply be that they have not been installed by a professional. 

A poor tiling job does not have to mean that they have been victims of DIYers.

 Professionals can sometimes leave a job looking half done, or one that is of an incredibly low standard. This is why it is so important to hire a reputable and trusted tiler who can show you previous work that they have carried out. Be wary of too low prices, as they are normally low for a reason. What might seem like a bargain could actually end up being an incredibly expensive mistake, and can cost you a lot to repair the original job. However; it is important to get it rectified, as poorly installed tiles can cause problems later on if they are not corrected.

Tiles that are left could need replacing sooner than they normally would, again costing you more money, as they could become damaged. If they are not properly sealed for example, water would be able to get into the tile, which can cause bacteria to grow and mould to form. This is the same for the grout that is used to fix the tiles to the wall. If the adhesive and grout is not left to dry completely, this can cause problems later on.

Poor tiling can be dangerous too. If floor tiles are fitted unevenly, it will not only alter the appearance of the tiles, but it can also be a trip hazard, which could result in serious injury. This is particularly important should you have young children running around your home.

Whilst the latter two might not seem like big problems to begin with, but added up can be costly and incredibly detrimental to your home. If you are considering updating your tiles, ensure that you not only get high quality tiles from a trusted retailer, but also that you follow advice on how to fit your tiles properly, or get a trusted tiler to come and do the job for you.