I spent the today on my hands and knees installing new tile in a very old house.  I love this house, but there isn’t a square room in the place, it makes for some interesting projects.  Yesterday we finished the upstairs bathroom, today was time spent on the downstairs bath and laundry room.  Now before you think, I can’t install tile, let me tell you that yes you can…and I will show you exactly what you need.

The basics you know about….tile, backer board, thin-set, grout, bucket, sponge, grooved spreader, there are also a myriad of videos to show you how.  These are the easy parts, you can pick them up at any supply store and get right to work.  Here are some tips you should remember that they sometimes fail to mention:

• If you have to cut tile with a scoring blade and tile cutter, make sure the tile is not freezing, it will cut much better at room temperature
• When mixing thin-set, a full 50 lb. bag is difficult to mix properly, split it in two
• Set a straight line somewhere and work from there
• Pay attention to the surface you are putting the tile on, make sure it doesn’t have a paper surface that can lift…you’ll end up doing the job again
• Get a good set of knee pads, they make all the difference in the world

So with all that, let me tell you the top five things you really need besides the supplies

• No. 5 – Perserverance – the ability to continue with the job when your knees and back are telling you to stop
• No. 4 – Empathy – for whatever home improvement project your partner is working on and struggling with
• No. 3 – Imagination – the ability to see what a room will look like when you finally get it done
• No. 2 – Humor – keep laughing, it will get better, and more importantly, it eventually gets finished
• And No. 1 – Self-confidence – let go of your insecurities and just do it; no one else has to know that you don’t have a f**’n clue