Introduction
Trowels are small hand tools. These are mostly used in handyman practices. Household repairers use this device for mixing, scooping, skimming, and spreading while conducting the tile installation. These are also used while installing bracker boards, glass fitting, and holding masonry blocks. Trowels look like a spade or a shovel, but they are much smaller in size. They are used for garden activities and also in major construction processes.
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Types of Trowels
You may need to use differently shaped Trowels that vary in size too. However, the shapes and sizes would base on the tile you are going to install.
While the important sizes belong to margin, flat, or a bucket type, you must be convenient about the shapes that will make your tile a gorgeous fitting. You can use float trowels, pool and gauging trowel, notched and margin trowels to get the best tile installation or cementing done.
Important shapes include:
V-notch Trowels
These are characterized by their V-orchard edges.
Its’ ideal pattern for a mosaic tile that has a four-and-a-half diameter should a 3/16” x ¼” V-notch type.
U-notch Trowels
It differentiates from the previous one on the grounds of notches or teeth. The U-notch Trowels allow a more thin-set than its V-shaped counterpart does.
For this reason, experienced handyman people use the device is larger tiles like those above 4” diameter.
The most commonly used patterns include:
- U- Notch Trowel ¼” x ¼" – These are used for 4” × 4” tiles that may end in 8”×8” measurement. People who like to heavy wall tile spread or a lighter spread of floor tile vow high for these.
- U- Notch Trowel ¼” x 3/8” - These are used for tiles that are up to twice the previous ones, Tiles type would also resemble the one-fourth types.
- In archaeological works, the use of trowels is of paramount importance, where generally 4 inch or 5-inch steel trowels are used.
Square Notch Trowels
These have square teeth. Thus, it is more preferable for tiles that are large-sized and require more spread of the indentation. Usually, these are befitting for tiles larger than 4” diameter.
Common sizes for square notch trowels include:
- Square Notch Trowel ¼”x ¼” for tile 4” x 4” up to 8”x 8”.
- Square Notch Trowel 1/4” x 3/8” for tile 8”x8” up to 13”x13”.
- Square Notch Trowel 1/2”x 1/2” for 16”x16” and larger tile.
Trowel Measurement
A trowel is seen in different sizes and shapes. On a common, your selection of trowels should have an identity between their shapes and sizes. For instance, camping trowels are easier to carry and they do not put much load on your travel items. You can also find out notched trowels and tuck-pointing trowels that enable the speedy completion of any garden-related or construction work.
At the time of measuring a trowel, you need to take the depth of the notches into account. It is besides their length and height. You can take the example of a ¼”x ¼” trowel. The notch will be ¼” and its shape will be square.
Making the best use of a Trowel
Before graving much, I must tell you about the need to keep the trowel with its flat side open to the mortar; it helps to make an ideal chemical bond.
In the next phase, you should add more mortar to the substrate; it works in spreading the mortar in straight lines. Thus, the mortar will be well-distributed throughout the trowel.
Ensure that the mortar does not churn. Whirling mortars prohibit the tile from properly bonding with the substrate. It may also cause the tile crack.
Final word
Get the tile replaced if the square notches or edges are bent or torn. You must maintain the device according to the instructions. Using a worn trowel is dangerous as it may jerk or skid on the slab.