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Sawdust Girl®

Sawdust Girl®

Renovation, cabinet building and woodworking plans and tutorials. Build like a Girl®

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How to Cut Tile Around a Vent

All Posts, Remodeling 101, Tile

  I thought I’d show you a little trick for notching tile when you have to install around a vent or outlet.  Of course, this only works if the obstacle is on the outside edge of your tile.

*You need a wet saw.  (You can rent one for about $40-60 a day.  I bought one because as much as we move and I remodel, I end up using one quite often.)

***Using a wet saw in 20 degree temperatures will cause you to get really cold!

I said I would be okay but Wes called a rental place and was excited to tell me a garage heater was only $8 a day.My mind was picturing a big-ass blower kind of heater so when he came back with this…

cutting tile

It was a sweet gesture!  It did actually end up being useful because I could stop and defrost my hands every couple minutes.

Anyway, back to the point:

1.  Mark what you want to remove and cut slits all along that area, as shown below.

cutting tile around vent 2

2.  Take a hammer and carefully “whack” out what you want to remove!

cut tile slits

3.  Butter it up with thinset/mortar/adhesive…whatever you are using to install- and lay it down.

cut tile around vent

Ta-Da!

 It’s as easy as that!

I’m sick as a dog today.  I worked through it yesterday but gave in to bed and chicken soup today.

Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow and can work though a few more items.  Who am I kidding?  My list just keeps getting longer and longer.  Hopefully I’ll feel better so I can work through about 100 more items tomorrow, and then 100 more on Saturday and maybe 30 on Sunday.  Then we can all take a VACATION and enjoy the Holidays. Hey, I’m a dreamer!

December 17, 2010 · 9 Comments

« Pine Tree Topiaries {Guest Post}
Welcome 2011 {and all the new adventures you bring} »

Comments

  1. CarliAlice says

    December 17, 2010 at 3:40 am

    I hope you feel better soon! I'm going to take a crack at redoing my kitchen table this spring — wouldn't be up to the task without your blog!

    Reply
  2. Betty819 says

    December 17, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    When you finish your bathroom, I have two that could stand remodeling! I will even help you! LOL! I love your blog..you are such an inspiration for other housewives or women in general to learn how to do these things themselves. Your work is very professional looking. Think of the money you saved by doing it yourself, not to mention the self satisfaction. What's the next project you will be working on? Can't wait to see!

    Reply
  3. Life in Rehab says

    December 17, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    Ooooooooooo, cool trick! Thanks, Sandra, and I hope you feel better soon!

    Reply
  4. dianeb says

    December 17, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    sssheeesh Sandrayou are amazing!I LOOOOOVE you library….well, I love it all!

    Reply
  5. Andrea says

    December 17, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    I feel so good about myself, because for once, I actually already know how to do what you demonstrated! What about cutting faucet/toilet drain holes out of the MIDDLE of a big piece of tile, though. I always make Ty do it, cause I haven't figured it out…yet. Got any tips?Thank you for reminding me how much I dislike remodeling. The nerve endings in my fingers will never be the same after using a wet saw (and WHY do we only need to tile in the winter time?!) so many times. Yuck.p.s. we tiled backsplashes in our bathrooms almost two years ago, and I was just thinking I would suggest that Ty finally grout them (my job – but I hate it) this Christmas break. p.p.s. Wow. That was a comment of novel proportions. Sorry.

    Reply
  6. Katie @ Chirp in the Forest says

    December 17, 2010 at 7:06 pm

    Perfect timing Sandra! We're about to tile our bathroom floor (hopefully tonight but Hubs wants to do it tomorrow). Never used a tile saw before and the behemoth we borrowed keeps baring its teeth at me, so we'll see how it goes.

    Reply
  7. Martie Kilroy says

    December 18, 2010 at 12:06 am

    I'm so excited to have found your blog. I love seeing all of your projects unfold. Can't wait to try some myself.

    Reply
  8. Jenna @ SAS Interiors - Simple. Affordable. Stylish. says

    December 24, 2010 at 2:21 pm

    Great IDEA!I just came across your website and it's a great resource. Check out my interior design & decor website, SAS Interiors @ http://www.sasinteriors.blogspot.comHappy Holidays~Jenna, SAS Interiors

    Reply
  9. archytype says

    October 14, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Thanks for the tip, I’m about to try it with Slate tile for the first time! Wish me luck!

    Reply

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