Tiling Job In Kerteh

 

It was the most inopportune time to do such a heavy job like tiling during the fasting month of Ramadhan. It was planned to be done earlier before the beginning of Ramadhan but due to the delay in completion of other job by the so called contractor, it had to be done during the fasting month itself.
My son in law Lokman had requested me to do the tiling job for his extended kitchen at his home in Kerteh, Terengganu. Since I love tiling job and the prospect of laying large 600 x 600 mm (approx 24 x 24 inc) tiles for the first time, made me accept the offer. I haven't worked on such tile size before and lacked the equipment as I only have 18 inches cutter that can cut tiles below 18 inches. I have checked around at the hardware shops and the cheapest model would cost me RM320.00. So I invested in a cheaper made in China Bossman marble cutter instead which costs only RM210 inclusive of a 4 inch disc blade. It should complement my Makita 6 inch circular saw that can be converted to a marble cutter by replacing the cutting disc to cut tiles. My earlier perception that there will not be much cutting needed since the large tiles will only be for the table tops, sides and pillars. How wrong I was as the table was only 22 inches wide and most pieces of the large tiles must be trimmed to 23 inches, the final width of the kitchen table top. As an advice to any home maker, please ensure that the kitchen table tops are designed for 24 inches and thus avoid lots of trimmings and cutting and save on man hours.

I went to Kerteh some three days before the beginning of the fasting month.

 The tools for the job.

All the necessary tools and some that maybe needed were brought along. Among the tools that I brought along are the Makita circular saw, the Bossman marble cutter, the mini jack hammer, a powerful masonry drill, the 18 inch tile cutter, an angled grinder, 2 lengths of 1 x 3 inches hollow aluminium bars and various small tools.

  The stack of tiles that I will be using.

 I had to wait for several days for other workers to complete the job or demolishing one wall of the house and concreting the floors of the extended area. At the last minute, my daughter decided to have a basinet near the dining area which requires some plumbing job for the water supply and outlet pipe. It required hacking and much dust was generated which spread all over the house despite a large plastic sheet was used as a screen.
While waiting for all these jobs to be done before I could proceed with my job, I spent time helping Lokman to paint up the outside walls of the extended kitchen.

  Balkis is always there to assist. 

  We let 5 years old Balkis to do whatever she could possibly do as a form of training.
 There were ample time for me to enjoy the company of Balkis whenever she isn't attending her kindergarten classes.

Balkis is enjoying herself watching cartoons on her mother's iPad.

Here she watches the cartoons on TV.

 When I told her to pose, these are the poses she gave me.

She is indeed a lively girl.

 Finally the floor was done. The plaster ceiling gang will move in next and they will take up another two days.

After the ceiling was done Lokman painted the ceiling.

 Finally I could start my tiling job. 330 mm square tiles (about 13 inches square) were used. Lokman got it cheap as it was on offer in Paka at RM1.50 each. The tiles were of good quality except for some with chipped sides which I had to watch out and hide them somewhere or use them as skirtings.

 When an area is done with the tilings, painting is immediately carried out. My daughter Azini too helped out.

Balkis is always there to help out.

  The biggest challenge is doing the table top for the kitchen cabinet which involved the use of the large 600 mm tiles. The place where the kitchen hob is to be placed requires cutting out a section of the tiles. My first try ended in a chipped piece and I had to do a new one. The other place that requires such cuttings was the place for the sink. Where no such cutouts were required, the job was a breeze.

The water filter was placed there temporarily as we could not do without it.

I had to invest in the bigger 24 inch cutter which cost me RM400 which I bought in Paka, Terengganu as non of the shops in Kerteh stock the cheaper models. They have the high end model of Eye brand from Japan which was offered at RM750 which is considered cheap compared to other places. Since I am not a professional tiler, the cheaper model should suffice.

The 24 inch tile cutter beside my 18 inch cutter.

 The table top and the splash walls were almost done.

My wife Fatthiyah helped out by filling the gaps with white cements where the white tiles were used.

 

  The dining table and refrigerator were moved to the new dining area.

The cabinet maker came to make the final measurement. They will only be moving in after Hari Raya as they have their hands full with orders.

Tiling job done. We celebrated by going to Bazaar Ramadan in Paka.

 The whole family at the Bazaar Ramadan.

 

 Nasi Arab was my choice. Lokman and me opted for Nasi Mandy with beef curry which cost RM7.00. I wanted one with mutton but they said mutton is too expensive.

 Colorful drinks.

 

 The crowd.

 

 Mohamad Faiq is currently my youngest grandchild. At 5 months old he had to be carried around.

 Close up of Mohamad Faiq.

 Chickens being grilled.

 Freshly grilled chicken. At this hour everything seems delicious.

 All the work was done and finally we headed for home. We took the yet to be completed Lebuhraya Pantai Timur joining it at the Bukit Besi Interchange after Dungun and exiting at the Kuala Trengganu Interchange. It was a smooth drive but driving during the fasting month made me sleepy. We stopped at a mosque along the way to freshen up. It was very risky and I almost fell asleep when I reached the district of Pasir Mas from Tanah Merah. The stop in Kg. Chekok to collect some durians which I have ordered via my cousin Aminah was a much needed break.
We reached home safe and sound and was very relieved to find our home intact even after a two weeks absence. Thank you Allah for the safe journey home.

My next tiling job will most probably be at my son Azuan's newly purchased home in Shah Alam. After that job, the investment on the new tools can be considered as recouped.