Oh, this is a good one-folks usually forget about replacing trowels until they're causing problems. Let me tell you, a dull or damaged trowel can ruin a tile job faster than you think.
First, let's talk about how you use it. If you're a DIYer who does a tile project once a year? A good trowel (like a stainless steel one) can last 5-10 years. But if you're a pro, laying tile every week? You might need to replace it every 6-12 months. I'm somewhere in between-do a few projects a year-and my favorite trowel lasted 7 years before I had to replace it.
Now, how do you know when it's time to toss it? Look for these signs:
The notches are worn down. If the edges of the notches are rounded (instead of sharp), they won't spread thinset evenly. I had a trowel like this once-laid subway tiles, and the thinset ridges were all lumpy. Turned out the notches were worn, so I was getting uneven coverage. Had to buy a new trowel and redo the last row.
The trowel is bent or warped. If the blade isn't flat, you can't spread thinset in straight ridges. I dropped a trowel on a concrete floor once, bent the blade, and didn't notice until I was halfway through a backsplash. The thinset was all over the place-total mess.
Rust or corrosion. If your trowel is rusty, the rust can mix with thinset and stain your tiles. I had a cheap carbon steel trowel that rusted after a few uses-stained a white subway backsplash. Never used a carbon steel trowel again; stainless steel is worth the extra $5.
The best way to make your trowel last? Clean it right after use! Scrape off excess thinset, rinse it with water, and dry it. Don't let thinset dry on the trowel-it'll eat away at the notches. Trust me, a little cleaning goes a long way.
