Tile is a bit unique in that it must be cut with a wet saw.
Using a wet saw is the only way to ensure that a tile is not going to crack as you are trying to get it to the proper shape.
If you need a tile cut but don’t have access to a wet saw, you may be wondering where you can have this service done.
Luckily, you can head to your local Lowe’s to be able to get your tile cut for you quickly and efficiently.
Will Lowe’s Cut Tile for You?
Most Lowe’s locations will cut tile for you while you wait.
We cannot say that the Lowe’s store nearest you is going to be willing to stand there and cut all the tile for your bathroom, but cutting one or two tiles is a service they offer.
You will need to make sure that there is a service person in place that day who is capable of cutting the tile.
You also have to measure and mark your tile to ensure that this process is done correctly.
The employees at Lowe’s who are cutting tile are likely no different than you or anyone else in the store.
These are not normally certified tile workers who have spent their life in the industry.
Therefore, there are a few tips and tricks to making sure that you get this process completed properly the first time.
Tips for Getting Tile Cut at Lowe’s
As we mentioned, there is a right way and a wrong way to have your tile cut at Lowe’s.
If you want to make sure you follow the proper protocol to get your tile cut the right way, we have you covered.
Here are some basic tips to get tile cut at Lowe’s.
1. Call Store Ahead of Time
Although most Lowe’s stores have a wet saw, it is not always going to be up and running.
The best thing to do is to call the store ahead of time.
If they have an issue with the wet saw, or there is no one on staff that day who is certified to use it, you may have to choose another location.
Sometimes it is worth trying to go to Home Depot and have them cut the tile instead.
When you call the store, they will likely tell you that the tile they cut will need to have been purchased at Lowe’s.
2. Purchase Your Tile at Lowe’s
If you want to make sure that Lowe’s is going to be willing to cut your tile, you need to buy the tile from them.
As you can imagine, Lowe’s is offering this service as a way to help their customers.
If you are not a customer and didn’t purchase your tile from the Lowe’s store, you are going to be asking a lot by having them cut the tile for you.
If you purchased your tile at Lowe’s sometime in the past, but you think you are ready to have it cut now, try to bring the receipt with you.
Sometimes the person operating the saw is going to ask to see the receipt before they complete your project.
This is likely one of the requirements given to them by the Lowe’s corporate office.
If you only need one piece of tile cut, you may want to purchase two before you head over to the wet saw.
Sometimes a tile will crack or break as it is being cut, and this is not the responsibility of the Lowe’s employee.
Essentially, since the service they are offering is complimentary, any damage that is done will be at your own risk.
3. Measure Your Tile Perfectly
Make sure that the tile you are having cut is measured perfectly before you try to have it cut.
Since you don’t have the luxury of having the saw right next to you, the cut will have to be exact.
Nothing is worse than having the cut be off by a quarter-inch and then discovering the error after you return home and having to go back to the Lowe’s store.
You are better off measuring the first time correctly and getting this project completed quickly.
4. Mark the Tile Carefully
When you do complete this measurement, make sure that you mark it well.
Making a very thick line can be confusing for the person working at Lowe’s.
They won’t know if they need to cut in the middle of the line, the inside or the outside.
Be specific about where you expect them to make the cut so that you can get home and be able to pop your tile directly into place.
It’s also a good idea to make this line clear and dark so that the person can follow it with the saw.
The saws that Lowe’s uses to do these types of projects are not always the top-of-the-line models that are going to have excellent visibility.
Chances are the cuts are going to be a bit more general than they are precise, and you must be prepared for that.
5. Bring Your Receipt with You
After you purchase your tile and you head to the back of the store to have the cut done, make sure that you bring your receipt with you.
Chances are the employee is going to ask to see a copy of the receipt as it will help to make sure that your tile was purchased at Lowe’s.
If you purchased the tile a long time in the past, simply let them know and try to show the receipt from that time.
If you have to bring a credit card statement in to show the charge, that may potentially work as well.
Make sure that you hold on to your receipt, as this is not the only time that you will need it.
When you are leaving the store, if you walk out with a cut tile, the managers in the front of the store may ask what you are doing.
Chances are they are going to look for a receipt from you to make sure that you are a customer and not just taking advantage of the free service.
Also, they want to make sure that, at some point in the process, you did actually pay for the tile that you are leaving with.
6. Be Reasonable About Your Request
Although purchasing a wet saw to complete a small kitchen or bathroom project may seem a bit extreme, it is also extreme to expect Lowe’s to help you with your entire project.
This service is in place as a convenience for the customers.
If you have one tile that doesn’t fit or even two, the customer service agent at Lowe’s will be happy to help.
However, when you bring in a box of tiles, and they all need different cuts, this will be a bit of an unreasonable request.
At this point, you will be much better off choosing something like a wet saw rental as opposed to using the free tile cutting service that Lowe’s offers.
Can You Rent a Wet Saw from Lowe’s?
If you find that you have too many tiles to make it a reasonable thing to ask from a Lowe’s employee, another option is to rent a wet saw.
In fact, if you ask an employee to make 25 tile cuts for you, chances are they will direct you to the tool rental department.
Renting a wet saw can be done by the hour or by the day.
For a one-time project, you will find that this is the most economical choice.
If you are starting as a small home improvement business, chances are you are going to need to purchase a wet saw for yourself.
Sometimes you can also use different tools that will snap tiles instead of the wet saw.
However, these tools are going to probably be a much larger investment.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel comfortable moving forward to get tiles cut at Lowe’s.
This is an excellent solution for a quick-fix or project.
Try to be realistic about what you are asking and don’t get the employees involved with very difficult cuts.
Remember that these are not tile people working for you, but they are simply offering a favor for free.
Keep these tips and facts in mind, and you will likely benefit from this tremendous complimentary service.
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