A tile leveling system for beginners can feel overwhelming at first — but once you understand how it works, it’s one of the simplest tools you’ll add to your tiling kit. Whether you’re a DIY homeowner tackling your first bathroom floor or a tradesperson new to leveling systems, this guide covers everything you need to know — what it is, why it matters, and exactly how to use it step by step.
What Is a Tile Leveling System?
A tile leveling system is a set of small plastic components — clips, wedges or caps — that hold adjacent tiles perfectly flush with each other while the tile adhesive cures underneath. Without one, even tiny variations in your subfloor or adhesive bed can cause lippage — where one tile sits higher than the next, creating an uneven, unprofessional finish.
It works as a temporary clamp. You place the clips under the tile edges, insert wedges or twist on caps to apply even pressure across both tiles, then remove everything the next day once the adhesive has set. The result is a flat, consistent surface with perfectly spaced grout joints — every time.
Fixplus® offers two systems designed for Irish tilers and DIYers: the Wedge Type and the Twist Type. Both work on floors and walls, and both deliver the same flat finish — they just go about it differently.
Why Do You Need One? The Problem It Solves
Lippage is the number one complaint after a tile job goes wrong. It happens for several reasons:
- Uneven subfloor — even a well-prepared floor has minor highs and lows
- Heavy large-format tiles — 60×60 cm or bigger tiles flex and settle unevenly without support
- Inconsistent adhesive bed — slightly more adhesive under one edge raises that corner
- Working solo — it’s difficult to hold two tiles perfectly flush while the adhesive grabs
A tile leveling system eliminates all of these problems in one go. It’s not just for professionals — it’s equally valuable for a DIY homeowner laying tiles for the first time, where there’s no second pair of hands to help hold everything in place.
The Two Fixplus® Systems Explained
Wedge Type — Best for Professionals and Large Jobs
The Wedge Type system uses a spacer clip slid under the tile edge, a reusable wedge pushed into the clip, and an adjustable plier to compress the wedge firmly and lock both tiles flush. It suits tile thicknesses from 3 mm to 15 mm and offers joint widths from 1 mm up to 4 mm — the widest range of any Fixplus® system.
- Fastest system for large floor areas
- Most joint width options — 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, up to 4 mm
- Plier required — BASIC (€18) or PRO metal-bodied (€22)
- Wedges are fully reusable — only clips are single-use
See the full step-by-step process in the Wedge Type Application Guide.
Twist Type — Best for DIY and Beginners
The Twist Type replaces the wedge and plier with a simple screw cap that you tighten by hand. Slide the clip under the tile, position the next tile, then twist the cap down until both tiles sit flush — no tools required. It suits tile thicknesses from 3 mm to 17 mm and is available in 1.5 mm and 2 mm joint widths.
- No plier needed — completely tool-free application
- Caps have an open design — you can see the joint as you work
- Ideal for smaller tiles under 40×40 cm — caps can go directly at joint intersections to save material
- Caps are fully reusable — only clips are single-use
Follow the full walkthrough in the Twist Type Application Guide.
How to Use a Tile Leveling System — Step by Step
Both systems follow the same basic process. Here’s how it works from start to finish:
- Prepare your subfloor — ensure it’s clean, dry, and as flat as possible before you start. A leveling system corrects minor imperfections, not major structural issues.
- Apply tile adhesive — spread adhesive on the subfloor and comb it with a notched trowel. For large tiles, also apply a thin layer to the back of the tile (back-buttering) for full contact.
- Lay the first tile — press it firmly into the adhesive bed. Slide your spacer clips under the tile edges — typically a few centimetres in from each corner.
- Position the next tile — place it alongside the first, making sure the clip sits under both tile edges at once.
- Apply the wedge or cap — for Wedge Type, push the wedge into the clip by hand then compress with the plier. For Twist Type, screw the cap down by hand until firm.
- Check and adjust — if a tile shifts slightly, correct it by hand or with a rubber mallet before the adhesive sets.
- Repeat across the entire area — work row by row, placing clips at every tile edge junction.
- Allow adhesive to cure — always follow your adhesive manufacturer’s drying time. Clips are typically removed the next day.
- Remove the clips — strike firmly in the direction of the grout joint using a rubber mallet or your foot. Clips snap cleanly at the base. Collect your wedges or caps for reuse.
Prefer to watch rather than read? The Fixplus® Video Instructions show the full process for both systems in clear, easy-to-follow detail.
Choosing the Right Clip Size for Your Project
Getting the right clip is as important as the system itself. Here’s what to consider:
- Joint width — match the clip size to your intended grout joint. Fixplus® clips are available in 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm (up to 4 mm with select clips). Most standard Irish tiling jobs use 1.5 mm or 2 mm.
- Tile thickness — standard ceramic wall tiles are typically 6–8 mm; porcelain floor tiles are usually 10–12 mm. Both fall well within the compatible range for either system.
- Clip size variant — Fixplus® offers Standard, Long, and Small clip variants. Standard suits most jobs; Long clips are useful for wider spacing; Small clips are designed for smaller format tiles.
Not sure how many clips you need? Use the free Fixplus® Clips Calculator — enter your floor area, tile length, and tile width and it gives you an exact quantity in seconds.
The Best Way to Start — Fixplus® Starter Kits
If you’re new to tile leveling, the smartest first purchase is a Fixplus® Starter Kit. Each kit bundles everything you need — clips, wedges or caps, and a plier where required — at a better price than buying separately.
- Twist Type Starter Kit (100 pcs) — €31.38 — the ideal beginner kit. No plier needed. Covers a small to medium domestic area. Perfect for first-time DIYers.
- Wedge Type Starter Kit BASIC (100 pcs) — €41.85 — includes spacer clips, wedges, and a BASIC plier. Covers approx. 10 m² with 60×60 cm tiles. Great for tilers starting out with the wedge system.
- Wedge Type Starter Kit PRO (100 pcs) — €49.69 — same contents but with the more durable metal-bodied PRO plier. Recommended for anyone planning to use the system regularly.
All kits ship from Fixplus®’s warehouse in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Orders over €99 qualify for free shipping nationwide, with next-day delivery via DPD when ordered before 12:00 PM. Browse all options in the Fixplus® shop — and if you have any questions before ordering, the team at Fixplus® Customer Services is available 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a tile leveling system and how does it work?
A tile leveling system uses small plastic clips placed under tile edges, combined with wedges or screw caps, to hold adjacent tiles perfectly flush while the tile adhesive cures. Once the adhesive has hardened, the clips are knocked off cleanly at the grout joint, leaving a flat, even tiled surface. Fixplus® offers two systems — Wedge Type and Twist Type — both suitable for floor and wall tiling.
Is a tile leveling system suitable for beginners?
Absolutely — both Fixplus® systems are designed to be practical and easy to learn. The Twist Type is particularly beginner-friendly as it requires no plier; you simply screw the cap on by hand. The Fixplus® Video Instructions are a great starting point if you’ve never used a leveling system before.
How many tile leveling clips do I need for my project?
The number of clips depends on your tile size. As a general guide, 60×60 cm tiles need approximately 10 clips per m², while smaller 30×30 cm tiles need around 20 clips per m². Use the free Fixplus® Clips Calculator to get an exact quantity for your specific tile dimensions and floor area.
Can I use a tile leveling system on wall tiles as well as floor tiles?
Yes — both the Wedge Type and Twist Type systems work on vertical wall applications as well as horizontal floor tiling. The process is the same; clips are placed along tile edges and wedges or caps applied to keep adjacent tiles flush while the adhesive grabs.
Are Fixplus® wedges and caps reusable?
Yes — both the wedges (Wedge Type) and caps (Twist Type) are fully reusable across multiple jobs. Only the clips are single-use — they snap cleanly at the base of the grout joint during removal. Collecting and reusing your wedges and caps significantly reduces the ongoing cost per job.
Does Fixplus® deliver to my area in Ireland?
Fixplus® ships nationwide across Ireland from its warehouse in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Orders placed before 12:00 PM are dispatched the same day via DPD for next-day delivery. Free shipping applies on all orders over €99. For bulk or trade enquiries, contact the team directly through Customer Services.