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Flooring and Carpeting/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Tile floors | 2/8/2012 | John Michaels |
| Q: In our new home the complete 1st floor has beautiful porcelian tile laid out in the study, bathroom, ... A: First you should obtain the name of the EXACT manufacturer of the tiles, either by any cartons left, ... | ||
| hardy board | 2/8/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I was going to put ceramic tile in my new kitchen so I installed 1/4" hardy board on the floors ... A: Glad to help Tom... as an additional suggestion be careful to make sure that all of the backer board ... | ||
| hardy boad | 2/6/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I was going to put ceramic tile in my new kitchen so I installed 1/4" hardy board on the floors ... A: You might be surprised at the toughness of even a 1/4" of this backer board. Although I am not a fan ... | ||
| Floor covering in room with wood-burning stove | 2/3/2012 | John Michaels |
| Q: I have a heavily-used room which has a wood-burner stove in one corner. The stove is fitted onto ... A: One of the healthiest floor covering one can have is carpet. It has a pile that traps, filters, and ... | ||
| Carpet Tile Issue | 2/2/2012 | R Adams |
| Q: We just had a carpet vendor install Milliken carpet tiles in the common area corridors and elevator ... A: Bands that traverse tiles are usually not manufacturing related, however it is still a possibility ... | ||
| engineered hardwood | 2/2/2012 | R Adams |
| Q: Had engineered hardwood floors installed in my hallway and vanity area of bathroom last spring. ... A: Spot removal really depends on what the spots are from. If they look dirty they may be glue spots ... | ||
| Travertine tile outside | 2/2/2012 | Don Moore |
| Q: I'm considering travertine tile on my screened in porch floor. I live in coastal south NC so ... A: As far as I know you do not have to purchase an entire pallet at Home Depot. Travertine is a very ... | ||
| How to remove buildup of | 2/1/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: We have sealed Spanish Pavers over 25 years ago, and then put "Mop & Glow" on them for many years. ... A: SR-5 Stripper, made by Sparks. You would find it in tile distributors. From our website, ... | ||
| tile over radiant heat | 2/1/2012 | Chris |
| Q: Chris, Im installing electric radiant heat over part of a bathroom floor. I plan to tile over it ... A: Ok Paul, Typically since the floor is smooth / level and ready I would flat trowel the section of ... | ||
| How to remove buildup of "Mop&Glow" from Spanish pavers (terra cotta tile) | 2/1/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: We have sealed Spanish Pavers over 25 years ago, and then put "Mop & Glow" on them for many years. ... A: I've been asked many times over the years how to strip mop and glow. I believe they have finally put ... | ||
| Crema Marfil Porcelain | 2/1/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I have read some of your replies about Crema Marfil tiles cupping and would like to know if you can ... A: While the large format tile will always have a concern with minor deflection or out of square ... | ||
| tile over radiant heat | 1/31/2012 | Chris |
| Q: Chris, Im installing electric radiant heat over part of a bathroom floor. I plan to tile over it ... A: Paul, What type of sub floor and grade are you going over. Wood / above grade ? Below grade? ... | ||
| Tile/Cement board removal | 1/29/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: Mr. Malizia, My rental property needs a little TLC in regards to flooring. I tiled the front entry ... A: Mr. Ryan; I would not try to take up the wooden substrate since the perimeter walls also sit on ... | ||
| Asbestos in Linoleum | 1/28/2012 | Carol Blaha |
| Q: Carol: I have a Armstrong sheet linoleum floor which was installed in 1975 in my kitchen of about ... A: If there was asbestos in the floor it most likely would be the bottom layer installed in 75. Do you ... | ||
| Install wood flooring over linoleum | 1/28/2012 | Chris |
| Q: Chris: I plan to install a wood floor in my kitchn. The floor currently has a sheet of linoleum and ... A: Nicholas, What method of installation are you going to use? You can very well leave the vinyl down ... | ||
| floor tile meets stone wall | 1/28/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I am about to start tiling the floor in my kitchen & family room. My problem is that my 1980s house ... A: I have done this both ways and my conclusion is that plowing out a groove to receive the tile is by ... | ||
| Carpet Installation | 1/25/2012 | Chris |
| Q: Chris- I've installed carpeting with my father off and on for years primarily for friends, ... A: Joel, Sorry for the delay getting to you. I have been out of town for the last week and working my ... | ||
| water proofing under tile | 1/25/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I am working on rebuilding a bathroom and have been doing light residential repairs for many years. ... A: Sorry I am tardy Thomas...slammed at work lately. Thank you for your question Thomas, It ... | ||
| kitchen tile grout | 1/23/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: The grout color has faded since house was built 6 years ago. Di we regrout or is there another ... A: I am sitting here trying to figure out why in such a short time the color of your grout has "faded". ... | ||
| Tile/Cement board removal | 1/22/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: Mr. Malizia, My rental property needs a little TLC in regards to flooring. I tiled the front entry ... A: Mr. Ryan; Sorry for the delay; In general, Concrete Backer Boards or CBB underlayments are ... | ||
| Removing ceramic tiles and installing vinyl floor | 1/21/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: Once I have removed the tiles( 60% done) and scrapped of the thin set should I install a 3/8 thick ... A: Certainly with the removal of the old adhesive (thinset) you can opt to employ a plywood ... | ||
| grout coloring/staining | 1/21/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: I read an earlier Q&A about staining grout around marble tile but didn't see the answer I'm after. ... A: Ted; Sorry for the delay. You are correct some colorants can't be used on marble, but the GDC ... | ||
| level sagging wooden floor | 1/20/2012 | R Adams |
| Q: We have just brought a 50 year old timber house with timber flooring. Once previous owner's ... A: You said your floor slopes. Assuming it is sagging (downward deflection) toward the middle of the ... | ||
| grout | 1/16/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: we just installed ceramic tile (not glazed) on our ounter in the kitchen. It looks really good. we ... A: Mrs. Johns; Sorry for the delay. If the grout is even and the color is what you want, then that ... | ||
| Recently discovered brick floor | 1/16/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: I bought a house last year, and have recently discovered that the den area has brick flooring under ... A: 1. How do I clean the brick after removing the carpet and pad? The best and most complete way to ... | ||
| grout | 1/16/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: we just installed ceramic tile (not glazed) on our ounter in the kitchen. It looks really good. we ... A: Dawn; Sorry for the delay. Q. We just installed ceramic tile (not glazed) on our ounter in the ... | ||
| grout color | 1/13/2012 | Michael C. Malizia |
| Q: avocado is the color. I called the company, Bostik, and they discontinued it. I can't find anything ... A: Rob; Sorry for the delay. Q. Hi Michael - I had planned to use a grout by Hydroment, "Avocado" ... | ||
| Ceramic tile in bathroom | 1/13/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I am planning to install a tile floor and wall tile (about 4 feet up) in a bathroom. The current ... A: Based upon what I have read with your question you are changing out a floor and adding a wainscot ... | ||
| door drags on carpet | 1/13/2012 | Chris |
| Q: we just had new carpet installed. Now the french doors to the outside drag on the carpet. Have you ... A: Phil, I usually cut the door with a circular saw and a couple of clamps to set up a straight edge ... | ||
| what kind of tape can i put on a trazzo floor ? | 1/12/2012 | John Michaels |
| Q: I work at a school and the teachers would like to put a tape line down thaw hallway what kind of ... A: A tape has an adhesive that may transfer onto the surface of the tiles. If you put a strong ... | ||
| Tile selection | 1/11/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: I'm so excited I found this website! I need suggestions on what color tile and pattern would look ... A: The thing to do is to go to some of the larger tile distributor showrooms and see what they have ... | ||
| Tile design question | 1/11/2012 | Perry Vellenga |
| Q: I'm so excited I found this website! I need suggestions on what color tile and pattern would look ... A: I often receive questions in regards to design appointments and schemes and to be honest I don't ... | ||
| Porcelain tile floor not flat | 1/10/2012 | Chris |
| Q: I had my kitchen floor and foyer tiled with 18"x18" porcelain tile. Previously the kitchen floor ... A: Bruce, This is rather extreme. I am always held liable and therefore make sure that any wild ... | ||
| recomendation for type of carpet and padding | 1/9/2012 | R Adams |
| Q: We are going to replace our carpeting in two rooms. Our main concern is the living room area ... A: As a certified independent inspector I do not recommend brand names, but here is some guidance on ... | ||
| Vinyl sheet flooring | 1/9/2012 | Carol Blaha |
| Q: We had Armstrongs vinyl sheet flooring installed in our house in October. We have noticed a strong ... A: All products today are made within EPA guidelines for good indoor air quality. Just because the ... | ||
| Carpet info | 1/9/2012 | John Michaels |
| Q: RN 72818, Style: Holland, 100% BCF Nylon, 15 Width, Color Ivory,Pattern repeat 5/8 w x 3/4 l.I know ... A: The RN number you list is for Carpet One, so finding out the name of the manufacturer will take some ... | ||
| luxary vinyl | 1/8/2012 | Chris |
| Q: We are remodeling a 100 yr old house. The kitchen, dining room, laundry room and bath are on the ... A: Since the advent of vinyl plank flooring and also the tile lines I have always considered it to be a ... | ||
| sealing marble mosaic shower floor | 1/7/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: Hey Bill, I have a mosaic marble shower floor, laid over porcelain tile and a proper shower pan etc. ... A: The HMK material is similar to the 511, the difference being the addition of a fluoropolymer ... | ||
| sealing marble mosaic shower floor | 1/6/2012 | Bill Hohmann |
| Q: Hey Bill, I have a mosaic marble shower floor, laid over porcelain tile and a proper shower pan etc. ... A: The 511 is of such a nature that, however is it applied the first time is what determines whether it ... | ||
| Tile sound barrier | 1/5/2012 | Carol Blaha |
| Q: I am a condo owner in NM and wish to replace my carpet with tile due to allergy and cleansability ... A: The most accepted sound barrier as you describe is cork underlayment. It is used in the music ... | ||
Flooring and Carpeting
Answers by Expert:
Perry Vellenga
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Ceramic Tile/Marble. I can answer questions about floor preparation, tile selection, layout questions, performance of products, expectations of finish, compatabilities, questions about grout and epoxies, evaluating an installer, asking the right questions to check competence...more? 30 years this August 09'/ many years in commercial application from exterior finishes to Mall store fronts/ interior finishes like floor packages in stores inside Malls examples: The Limited, Lerner/NY, Lane Bryants, Bombay Co., ect...
Experience
I worked in an exclusive field of floorcovering called "Tenant Development" which is by invitational bid only, by way of a National bid list. These are large floor packages usually over 3500 sq. ft. of 18" x 18" Marble and Granite and many other types of Marble and sizes. They are specialty stores where the floor package can cost upwards of $50,000 for one store. I have also done "Structure" stores and J. Riggins stores, Express and Body Shop stores where wood flooring is used. Presently work for a National Flooring Company in the Residential new construction arena that covers most interior design elements..Granite Slab tops/wood flooring both job finished and prefinished ect..
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