| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| cleaning mortar residue off driveway | 11/8/2009 |
Q: hi- our contractor was quite messy = there are large white areas on concrete driveway - i suspect of ...
A: Well to be honest Susan the best and safest way to remove this construction film is to call the ...
|
| ceramic tile | 11/7/2009 |
Q: i stripped the wax off the ceramic tile because it was peeling. now it has no gloss at all and ...
A: Well you have posed a mystery because I do not have a good frame of reference as to what kind of ...
|
| Thin set | 11/6/2009 |
Q: Can you die thin set with a color additive to match your grout application? ANSWER: Thank you for ...
A: Hey Chris, Your "cagey" process of inquiry is interesting but again the answer to the question ...
|
| Replacement tiles | 11/6/2009 |
Q: I have replaced two large porcelain tile in my kitchen the original tiles have been down for 4 ...
A: Your prudent and wise decision to save tiles for future repairs is now paying dividends. The shade ...
|
| Marble Tile | 11/5/2009 |
Q: I resently had marble put on my floor. The installation was not that great. Their is a small ...
A: Well the "idea" is correct but the process is a little incomplete. Sanding the Stone will do little ...
|
| New Carrera kitchen countertops | 11/5/2009 |
Q: I just moved into a new condo last week, which has brand new carrera (white with grey veins) marble ...
A: While I love Carrera Stone it is a worrisome Stone to care for. I saw no mention of a spouse/kids ...
|
| Thin set | 11/5/2009 |
Q: Can you die thin set with a color additive to match your grout application?
A: Your single question raises several questions in me, but in short a dye can be added to thinset ...
|
| Installation of 16" x 16" travertine tile | 11/4/2009 |
Q: Good morning! The installation will be where there was ceramic tile cemented to the slab under. ...
A: I see where you used the word "was" so I am assuming that the old material has been removed along ...
|
| tile | 11/4/2009 |
Q: We installed the locking ceramic tile that you just float on top of the existing floor (Lowe's 3 ...
A: The material in question is indeed a caulk way more than it is a grout, even though it is performing ...
|
| Black slate | 11/3/2009 |
Q: Hi i was sanding a wood floor and hit the side of a black slate hearth it put a big scratch ontop ...
A: Slate is a very easy material to fix this kind of happening. Really all you need to do is purchase a ...
|
| Back from the Bahamas...Different Floor Problem | 11/2/2009 |
Q: Firstly, thanks for you "best kept secret" on my other floor...it worked like a dream! Pity anyone ...
A: Michael, What kind of Stone work is all of this exposure being used for? Simple walkways, ...
|
| travertine flooring prep | 11/2/2009 |
Q: my property does some heaving due to excess water in the ground (clay). We plan to install some ...
A: The primary problem with a floor that "heaves" is that over time it can settle back down only to ...
|
| What type of thinset can be used? | 11/1/2009 |
Q: Help...once again Perry. I just read your answer to Larry G regarding your preference for modified ...
A: Hey Michael, Working in a Tropical climate the ambient humidity is going to be significantly ...
|
| Back from the Bahamas...Different Floor Problem | 10/31/2009 |
Q: Firstly, thanks for you "best kept secret" on my other floor...it worked like a dream! Pity anyone ...
A: Hey Michael, Most of the "unseen" consequence for flooring installations is generated from ...
|
| tile not adhering to cement slab | 10/29/2009 |
Q: My 2,500 square feet of 18" tiles that we had installed three years ago are now starting to crunch ...
A: I find it a bit curious that there is such a "complete" failure to particular areas of this install. ...
|
| Tile shower installation... | 10/28/2009 |
Q: We own a manufactured home and want to replace our shower insert stall with a total tile shower. The ...
A: Building a shower from scratch is not for amateurs especially when considering a properly assembled ...
|
| Removing mastic from tile | 10/28/2009 |
Q: We recently built a house and the shower is beautiful! The only thing is that the contractor didn't ...
A: I am scratching my head in regards to what kind of "mastic" is black, heck even thinset is either ...
|
| Ditra over 2 | 10/28/2009 |
Q: I have a new T %26 G (2x6) pine floor liquid nailed and groove nailed to 3 x 8 floor joists on 24" ...
A: Hey Michael, I spent way too many years working on my craft in Florida so I do have extensive ...
|
| Ditra over 2 | 10/27/2009 |
Q: I have a new T %26 G (2x6) pine floor liquid nailed and groove nailed to 3 x 8 floor joists on 24" ...
A: Hey Michael, Well it would seem that the contractor in question has set his own threshold for ...
|
| Roman Stone kitchen flooring | 10/27/2009 |
Q: We bought our home about 6 years ago and one of the projects we did was to install vinyl tiles over ...
A: Hey Bob, OSB is just the abbreviated letters describing "Oriented Strand Board"...a fancy ...
|
| Vitrified on mosaic floor | 10/26/2009 |
Q: Perry, I am in Bangalore, India and have a home that has mosaic floor. I am thinking of removing ...
A: There is always an inherent "plus" and a "minus" when it comes to considering a tile over tile ...
|
| Roman Stone kitchen flooring | 10/25/2009 |
Q: We bought our home about 6 years ago and one of the projects we did was to install vinyl tiles over ...
A: Any tile installed over a vinyl tile sub-assembly will sooner of later fail. It is something that ...
|
| Ditra over 2" x 6" T&G Planking | 10/24/2009 |
Q: I have a new T %26 G (2x6) pine floor liquid nailed and groove nailed to 3 x 8 floor joists on 24" ...
A: Forgive me Michael...I laughed out loud when I first read the content of your problem. Sorry, but as ...
|
| lifting tiles | 10/23/2009 |
Q: I was reading an old dialogue that you had with a gal regarding "tenting" of her tiles. We are ...
A: Hey Michelle, Over the years Michelle I have made a personal decision to use nothing but a ...
|
| Marble tiles in Kitchen/foyer area | 10/22/2009 |
Q: We are looking at buying a home. We like everything in the home, except that the kitchen , foyer and ...
A: You are wrestling with what may homeowners have struggled with before you did...and it is a concern ...
|
| Tile size in a small bathroom | 10/22/2009 |
Q: Would you suggest 24x12 tile on the wall and 24X24 on the floor of a 1/2 bath that is 36x84? Also ...
A: I like the proposed combination and it is a workable scenario. To be honest Lynn I completely prefer ...
|
| Vinyl glue on sub floor | 10/22/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased a house that is 33 years old and had carpeting through out the intial plan was ...
A: The old adhesive has to go. It will stand as a barrier to the setting material and a new floor would ...
|
| Floor Level for Marble Installation | 10/21/2009 |
Q: There is lippage about 30 square feet in the last part of the 500 square feet marble installation. ...
A: Your question is both fair and expected. It is not "Rocket Science" to evaluate a floor prior to an ...
|
| Mortar bed | 10/20/2009 |
Q: I'm looking to have a 1" mortar bed installed to even floor for tile installation which I'll be ...
A: The cost of a specialized method of install is relative to the market you live in. What may seem to ...
|
| lifting tiles | 10/20/2009 |
Q: I was reading an old dialogue that you had with a gal regarding "tenting" of her tiles. We are ...
A: Hey Michelle, welcome back, Back in the day we used to acid wash most of our Quarry tile ...
|
| carpet Glue | 10/20/2009 |
Q: Is is necessary to remove old carpet glue before putting down self leveling cement to put down a ...
A: The answer is yes...if you don't remove the vast majority of the old adhesive then you will have a ...
|
| Cracking Marble Floor | 10/20/2009 |
Q: This past summer I removed old 4"x4" ceramic tiles layed in thinset mortar from a small bathroom in ...
A: It is surprising how even such a small break in a support structure can translate into such a large ...
|
| lifting tiles | 10/9/2009 |
Q: I was reading an old dialogue that you had with a gal regarding "tenting" of her tiles. We are ...
A: Once again this is one of those "unusual" situations that really isn't all that unusual. The ...
|
| Travetine floor | 10/8/2009 |
Q: We had installed in our home travetine flooring. I am wanting to clean the grout lines, but not sure ...
A: I usually try to support the local Tile Supply Store as much as I can as the large Home Improvement ...
|
| Den Floor... | 10/7/2009 |
Q: I purchased a house a little over two years ago. I had to get the guy I bought the house from to ...
A: I am trying to imagine the scenario you are presenting to me but it is difficult given the limited ...
|
| Mable Flloor Sanding Results - Terrible | 10/7/2009 |
Q: Please HELP!! I have cream color smooth marble 16x16 installed by a contractor in a large room 14 x ...
A: I hope you haven't paid this guy in full yet! He is trying to get away from a poor install leaving ...
|
| Flat pebble recovery tehnique | 10/7/2009 |
Q: We had a bathroom floor which included polished flat pebble border strips 300mm x 100mm - they were ...
A: A sharp bathroom Ian and I am familiar with the border you are wrestling with. There is no "real" ...
|
| tile | 10/7/2009 |
Q: can I use cork underlay instead of concrete backer over a wood kitchen subfloor. do I need both or ...
A: Well...I am still wondering about the "wood kitchen subfloor" description. Are we talking about a ...
|
| take up water damage hardwood | 10/6/2009 |
Q: best way to take up water damage glue dowm on concrete hardwood in a part of an area. then put the ...
A: Depending on the thickness of the wood what you will need to do is take a Circular Saw and cut down ...
|
| Tile Grade | 10/6/2009 |
Q: I was wondering how to find out what grade a tile is? Is there some kind of marking or stamp on the ...
A: Typically there isn't much in the way of distinguishing manufacturer markings on the underside of a ...
|
| 20 inch tile | 10/5/2009 |
Q: My husband and I have done many tile projects. Floors, showers, counters...etc. We have laid them ...
A: The truth of the matter is "every" tile job is a lot of work. I would have to unload the same amount ...
|
| leveling floor | 10/4/2009 |
Q: Perry. I'm a fellow Allexerts volunteer in the category of clocks. Right now I'm finishing an ...
A: A 26' span that is unsupported is a significant distance to carry and you are not done adding an ...
|
| Sealing Marble Tile | 10/4/2009 |
Q: I am about to install 16x16 and 12x12 polished marble tiles in a hopscotch pattern over ...
A: Hey Wendy, With so many offerings to consider even as a Professional in the field we simply ...
|
| tile grout | 10/3/2009 |
Q: the attached pix are from outside deck tile w porcelain. the grout is doing this in both full sun ...
A: Hey Bob, I suspect that it is in "both" as there appears to be a significant presence of ...
|
| tile transition | 10/3/2009 |
Q: what is the best tile pattern to transition a previously carpeted l-shaped space ( approx 36 SF) ...
A: To be honest there is no "best" way, but what I have done most often when presented with this ...
|
| tile grout | 10/2/2009 |
Q: the attached pix are from outside deck tile w porcelain. the grout is doing this in both full sun ...
A: Back in the day (my day) I would see this occasionally on vertical facades of exterior tile ...
|
| Tranistioning Tile to Tile in same room | 10/2/2009 |
Q: My business is expanding, we recently laid tile in our present office and will be taking down a wall ...
A: Congratulations on a growing business...no small achievement these days. Typically there is a 4" ...
|
| Installing 12 x 12 marble tiles in bathroom | 10/2/2009 |
Q: I am installing 12x12 marble tiles in a bath - on the floor and also on the walls above the bath ...
A: There is a tendency it seems for folks to more often choose a trowel that has a smaller notch so as ...
|
| Floor under wood stove | 10/1/2009 |
Q: We have a wood stove & need to replace the stone under it. What would be a good choice? We were ...
A: The typical recommendation seems to be Slate and it is a rustic, attractive material. It would work ...
|
| subfloor thickness and pan liner issue | 10/1/2009 |
Q: I have a friend that wants me to help him install a shower because I've done it before. But he has ...
A: Hey George, Ok I understand...lets start by finishing the missing curb. You can either ...
|
| laminate flooring | 10/1/2009 |
Q: Kitchen gutted, installing laminate flooring and new cabinets. Should laminate run completely under ...
A: You don't mention what "kind" of laminate flooring you have but typically most laminate flooring is ...
|
| water under tile floor | 9/30/2009 |
Q: back in the spring we had carpet taken up and a tile floor put down in our church. about 2 weeks ...
A: You mention that you installed a "tile" floor but describe a problem with "glue", this is a contrary ...
|
| Swanstone shower base | 9/30/2009 |
Q: How do I get rid of soap scum? I'm afraid to use any too caustic as it might ruin the finish but ...
A: The best "tool" I have found to battle this stuff is called a "Doodle Bug" and you can purchase a ...
|
| subfloor thickness and pan liner issue | 9/29/2009 |
Q: I have a friend that wants me to help him install a shower because I've done it before. But he has ...
A: Particle board is a simply dreadful material...even the "new" stuff. It's only good for elevated ...
|
| glued down floors | 9/29/2009 |
Q: I would like to know the best way to take up glued down hardwood flooring i plan on putting down ...
A: You would think that just renting a chipping hammer you could just breeze through this process...not ...
|
| expansion joints | 9/29/2009 |
Q: I am about to lay a porcelain tile floor in a 17 x 30 room. I am using 6x18 tile in a staggered ...
A: Hey Pete, No problem Pete, forget the expansion joint and simply provide a space at the ...
|
| flooring | 9/29/2009 |
Q: A small , irregularly utility room that is to double as a play room for small children what would be ...
A: Hey Julie, Attic space has been discovered as "free" space for many homeowners, but certainly ...
|
| expansion joints | 9/28/2009 |
Q: I am about to lay a porcelain tile floor in a 17 x 30 room. I am using 6x18 tile in a staggered ...
A: The sub-strate assembly is a better than minimum standard assembly...great, your consideration ...
|
| Cracked Porcelain Tiles | 9/28/2009 |
Q: Been in our new home for 2.5 years now. We have Italian porcelain tiles throughout our den and ...
A: You are experiencing the bane of modern day construction...quick construction by adhering to a short ...
|
| flooring | 9/28/2009 |
Q: A small , irregularly utility room that is to double as a play room for small children what would be ...
A: Your question is brief so my answer will be brief as well. For a play space designed for kids I ...
|
| Tile flooring | 9/27/2009 |
Q: We replaced carpeting in our lower level with non-slip tiles. They have a gritty facing. ...
A: Wow, that must be some kind of "textured" tile. I can remember installing commercial grade ...
|
| ceramic floor tile | 9/26/2009 |
Q: I have 850 sq. ft of existing tile flooring. Can new tile be installed on top of the existing tile? ...
A: The short answer is yes...you can install tile over tile. Also the short answer to your second ...
|
| Marble Tiling on top of rubber/cork underlayer | 9/25/2009 |
Q: I am working on a project in my multi level apartment on the second floor where the slab is ...
A: Hey Wayne, I understand your concerns my friend being in a far away place without the expertise ...
|
| Grouting Marble Tile | 9/24/2009 |
Q: I am about to install 16x16 and 12x12 polished marble tiles in a hopscotch pattern over ...
A: The first thing that pops into my head when I get a question like this is why all the other ...
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| Marble Tiling on top of rubber/cork underlayer | 9/24/2009 |
Q: I am working on a project in my multi level apartment on the second floor where the slab is ...
A: I have to wonder what was covering this sound proofing before you decided to check on Stone? While ...
|
| Neo angle shower | 9/23/2009 |
Q: Is there such an item to where I can create a pitched floor for a slab corner shower unit. I was ...
A: There is such a Company though I have not tried their product as I continue to do it the old ...
|
| White Onyx Tile with Resin backed | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I have read your previous answers on this subject and your response makes sense but why does every ...
A: The answer is simpler than you think...failure concerns. Why use a 5lb hammer when a 10lb hammer is ...
|
| New tile grout discolouration | 9/22/2009 |
Q: We just had our kitchen wall tiles installed yesterday. The installer told us not to get them wet ...
A: This is a mystery considering that you did nothing to promote this questionable outcome. I suspect ...
|
| Silicone Grout | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I took your advice a while back when I was having problems with the grout line between carrera ...
A: Hey Rich welcome back... Yes you can recover the suspect point of contact with a fresh layer ...
|
| Black marble for fireplace surround | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I am shopping for black marble tile to use as a fireplace surround with an antique fireplace. The ...
A: If you live in a "small market" city you may be selecting from a lessor grade of material. That ...
|
| Shower grout | 9/19/2009 |
Q: White shower grout is darkening and brownish areas not removed by bleach are becoming prominent. How ...
A: The bleach is not going to help you much John and will certainly destroy your grout or at least the ...
|
| porcelain tile | 9/18/2009 |
Q: We had porcelain tile installed today and we plan to wait 48 hours before putting the appliance on ...
A: I have to assume that the heavier appliance (Fridge) is on casters or wheels at least in the rear. ...
|
| white tile turning pink | 9/17/2009 |
Q: I have installed 2" white octagon glazed ceramic tile on bathroom floor which I bought at HD. ...
A: Well at least we think alike. Lighting can play tricks on surfaces that have muted colors. I used to ...
|
| white tile turning pink | 9/16/2009 |
Q: I have installed 2" white octagon glazed ceramic tile on bathroom floor which I bought at HD. ...
A: You are experiencing something that too many folks to even mention have discovered after an install, ...
|
| Exterior granite | 9/16/2009 |
Q: Greetings: I see Dave Davidson previously answered a question re granite installations. We have an ...
A: Failures always create personal doubt, in particular if you were the installer but less so if ...
|
| marble tile grout | 9/15/2009 |
Q: We laid a marble mosaic tile floor in our bathroom last weekend. It is a white square with tiny ...
A: Man do you put me on the spot. It is the size of the grout joint that determines the type of grout ...
|
| Marble Floor Spots | 9/14/2009 |
Q: Perry, My wife and I just had a marble tile floor installed in our kitchen. The floor looks great ...
A: The spots that you are seeing I suspect have originated from the grout stage of the install. You ...
|
| cleaning a brand new marble floor | 9/13/2009 |
Q: I hope you can help us. Our brand new beautiful cream colored marble floor arrived, we had it ...
A: You have me scratching my head at the moment with the quandary you currently find yourself in. I ...
|
| Porcelain Backsplash | 9/11/2009 |
Q: About to install 4x4 unglazed porcelain backsplash - about 42sf. Tiles have textured finish and the ...
A: Forgive my tardiness Robert...had a family emergency over the weekend, now on to your question... ...
|
| Have you used Durock Tile Membrane? | 8/25/2009 |
Q: I am trying to determine if I can avoid removing previous flooring if I put down a layer of Durock ...
A: Having watched the demonstration at the provided website I can see that there is potential there for ...
|
| Using Self Leveling compound on Outdoor OSB Subfloor | 8/24/2009 |
Q: I have enclose a 20x20 deck into a Screen Enclosure. I have a layed a 1/2" OSB Subfloor used 3 ...
A: Having already primed and painted your deck you have effectively sealed the OSB from anything being ...
|
| marble countertops | 8/24/2009 |
Q: I had white gray marble countertops installed in my kitchen. I'm certain they were not seal ...
A: Sometimes water spots are formed not from water but from the minerals "in" the water. These spots ...
|
| How can I darken tumbled tile? | 8/23/2009 |
Q: We recently put in New Venetian Gold granite and would like to do a dark brown backsplash. We like ...
A: You can stain a porous Stone but in the doing of this step you will need to also seal it. There are ...
|
| pet stains on travertine | 8/22/2009 |
Q: I read one of your responses re: pet urine stain on travertine floor tile suggesting a "poultice" to ...
A: Forgive my being tardy with my answer as I am currently moving across the Mountains. Thank you for ...
|
| floor prep for tile | 8/20/2009 |
Q: we are building a new home and intend on tiling the bathrooms, laundry and entrances. currently ...
A: Ok Suzanne, With your sub-floor being plywood you have a better quality of material with ...
|
| Tap Down Installation Questions | 8/20/2009 |
Q: I will do my best to explain my situation. We have just finished our basement. Carpet was placed on ...
A: I am not sure what is meant by a "tap down strip" as a point of transition. I suspect though that it ...
|
| Onyx Tile Floors | 8/18/2009 |
Q: I chose an expensive green onyx tile for my powder room wall and floor. In the areas of high ...
A: Well... to be honest Tejal someone has given you poor information as you should "never" use vinegar ...
|
| chipped cement subfloor | 8/18/2009 |
Q: I removed the ceramic tile from my very small bathroom. How do I repair or replace the cement ...
A: The quickest and easiest way to make the fix is to either skim out the floor with the thinset you ...
|
| floor prep | 8/17/2009 |
Q: what would be the best way to get a good bond for travertine over a painted concrete pooldeck
A: Well...the best way is to take a disc grinder and remove as much of the painted surface as possible. ...
|
| slate floor | 8/17/2009 |
Q: my contractor just installed slate tiles in our basement, over concrete. (Floor is heated) He did ...
A: It is not unusual that there be finish elevation differences between the average Slate install. The ...
|
| floor prep for tile | 8/17/2009 |
Q: we are building a new home and intend on tiling the bathrooms, laundry and entrances. currently ...
A: Hey Suzanne, This piece of information that someone from the tile store imparted to you is ...
|
| Ceramic Tile | 8/17/2009 |
Q: We are building a new house and are using 3/4" plywood on the floor. We would like to put ceramic ...
A: Hey Garry, Typically we like to see a minimum of 1 1/4" sub-strate thickness assembly for a ...
|
| Tiling a very small bathroom! | 8/17/2009 |
Q: I have two small bathrooms, both of which are 30 square feet total. Minus the vanity and toilet, ...
A: I would encourage you to add 13" and 15" or 16" format tiles as you may discover the perfect look in ...
|
| reconstituted marble flooring | 8/16/2009 |
Q: I have been asked to install appox 150sq meters of reconstituted marble over a plywood subfloor ...
A: Well...first maybe I should ask if you have experience doing this sort of thing? Any "flexing" or ...
|
| removal of ceramic tile | 8/16/2009 |
Q: I have an older home and particle board was used as the sub-flooring ceramic tile was laid on top of ...
A: You have some trouble facing you as particle board is a dreadful material to have anything installed ...
|
| Surface damage to marble floor tiles | 8/16/2009 |
Q: We had a lemon marble floor put in our kitchen in February. It was beautiful and shiny until ...
A: Your Lemon Marble floor looks a lot like Onyx Stone to me...I love it! It takes a certain amount of ...
|
| floor tile in bathroom | 8/15/2009 |
Q: I am building a new house and in the process of deciding on tile for the guest bath room floor. The ...
A: Over the years my opinion has evolved for two practical reasons...visual impact and maintenance. For ...
|
| groutable linoleum squares | 8/15/2009 |
Q: I want to put linoleum squares over existing 4 inch white floor ceramic tiles and white grout. I ...
A: Well...to be honest I am not a fan of the dreadful material you have purchased as the premixed grout ...
|
| moisture on slab | 8/15/2009 |
Q: My name is Hilda. Through Google I found your answer to the question asked by Audrey about slab ...
A: While there is correspondence be me and the questioners the e-mail address of the questioner is ...
|
| Granite Tile and Grout Cracking | 8/14/2009 |
Q: Our home had a water loss, broken pipe while we are on vacation. When we are back, water traveled ...
A: My heart goes out to you over this catastrophic incident you have experienced. With all the floors ...
|
| Ceramic tile on a floor with high moisture | 8/14/2009 |
Q: I live in Houston, near the gulf, so my house is on a floating slab. I was looking to put ceramic ...
A: While moisture can contribute to certain problems with a Stone install, it is typically a non issue ...
|
| ceramic patio tiles | 8/11/2009 |
Q: Could you tell me if there is a product on the market that we could coat our patio tiles with to ...
A: I am currently moving across the Mountains and have become tardy with a few question...sorry Paul, ...
|
| floor prep for tile | 8/11/2009 |
Q: we are building a new home and intend on tiling the bathrooms, laundry and entrances. currently ...
A: I am currently moving across the Mountains and have become tardy with a few questions...sorry ...
|
| tile over adhesive | 8/11/2009 |
Q: I'm removing vinyl square tiles that are about one year old from a cement floor and it's leaving a ...
A: I am in the middle of moving across the Mountains and have become tardy with some questions of ...
|
| cork flooring | 7/26/2009 |
Q: Can I use cork flooring on cement in my basement, I have no moisture problems? I want to float my ...
A: Cork will be a nice addition to your basement floor providing that you are positive there aren't any ...
|
| hardwood floors and tile | 7/26/2009 |
Q: I want to have hardword installed butting against tile. the floor is concrete. How to I install the ...
A: There is a specific process that allows for an installation of wood over a cement substrate but it ...
|
| Installing Travertine and Cantera in Mexico | 7/26/2009 |
Q: Can you give me the exact type of thinset (pegapisto) made by Perdura in Mexico; to be used to ...
A: I did a cursory bit of research (not usually part of my offering) and discovered I not only can't ...
|
| Discolored grout | 7/24/2009 |
Q: We have just grouted for the first time our bathroom floor with Home Depot grout (unsure of real ...
A: There is always the tendency to simply do too much "rinsing" once the floor has been grouted because ...
|
| Cork flooring | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I have an unfinished cement screened in patio I'm looking to cover. I love the beauty of cork. Would ...
A: The answer is "maybe"...much of the Cork consumption in the flooring Industry was/is used for sound ...
|
| 9 x 9 vinyl tile | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I just bought a house built in 1958. It has 9 x 9 vinyl tile throughout. I want to replace it but ...
A: They might be convinced to perform this step for you as long as they are not held to a warranty like ...
|
| 9 x 9 vinyl tile | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I meant cut into 9 x 9 if I cannot find it. ANSWER: Well Brian...I haven't the foggiest notion of ...
A: Hey Brian...If your goal/desire is to preserve the existing vinyl it is true that, to the best of my ...
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| 9 x 9 vinyl tile | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I just bought a house built in 1958. It has 9 x 9 vinyl tile throughout. I want to replace it but ...
A: Well...guess who got the second question first?? Sorry Brian, your second question somehow got to me ...
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| Underlayment | 7/20/2009 |
Q: I will be putting in tiles for my bathroom. I will be using two layers of 3/4 inch plywood as ...
A: Let me congratulate you on performing the perfect substrate installation...your dad is spot on with ...
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| DITRA and which thinset | 7/17/2009 |
Q: We live in a high desert climate in the Southwest US. Therefore, we have very low humidity. We are ...
A: Sorry this is Tardy Amy, I'm working out of town at the moment... Thank you for your question Amy, ...
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| Travertine tiles for kitchen | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I plan to install 18”x18” Travertine tiles in my kitchen which openly intersects the family room ...
A: Sorry this is tardy Richard, I'm currently working out of town... Thank you for your questions ...
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| thassos marble on bathroom floor | 7/16/2009 |
Q: my bathroom floor is showing dirt marks from wear which i am unable to clean. thus far i have only ...
A: You don't mention what you use to create the "soapy water" so that is a mystery but the "Fantastic" ...
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| shower floor | 7/16/2009 |
Q: I am about to mud a shower floor. I bought a pre-pitch set and my problem is that the drain is ...
A: The standard two pour system establishes a pre-pitch condition then the pan material and typically a ...
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| Fireplace hearth | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I am having new 18 x 18 inch porcelain tile (actually measure 17 3/4") put down in my dining room ...
A: The conundrum you currently have is usually a "self-inflicted" process as material selection often ...
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| mosaic tile with paper mesh in wet area | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased some porcelain tile for using on my bathroom renovation. After getting the tile ...
A: The bonding mesh you are seeing is not unusual. I would prefer there only be a single layer of ...
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| tenting and popping of tile floor | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I am having a similar experience as Carol who had a living room floor pop and tent after 7 years. ...
A: Your tile, having lost it's bond with the sub-floor, had little choice but to move when the defined ...
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| followup to your questions | 6/17/2009 |
Q: I am preparing to lay a tile floor outside over a deck that is 5/4 treated lumber(about 15 years ...
A: While the joist dimension is adequate the span is outside of comfortable limits for me...especially ...
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| Ceranic Tile Flooring | 6/17/2009 |
Q: Two year old house at the South Jersey Shore has a room with ceramic tile floor that is now showing ...
A: Even if the suspect floor is on the same level as the Entry if it is a "3 Season" room or porch then ...
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| Installing Ceramic Tile Onto Plywood | 6/16/2009 |
Q: I am having a house built and I will be installing about 400 sf of ceramic tile in the kitchen, ...
A: The Builder is correct in saying that plywood has long been an acceptable sub-strate in our ...
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| polished marble master bath | 6/15/2009 |
Q: I'm getting all kind of conficting advice dependent upon who comes to the house to bid the ...
A: As you are discovering, "designers" always want you to believe they know best...even over ...
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| GROUT MILDEW | 6/15/2009 |
Q: I had a marble company install a new floor of Crema Marfil 24x24 in my condo 9new construction) in ...
A: Well only one picture came through but I can see the darkened joints..not good. I know the method of ...
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| pebbles swimming in grout | 6/14/2009 |
Q: I purchased beautiful small natural stone pebbles for an oriental theme bathroom. When my tile guy ...
A: Typically once the grout has hardened there is little option to address issues like this ...
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| Tile Subfloor | 6/14/2009 |
Q: Took out bathroom carpeting and partical board underneath, leaving 3/4 in. plywood on the floor ...
A: The assembly that you currently have is giving you a nice opportunity to build a sturdy sub-floor. ...
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| water proofing shower | 6/13/2009 |
Q: My brain is about to explode!I live in california& every guy excedt for one wants to do the ole hot ...
A: It's time for some of the "one trick pony" guys to move to the next level. Lets use the "one" guy ...
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| polished marble master bath | 6/13/2009 |
Q: I'm getting all kind of conficting advice dependent upon who comes to the house to bid the ...
A: While I would shy away from most Marble installs being done in a Kitchen I have zero objections to ...
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| GROUT MILDEW | 6/12/2009 |
Q: I had a marble company install a new floor of Crema Marfil 24x24 in my condo 9new construction) in ...
A: The one glaring problem that I see in this scenario is water penetration. You don't give me any time ...
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| sub-floor preparation | 6/11/2009 |
Q: I plan to lay ceramic tile on a large part of the main floor of my 20 yr. old home. Currently there ...
A: If you have clear access to the floor joists below then you should be able to tell how far they are ...
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| Tile Burn | 6/10/2009 |
Q: My wife dropped a hot hair curling iron on our bathroom vinyl tile floor. Is there any way to remove ...
A: You may be able to remove a portion of the burn using a terry cloth and some Mineral Spirits but ...
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| Marble Tile renovation | 6/9/2009 |
Q: I have a large area covered with 12x12 white marble. The marble is stained and pitted in areas but ...
A: Well...I guess my question is if there is funds budgeted for a restoration even if it had a few ...
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| Removing thin-set mortar residue from porcelain floor tile | 6/9/2009 |
Q: Perry - I read one of your other answers to a question, and was impressed with your depth of ...
A: I appreciate your kind words James...I'll do my best. Phosphoric Acid, much like Sulfamic Crystals ...
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| best bathroom flooring material | 6/9/2009 |
Q: There are three considerations we have for choosing a bathroom flooring material: aesthetics, ease ...
A: Well if I answer your questions in the order you present them it will be this; aesthetics is an easy ...
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| sealing marble floor & correcting scratches | 6/8/2009 |
Q: 1. The marble tile installer put on no sealer before or after installation and scratched the floor ...
A: My first question to you is... why are "you" contemplating this process? Lets get the original ...
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| tile floor installation | 6/8/2009 |
Q: I am preparing to lay a tile floor outside over a deck that is 5/4 treated lumber(about 15 years ...
A: While you would think that five quarter lumber would be just fine for receiving a tile install the ...
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| Bathroom to bedroom transition | 6/8/2009 |
Q: The doorway in the bathroom is in an 8" thick wall, and the door swings into the adjacent bedroom. ...
A: Hey Charles, The picture you provided was of the carpet to wood scenario but my response was to ...
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| Christopher's question | 6/7/2009 |
Q: When you answered Christopher's question you said about your wainscoat you "stacked my 12 X 12 ...
A: I do not remember the specific question as you do not source the date on which it was either asked ...
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| using versabond quickset as a floor surface | 6/6/2009 |
Q: Is it possible to use versabond quickset as a floor surface? If so, what would we use to seal ...
A: Sadly no Christina...this is designed as only an adhesive and not as a finished product. You see ...
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| Bathroom to bedroom transition | 6/6/2009 |
Q: The doorway in the bathroom is in an 8" thick wall, and the door swings into the adjacent bedroom. ...
A: There is hope for you my friend. Where you ran into problems was most likely generated because of ...
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| Prep floor for tile after removing linoleum | 6/5/2009 |
Q: I scraped up the old linoleum covering on the kitchen floor leaving the paper backing. The squeaky ...
A: Unless you are planning to install an additional layer of "sub-floor" material (leveling compound in ...
|
| grout coming up | 6/4/2009 |
Q: I have lived in my house for one year. We bought the house while it was still being built. With in ...
A: Well...to be honest grout is the most straight forward portion of the finished homebuilding process ...
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| Stains in new grout in shower | 6/4/2009 |
Q: We were having problems with stained grout in our shower, and in attempts to clean it some of the ...
A: Hey Steve, Ok I understand what you getting at now. The answer is still no for any bleach being ...
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| Tiling a screened porch | 6/4/2009 |
Q: We bought a house last year with a raised screened porch. Currently the floor is covered with ...
A: To answer your question you don't know if your elevated porch can carry the weight until you have a ...
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| Stains in new grout in shower | 6/3/2009 |
Q: We were having problems with stained grout in our shower, and in attempts to clean it some of the ...
A: Well first and foremost do "not" employ any bleach on this grout for any reason. Even diluted bleach ...
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| best method of marble installation | 6/3/2009 |
Q: Please advice on the best way of fixing/installation 600 x 600 MM crema marfil on floors as well as ...
A: I just answered another question from your area a couple days ago about Crema Marfil...I like it. If ...
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| Reply- tile question | 6/2/2009 |
Q: questions regarding the crackig tile grout and grout pulling away from the basboards. The tiles ...
A: The only for sure way to tell what caused these cracks is to remove the tile and visually confirm ...
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| marble laying querry | 6/2/2009 |
Q: We are the consultants on 49 storied residentisl twisting towers.We are using Crema Marfil on the ...
A: The Builder/Architect specifications is a common standard for the Industry. All it is calling for is ...
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| epoxy removal from tile | 6/2/2009 |
Q: I am a cleaner who has been asked to take off epoxy from ceramic and anti-slip tile. The installers ...
A: You have just been assigned the "crappy" job of cleaning up another's mess...congratulations...and ...
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| Shower tiles | 6/1/2009 |
Q: I'm having our shower redone and now in the process of choosing the porcelain tiles to be used. I'm ...
A: I won't go as far as to say that a 2x2 tile is the "standard" for shower floor installs...I'll only ...
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| marble laying querry | 6/1/2009 |
Q: We are the consultants on 49 storied residentisl twisting towers.We are using Crema Marfil on the ...
A: Crema Marfil is a beautiful Stone and has long been a high quality material when it comes to a ...
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| new ceramic flooring | 6/1/2009 |
Q: We are doing new ceramic flooring in our house. I would like to know the following: (1) Should we ...
A: What you are seeing is most often the result of a "settling" process in the foundation slab and is ...
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| Tile brands and price | 6/1/2009 |
Q: I am purchasing some boxes of tile from a contractor and I just want to know if I'm getting a good ...
A: You don't mention whether this is a wall tile or floor tile, Porcelain or Ceramic, or what you are ...
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| Grout seperating from tile and basboards | 5/31/2009 |
Q: I purchased a home that is 1 year old. They are accually coming for a year review of the home to ...
A: I suspect that something else is happening here Heidi as this kind of cracking is evidence of ...
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| tile installation problem | 5/31/2009 |
Q: we have 5/8 inch plywood floor in 3 season room and are making room all year useable. We installed ...
A: Do not install any tile over the suspect area as the bond has not be established. I suspect that the ...
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| Travertine tile in Mud/Laundry Room | 5/30/2009 |
Q: Perry, We are thinking about installing 18x18 travertine tile in our 160 square ft Laundry/mud room. ...
A: Sometimes after you have performed a bunch of research you end up just as you are...confused. With ...
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| Glueing engineered wood over old existing tiles | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I read your answer re gluing engineered wood over existing 9 x 9 tiles. You recommended first ...
A: Well Carol...I feel like I'm chasing my tail just a bit here. Lets return to where I haven't been ...
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| Glueing engineered wood over old existing tiles | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I read your answer re gluing engineered wood over existing 9 x 9 tiles. You recommended first ...
A: Hey Carol, After a bit of searching I recovered the original post and my memory has returned. ...
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| Installing slate tile over stain concrete | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I have an existing concrete patio that has been stained with H&C Concrete stain several times and ...
A: Well...there are a couple "main" players in the membrane game where one possibility is a "sheet" ...
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| Glueing engineered wood over old existing tiles | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I read your answer re gluing engineered wood over existing 9 x 9 tiles. You recommended first ...
A: Are you sure it was me that you asked this question or read this previous answer?? I am not ...
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| grout problem in shower stall | 5/29/2009 |
Q: we had a new shower built 2 months ago. it has 12 x 12 ceramic tile floor with grout. The grout is ...
A: Now that you have had this contractor "re"grout this floor twice my first question is "is he ...
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| uneven installation of 17 | 5/28/2009 |
Q: I had some 17" ceramic tiles installed in two rooms several months ago and when the installation was ...
A: Hey Sylvia, Certainly when you move up to the larger format tile you will encounter greater ...
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| Installing slate tile over stain concrete | 5/28/2009 |
Q: I have an existing concrete patio that has been stained with H&C Concrete stain several times and ...
A: I don't know what you mean when you say that the "stain is coming up" as stain is a liquid not a ...
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| Old tile restoration | 5/27/2009 |
Q: I hope you can help - the other "expert" who seemed to have extensive tile experience, couldn't. I ...
A: Hey Don, Ya know I got to thinking about this deal that you are wrestling with and I remember ...
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| removing thinset from plywood | 5/27/2009 |
Q: I just removed ceramic tile from my kitchen floor. The machine I rented didn't work (I was refunded ...
A: What I have done on many similar occasions is to vacuum this floor thoroughly and dislodge any loose ...
|
| Marble staircase | 5/27/2009 |
Q: I have a marble staircase and the grout on the landing is deteriorating and has to be replaced. From ...
A: Well...you're sorta right. What you are looking for is a "non"sanded grout, which is really just a ...
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| uneven installation of 17" ceramic tiles | 5/26/2009 |
Q: I had some 17" ceramic tiles installed in two rooms several months ago and when the installation was ...
A: There are possibly a couple things working here Sylvia. One is larger format tiles (13x13" and ...
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| install laminate on terrazo floors | 5/26/2009 |
Q: I had laminate installed in my entire Florida home built in 1961. They first put 8 Mill Poly Combo ...
A: Well Maria...at the risk of sounding "too" confident I am saying yes. If the test return no moisture ...
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| Old tile restoration | 5/26/2009 |
Q: I hope you can help - the other "expert" who seemed to have extensive tile experience, couldn't. I ...
A: Not sure I can do any better than your "former expert" but not afraid of trying either. That being ...
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| Tile Hazing | 5/25/2009 |
Q: We have just put new porcelain tile in our home. When we finished with the grouting, and started ...
A: First you are just fine and so is the Porcelain. Until the grout fully cures (24 hrs) you can keep ...
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| Etched glazed tile | 5/24/2009 |
Q: I have a few areas that some material has caused the surface to etch, therefore the glaze now has a ...
A: Hey Vern, Well...in truth now that the damage has been done there isn't much in the way of going ...
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| Etched glazed tile | 5/23/2009 |
Q: I have a few areas that some material has caused the surface to etch, therefore the glaze now has a ...
A: While I appreciate a questioner being brief or to the point sometimes the questions simply do not ...
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| Floor and Wall tile | 5/23/2009 |
Q: I want to tile my master bathroom with 12 x 12 ceramic tile. I'm going to remove my baseboards and ...
A: We are supposing that the existing plywood is at least 3/4" thick as that is mostly a standard ...
|
| Carpet -vs- tile | 5/23/2009 |
Q: I just bought a duplex 2 years old in Jul 09. The kitchen has Sonesta tile and all other rooms has ...
A: Carpet for the most part is a base grade floor covering only one step above vinyl. Now of course ...
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| Tile to floor reducer | 5/23/2009 |
Q: I have tile in the hallway and linoleum in the w/d closet. I need a inexpensive reducer for the ...
A: The first place you should try would be one or both of the major Home Improvement Centers close to ...
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| install laminate on terrazo floors | 5/22/2009 |
Q: I had laminate installed in my entire Florida home built in 1961. They first put 8 Mill Poly Combo ...
A: Hey Maria, I suspect that the vinyl area has survived then because of "direct" contact with the ...
|
| tile floor out of level and with ridges | 5/22/2009 |
Q: We recently had a professional lay our tile floor in the kitchen. The floor is uneven - for example ...
A: I suspect that right about now you are thinking your guy wasn't such a professional with this ...
|
| Cracked ceramic floor tiles | 5/21/2009 |
Q: I really liked your posts. I have a home that has 17 cracked ceramic floor tiles. The crack and the ...
A: Hey Mike, Well...if you consider things from an "economic" perspective then taking the chance ...
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| install laminate on terrazo floors | 5/20/2009 |
Q: I had laminate installed in my entire Florida home built in 1961. They first put 8 Mill Poly Combo ...
A: People are discovering that there is a lot more to employing a floating floor application in Florida ...
|
| Do I need to replace the subfloor? | 5/20/2009 |
Q: Hey there, I have a condo built in 1979 and I'm just starting on a bathroom remodel. I've pulled up ...
A: By the assembly you described to me I suspect that a repair has already been performed previously. ...
|
| Flooring for lanai | 5/19/2009 |
Q: We are buying a new home in Florida which will have a lanai about 688 sq. ft. with a concrete floor. ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was called out of town for most of this week... If you are ...
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| Cracked ceramic floor tiles | 5/18/2009 |
Q: I really liked your posts. I have a home that has 17 cracked ceramic floor tiles. The crack and the ...
A: Hey Mike... Forgive my tardiness Mike as I was called out of town for most of this week. ...
|
| patio | 5/17/2009 |
Q: i have a concrete patio that is rough and cracking is it possible to over lay it with tile and if so ...
A: It would depend on how rough and if the cracks are continuing to move and generating more cracks as ...
|
| Sunporch flooring | 5/17/2009 |
Q: Reconstruction of 3 seasons sun porch over decking...What are the best options for room with no ...
A: To be honest Gabriel I simply do not have enough information to make an informed response to your ...
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| Cracked ceramic floor tiles | 5/16/2009 |
Q: I really liked your posts. I have a home that has 17 cracked ceramic floor tiles. The crack and the ...
A: Believe it or not Mike I prefer this means of correspondence over a phone connection...nothing ...
|
| Beveled Porcelain tiles | 5/16/2009 |
Q: I am about to grout some beveled porcelain tiles and need to know if I just grout up to where the ...
A: Hey Glen, To be honest I guess it's just semantics between the term "bevel" and ...
|
| Bathroom floors | 5/16/2009 |
Q: We used slate for the front (outside) of our fireplace, bathrooms and entry floors. It seems a ...
A: I'm basically a "Natural Stone" kind of guy, while I have installed mountains of Ceramic tile and ...
|
| Shower Redo | 5/16/2009 |
Q: We have a cultured marble shower which has to be replaced due to cracks on the floor ( the walls are ...
A: Hey Cora, I apologize for not answering your "original" question, (I get carried away ...
|
| Beveled Porcelain tiles | 5/15/2009 |
Q: I am about to grout some beveled porcelain tiles and need to know if I just grout up to where the ...
A: I'm not clear by what you mean with the description "beveled" tiles. If you are grouting a ...
|
| Shower Redo | 5/14/2009 |
Q: We have a cultured marble shower which has to be replaced due to cracks on the floor ( the walls are ...
A: I understand your concerns and reluctance to switch to a more conventional material. Folks get used ...
|
| FRIEZE CARPET MATTING | 5/14/2009 |
Q: I have a Shaw frieze carpet through out my upper level of my home. It's about 10 months old and ...
A: While the Shaw rep came and went with the expected response, I would suggest that for the moment we ...
|
| Granite of Brick Fireplace | 5/13/2009 |
Q: ..I want to install granite over a brick fireplace with a hearth. Is it best to do with granite ...
A: You have asked me a question that seldom is ever asked but wish it were more often. With the advent ...
|
| Ceramic Floor | 5/13/2009 |
Q: I have the tolerance at the threshold of my entry doors. I want to lay modified on top of existing ...
A: There is always going to be the temptation to at least "consider" installing a second layer of tile ...
|
| comparisons of stone, ceramic, porcelain tile options for kitchen floor | 5/12/2009 |
Q: I haven't found one source for my questions regarding the pros and cons of various kitchen floor ...
A: Well certainly there is mountains of information out on the Web but it can get laborious trying to ...
|
| WHEN AND HOW TO SEAL NEW TILE | 5/11/2009 |
Q: Just had most of house tiled with porcelein tile, small grout lines, 18 inch tile. Its a beige, ...
A: Once the installation is complete you can seal the material within 48 hours, but I must extend to ...
|
| patio tile | 5/10/2009 |
Q: My husband and I are laying tile on our covered back patio, but have run into a problem. The ...
A: Don't feel bad that you find yourself in this position. Early in my career I had a similar problem ...
|
| grouting rectified tiles | 5/9/2009 |
Q: I saw the question about laying and grouting rectified tiles, and have another related question. On ...
A: What you are describing as "slightly curved at the end tiles" is what is commonly referred to as ...
|
| Laying porcelain tiles onto a chipboard floor | 5/9/2009 |
Q: We are receiving conflicting information regarding the above. We are building a new house with ...
A: Well...I am not 100% sure what you are trying to describe to me, as "chipboard" (I suspect) is what ...
|
| Shower joint grout/caulk | 5/8/2009 |
Q: A recent answer you gave on 3/11/09 regarding how to repair a wall/floor shower joint seemed to say, ...
A: The answer to your question is yes...grout and then caulk with Silicone. The previous question was ...
|
| Porceline tiles lost their shine | 4/13/2009 |
Q: A couple of years ago I had black polished porcelin tiles laid in my kitchen. At that time we were ...
A: Well the mystery is deeper than you think because attempting to seal a Porcelain tile is a useless ...
|
| travertine and epoxy grout | 4/12/2009 |
Q: Paul I want to install some travertine tiles on my kitchen and dining area's floor, and I want to ...
A: Travertine is of course a Natural Stone and very porous, more so than Granite so it should be sealed ...
|
| Porcelain Tile Preparation | 4/12/2009 |
Q: I am planning to install approximately 1,800 square feet of 24" x 24" rectified Portobello (Brazil) ...
A: Lippage issues can be present even with a perfectly lain mud job. So you will need to return to the ...
|
| Travertine on brick fireplace | 4/11/2009 |
Q: I am installing 12x12 tumbled travertine to remodel a painted brick fireplace. Have already ...
A: Considering that the face of the fireplace brick had been painted it was necessary to install a new ...
|
| tile caulking | 4/10/2009 |
Q: We recently moved into our apartment and the previous owners put down tiles throughout the house. ...
A: What you are seeing is not the end of the World, and there is a way to get this material cleaned up ...
|
| 3 rows of 12"x12" Marbles on drywall in master bath (has Jacuzzi tub) | 4/9/2009 |
Q: We're remodeling our master bath 8'x16'x8', which has a 3'x6'x8' shower stall, a 60"x42" Jacuzzi ...
A: I appreciate your being willing to invest some of your own time in researching previous efforts ...
|
| Ceramic tile for a bathroom/shower stall | 4/8/2009 |
Q: I'm preparing to re-model a full bath. And have some questions on how to prepare the walls. In ...
A: My personal preference is a product called "Denshield". It is a Georgia Pacific product. It is sold ...
|
| fixing sub-floor before new tile | 4/7/2009 |
Q: Vellenga, I'm so impressed with the answers you've given to others, I'm sure you can guide us ...
A: Thanks for the kind words as I feel good and buttered up right about now :-) Ok, I have to do a ...
|
| tile a flood zone concrete floor | 4/6/2009 |
Q: I want to tile a 20 x 20 concrete cabin floor on the St. Croix river in MN. We have been flooded ...
A: While I have been through a 100 year snowstorm in Colorado I have little experience with a 100 year ...
|
| Tile on a flat roof? | 4/4/2009 |
Q: Can you put porcelain tile on a flat roof if it has a small pitch? I have a flat roof that ...
A: While the "general" idea of the install is viable a lot depends upon how the roof is both supported ...
|
| Tile transition to berber carpet | 4/4/2009 |
Q: We have berber carpet and we are removing linolium in the bathroom. we are putting in tile ...
A: While your concerns are valid you needn't let them be anything more than a concern. The unraveling ...
|
| Tile a front porch exposed to new york weather on concrete slab | 4/2/2009 |
Q: ok so right now i have a tile which is on top of concrete which i am going to take off because there ...
A: Your interest in the "Ditra" product is well founded. It is a proven material and handles all kinds ...
|
| Stone elevator installation | 4/2/2009 |
Q: I installed granite in several elevators over marine grade Plywood using multipurpose thinset. The ...
A: You can resolve the substrate problem by including a couple other things during the assembly. I had ...
|
| moisture in slab | 4/1/2009 |
Q: We had wood floors installed 3 years ago. After 3 months we saw a little discoloration and the wood ...
A: Well...I have to do some detective work in my mind because you are asking me about damage to a wood ...
|
| tile laying solution | 3/31/2009 |
Q: I have recently started to remove the "dated" tile flooring in our home. We have a "L" shaped ...
A: Hey Erin, I don't know where you heard that linoleum could be used in this fashion (I hope not ...
|
| moisture in conc slab | 3/30/2009 |
Q: On a commercial project (slab on grade, very granular-beach sand-soils, well draining, no vapor ...
A: There must be something that has "changed" the existing conditions apart from the old install if the ...
|
| tile laying solution | 3/28/2009 |
Q: I have recently started to remove the "dated" tile flooring in our home. We have a "L" shaped ...
A: Sorry I am tardy with my reply, hung up in the mountains...too much snow... Well...have you ...
|
| Transition new tile to existing carpet | 3/27/2009 |
Q: I have been reading some of the questions and answers you've participated in and hope you can help ...
A: Sorry for being tardy with my reply Rita, hung up in the mountains...too much snow... First ...
|
| Marbonite usage for flooring | 3/27/2009 |
Q: Can i use Marbonite for flooring? if yes,what are the advantages & disadvantages?
A: You can use Marbonite for flooring with confidence. It is a high quality material that will give you ...
|
| porcelain tiles over underfloor heating | 3/26/2009 |
Q: I have bought some 600mm x 600mm porcelain floor tiles to lay in our new conservatory. The floor ...
A: While I have installed tile material on separate "in the living space" walls and or columns ...
|
| thinset vs quickset | 3/26/2009 |
Q: I am having porcelein/ceramic tiles intalled in a commercial space (1100 sq ft) The tile supplier ...
A: Hey Kathryn, The typical assembly process is once the tile has been installed then 24 hours ...
|
| sealing tumble marble | 3/25/2009 |
Q: Installed new kitchen backsplash with 4x4 tumbled marble. What options are available that will seal ...
A: What you are looking for is a "penetrating" sealer. Typically these are lighter weight chemical ...
|
| mold in shower | 3/25/2009 |
Q: How to remove, remodel or clean up mold in between the shower door frame and the fiberglass shower ...
A: Mold and mildew will always be present in an enclosed and humid environment. Cleaning the growth is ...
|
| Travertine Tile Installation | 3/24/2009 |
Q: I am am confused and a little scared about installing 18" travertine over a concrete slab. I have ...
A: My friend I have installed tens of thousands of sq. ft. of stone over a cement slab without ...
|
| thinset vs quickset | 3/24/2009 |
Q: I am having porcelein/ceramic tiles intalled in a commercial space (1100 sq ft) The tile supplier ...
A: Not all adhesives are compatible and while there may be a practical desire to expedite the ...
|
| marble floor grout method | 3/24/2009 |
Q: what is the proper method of marble grouting technique
A: Well... the method for grouting Marble is the same as it is for any other kind of material to be ...
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| Cracked Grout in shower stall | 3/11/2009 |
Q: My shower stall is tiled and in need of some repair. Where the wall meets the floor of the stall ...
A: It would seem that there is a lot of differing opinion in regards to this particular issue and I ...
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| Cracked ceramic floor | 3/9/2009 |
Q: My master bath has what appears to be 12 inch ceramic tiles layed directly over the plywood ...
A: Depending on how stable the old floor is will have a lot to do with a secondary layer of new ...
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| Marble floor installation | 3/6/2009 |
Q: Which is a most appropriate substrate for a marble floor installation, on a "wet" cementitious ...
A: .. Back in the day there was but a single choice for "any" Stone application...the mud job. ...
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| ceramic tile removal | 3/4/2009 |
Q: I am trying to remove ceramic tile...and in a hurry. I have all of the tile up and it has left me ...
A: Sorry I'm a bit tardy with my reply...hung up in the mountains... Thank you for your question Amy, ...
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| tiling upstairs bathroom | 3/4/2009 |
Q: I removed two layers of vinyl in upstairs bathroom, but floor had some moisture damage. Wood is ...
A: Hey Steve, welcome back... Typically your subfloor will be a single layer of 3/4" plywood ...
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| mud job vs schluter system | 3/4/2009 |
Q: I have 3 half inch sheets of plywood for a sub-floor. I'm removing the old mud job. I would like to ...
A: Hey Mike...sorry bout being tardy here, hung up in the Mountains.. Often times Mike we are ...
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| sub floor prep for porcelain in kitchen | 3/4/2009 |
Q: Perry.Is it ok to glue and screw 1/2" or 5/8" EGP plywood directly over laminate tiles before ...
A: Yes it is fine to assemble your floor this way, but I would supplant the Exterior grade plywood for ...
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| mud job vs schluter system | 3/3/2009 |
Q: I have 3 half inch sheets of plywood for a sub-floor. I'm removing the old mud job. I would like to ...
A: Hey Mike, I have used the Ditra product too many times to count and it has performed perfectly ...
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| Slate for Outside Deck in Cold Weather? | 3/3/2009 |
Q: I want to build a concrete deck and cover it with slate tiles ........ I am concerned about ...
A: No matter what material you would choose when you are living in a freeze/thaw region the tile will ...
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| tiling the bathroom | 3/3/2009 |
Q: I am going to be re-tiling my bathroom floor...but need to get the old tile out first. I have ...
A: Well I would rent a "chipping hammer" which is the "jack hammer's" little brother. You can get a ...
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| tumbled marble | 3/2/2009 |
Q: We are thinking of putting tumbled marble on the shower floor, but wondered about the care. Will ...
A: If you are installing a Tumbled Stone the pores and cracks ect..will be filled with the sanded grout ...
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| tiling upstairs bathroom | 3/2/2009 |
Q: I removed two layers of vinyl in upstairs bathroom, but floor had some moisture damage. Wood is ...
A: I think you should do a bit more investigation of your suspect sub-floor. First you must determine ...
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| Travertine Floor Tiles | 3/1/2009 |
Q: Perry, I have recently purchased travertine flooring for my kitchen and bathroom because I like the ...
A: Before I go into what would be a lengthy dissertation on the do's and don't of a Travertine install ...
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| Tearing our perfectly good ceramic tile | 3/1/2009 |
Q: Perry, my wife and I found a house we'd like to buy, built in 2003, which has ceramic tile over ...
A: Because I would rather you be "happy" rather than "satisfied" I would tear it all out...right back ...
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| mud job vs schluter system | 3/1/2009 |
Q: I have 3 half inch sheets of plywood for a sub-floor. I'm removing the old mud job. I would like to ...
A: Sorry this is tardy, had guests that kept me from my computer... Thank you for your question ...
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| Grout: sanded vs urethane based | 2/27/2009 |
Q: I recently redid my shower tub surround with a ceramic tile using quartz lock urethane based grout. ...
A: Sorry this is tardy had guests that kept me from getting on my computer... Thank you for your ...
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| bathroom remodel | 2/26/2009 |
Q: Perry, I want to re-floor a bathroom that is currently covered in inexpensive linoleum. Can I put ...
A: Sorry for being tardy, was away from my computer with guests visiting... Thank you for your ...
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| Levelling the concrete slab of an enclosed porch | 2/25/2009 |
Q: I read your reply to as similar question, where a homeowner was leveling a floor from a 3/4" rise. ...
A: I appreciate those folks who are willing to do some of their own research before launching out. It ...
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| urine proof flooring | 2/25/2009 |
Q: I have 3 dogs which refuse to urinate anywhere appropriate. I need a recommendation on flooring and ...
A: I get this question a lot more than you might think so you are not alone with this particular ...
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| Tiles in Half-bath | 2/24/2009 |
Q: This is a design question. The toilet in the half-bath on the 1st level of my condo leaked and ...
A: With the advent of the large format tile I long ago left the smaller format tile behind. It would ...
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| Tile over old tile, wood subfloor | 2/24/2009 |
Q: I am remodeling the bathroom in my 1920's bungalow. I have expanded the bathroom into an adjacent ...
A: Hey Robert, As long as you have tested the bond of the existing tile and proven to be solid ...
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| ceramic tile | 2/23/2009 |
Q: We are having ceramic tile layed over wood subfloor, the contr. has poured floor leveling concrete ...
A: Leveling compound should set up "hard" within 24 hours...rock hard over the course of 6 days!! ...
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| Tile over old tile, wood subfloor | 2/22/2009 |
Q: I am remodeling the bathroom in my 1920's bungalow. I have expanded the bathroom into an adjacent ...
A: I am not a fan of Hardy backer board and if I were going to add a layer of anything it would be a ...
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| Ceramic tile over old vinyl | 2/21/2009 |
Q: My husband & I are tearing up the old vinyl flooring and it's coming up in layers. Is it okay to ...
A: Every layer of vinyl should be removed (more than one?), at least as much that is feasible. In ...
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| tile stain | 2/21/2009 |
Q: I have a new home that was built in 2005. One of our bathrooms has a light colored grout and ...
A: Well...not sure what to employ for a proper correction Sarah as any "citrus" based cleaner is going ...
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| linoleum under marble tile | 2/20/2009 |
Q: I am laying 12" marble tile in bath, existing floor has linoleum square tiles glued to sub floor. ...
A: You can install the underlayment right over the vinyl so long as you make a real job of mechanically ...
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| Removing marble tile | 2/10/2009 |
Q: I bought a home that has marble tile in the kitchen. The previous owner did an incredibly poor job ...
A: Sorry this is a bit tardy...stuck in the mountains. David, if you have 40% of the floor in ...
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| marble and granite floor refinish | 2/9/2009 |
Q: I have a floor made from Black granite and white marble tiles in an alternating pattern ...
A: Sorry I'm a bit tardy with this...stuck in the mountains. Do you mean by "re-coated" as ...
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| travertine floor | 2/9/2009 |
Q: We want to tile our kitchen and I am concerned about the strength of the subfloor and joists. The ...
A: Sorry I'm a bit tardy with this...stuck in the Mountains.. Ditra is not a designate ...
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| tiling of kitchen backsplash | 2/9/2009 |
Q: I am installing 4.5" x 4.5" porcelain tiles on a drywall kitchen backsplash. Applying Omnigrip ...
A: Forgive my tardiness, stuck in the Mountains... When I am installing tile on a splash Paul I ...
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| marble tile installation | 2/9/2009 |
Q: I have a woodstove situated in a corner with a marble tile hearth. Although the stove is the correct ...
A: Any standard thinset will serve your needs quite well but for me only a Latex added "white" thinset ...
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| concrete floor prep | 2/8/2009 |
Q: I am remodeling a bathroom and had some humps in my concrete floor. I plan on installing porcelain ...
A: Usually when I know in advance that there are certain problems in a floor I can make all the ...
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| Dirty ceramic tiles and grout | 2/8/2009 |
Q: I purchased a house two years ago in which the previous owners had installed ceramic tiles ...
A: You are experiencing the death of your grout. Grout is a material that has simple ingredients that ...
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| My ceramic tile | 2/6/2009 |
Q: My clothes washer overflowed recently and the kitchen floor was flooded. I cleaned the water up ...
A: I have to wonder if you are really talking about your "grout" joints being discolored and not the ...
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| Marble shower grout | 2/5/2009 |
Q: I'm looking to grout the wall to floor joins in a marble shower. I was tempted to use a polyurethane ...
A: When it comes to trying to control moisture within a wet area there is nothing that will out perform ...
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| countertop | 2/5/2009 |
Q: i have bean searching for an answer ,i want to install granit tiles16"x16" on my countertop mess 7' ...
A: Hey Matt, Typically you can rent a "full size" wet saw from your local Home Improvement Center ...
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| sanded grout in small joints | 2/5/2009 |
Q: if my joints are a little less than 1/8" (1x1 mosaics) but are being used as borders against 18 x 18 ...
A: Hey Lisa, Grout is basically a colored cement and has the same quality (or problem) as it will ...
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| countertop | 2/5/2009 |
Q: i have bean searching for an answer ,i want to install granit tiles16"x16" on my countertop mess 7' ...
A: Well you certainly can install right over the plywood as it is done all the time providing it is ...
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| Kitchen Tile Floor | 2/4/2009 |
Q: Our kitchen tile floor was installed 2 1/2 years ago. we previously had linoleum which was removed. ...
A: The critical question here is the warranty period. With a floor that is going on 3 years old you ...
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| sanded grout in small joints | 2/4/2009 |
Q: if my joints are a little less than 1/8" (1x1 mosaics) but are being used as borders against 18 x 18 ...
A: I would say yes to your question Lisa, one thing you must stay alert to is that you pack/fill the ...
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| 9 inch vinyl tiles under carpeting upstairs | 2/3/2009 |
Q: I just started pulling up carpeting in two bedrooms and an upstairs hallway. Underneath the carpet ...
A: Do not go off the deep end just yet Rachael...ok? You don't mention about how old your home is? By ...
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| ceramic floor tile repair/refinish | 2/2/2009 |
Q: The kitchen floor in my home has American Olean ceramic glazed tile on it. Its sort of cream ...
A: Well...I feel for you and your dilemma, but once you have moved beneath the surface layer of glazing ...
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| Installing a QUIET Travertine kitchen floor | 2/2/2009 |
Q: First off, I want to say thank you for the amazing amount of information you share here! After ...
A: Hey Paul... Forgive the assumption Paul, there was another Paul just days ago. Sometimes I ...
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| Dog Urine, Granite Tile | 1/31/2009 |
Q: You recently answered a question about granite and a cute dog - who could not be brought under ...
A: David, This does sound like a good plan, and your experience proves it's worth doing. Of course ...
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| Installing a QUIET Travertine kitchen floor | 1/31/2009 |
Q: First off, I want to say thank you for the amazing amount of information you share here! After ...
A: Hey Paul, Welcome back, always nice to have a return "customer". Lets address your ...
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| Retiling Bathroom | 1/30/2009 |
Q: I am planning on retiling an upstairs bathroom in my home. The house was built in 1920, and of ...
A: Hey Keith, When the bathroom has been dismantled and is free of all the fixtures ...
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| grouting-sealing travertine | 1/29/2009 |
Q: I was wondering, since travertine is porous, should it be sealed before grouting? Is the grout haze ...
A: Travertine is indeed a very porous material, certainly Stone that is polished is a bit less porous ...
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| luan as a vinyl floor tile substrate | 1/28/2009 |
Q: what is the problem with luan as a substrate if placed on a solid plywood or other panel? I ...
A: Luan as a material is not a stable one as it has natural oils that could interfere with the bonding ...
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| Questioning Installer's Competency | 1/28/2009 |
Q: Can you tell me what solutions are available for the corner work shown in the two pics attached? I ...
A: With the outside corner being a radius significantly limits the available options addressing this ...
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| Retiling Bathroom | 1/27/2009 |
Q: I am planning on retiling an upstairs bathroom in my home. The house was built in 1920, and of ...
A: Wow...this scenario brings back memories when I used to do a lot of renovation to old houses early ...
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| family room travertine install | 1/25/2009 |
Q: Is it good to install 1/4 durarock or a 1/8 to 1/4 poured floor over plywood? I will be laying ...
A: Hey Consiglio, The installation process is the same for polished or honed, the sealing is ...
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| sudden ceramic tile eruption | 1/25/2009 |
Q: We recently were awakened by a loud cracking and popping sound coming from the kitchen area. Upon ...
A: Typically when this happens there has been a settlement or a torque pressure to the home or ...
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| saltillo tile | 1/25/2009 |
Q: I have a brand new house that was tiled entirely of saltillo tile. Since I was not familiar with ...
A: In my honest opinion there is no more porous tile produced in the flooring Industry than a Mexican ...
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| Handling transition between two rooms with tile floor | 1/24/2009 |
Q: I just completed laying porcelain tile in the second room of my bathroom and I'm not sure how to ...
A: Hey David, I can remember standing looking at a proposed design scheme I was considering when ...
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| Elevator Flooring | 1/23/2009 |
Q: I am on the BOD at Seaside Beach & Racquet Club in Orange Beach, Al. We are a condo complex of 200 ...
A: I worked for a number of years for the Trade Winds Resort on St. Petersburg Beach Florida. I took ...
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| family room travertine install | 1/22/2009 |
Q: Is it good to install 1/4 durarock or a 1/8 to 1/4 poured floor over plywood? I will be laying ...
A: To be honest I would rather you consider a full 1/2" layer of Durock underlayment because of the ...
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| marble tile surface prep and instal | 1/21/2009 |
Q: I am lucky enough to have my master bath tiled in 12x12 white marble tiles but am concerned about ...
A: Your question is a little confusing for me because your initial statement says your lucky to have a ...
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| Installing tile over terrazzo | 1/21/2009 |
Q: We live in a 1950's Florida home. Slab on grade with terrazzo covering. We had installed a ...
A: John, The desire to have laminate flooring over a tiered slab assembly is going to be ...
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| Marble fireplace surround | 1/20/2009 |
Q: We have a wood burning fireplace that has a marble fireplace surround, 3 large pieces. I would like ...
A: You certainly can cover the Marble with the glass tile and as you inferred you need to clean and ...
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| Dog urine discolor granite floor? | 1/19/2009 |
Q: Can dog urine discolor granite floor? I have a wonderful little dog but we cannot break him from ...
A: It will be a lot harder to stain a sealed Granite than say a sealed Marble. If you haven't had your ...
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| Handling transition between two rooms with tile floor | 1/18/2009 |
Q: I just completed laying porcelain tile in the second room of my bathroom and I'm not sure how to ...
A: I won't ask you why you didn't just pick up where you left off and continued right out the door, but ...
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| Installing tile over terrazzo | 1/17/2009 |
Q: We live in a 1950's Florida home. Slab on grade with terrazzo covering. We had installed a ...
A: Hey John, I suppose I should have addressed your specific concern more thoroughly in regards to ...
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| travertine floor install over concrete slab | 1/16/2009 |
Q: perry, I,m installing a Travertine floor in my foyer. It will be on a concrete slab with some ...
A: The answer is yes...you should cover the entire space as to remain consistent and balanced with the ...
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| Installing tile over terrazzo | 1/15/2009 |
Q: We live in a 1950's Florida home. Slab on grade with terrazzo covering. We had installed a ...
A: Years ago I lived and worked in Florida so I have a lot of Terrazzo experience. Can you imagine that ...
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| marble table tops | 1/14/2009 |
Q: I work in a restaurant that has marble inlay tables. They sealed them when they got them for the ...
A: While Marble is a Stone it can be a moody material very easily. You don't mention what type of ...
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| Tile on covered poarch | 1/14/2009 |
Q: I have some indoor tile left over from a previous project.My wife is wanting to tile the front porch ...
A: You certainly can use the left over tile as long as you have enough of the stuff to complete the ...
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| Grout haze removal | 1/14/2009 |
Q: My husband and I recently tiled out master bathroom floor with Sant'Agostino ceramic tile. We used ...
A: Well Sherry...you are currently experiencing what it's like to be a Tile Installer. It's not that ...
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| Marble Slab for Bath Floor | 1/13/2009 |
Q: I have this idea that I'd like to have someone install a marble slab as a bathroom floor. The bath ...
A: Your idea is not as exotic as you might think. The only difference is that this particular level of ...
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| Laying ceramic tiles on adhesive | 1/13/2009 |
Q: I am busy preparing the kitchen floor to lay ceramic tiles and have lifted the vinyl tiles and a ...
A: Congratulations and good job at removing the vinyl tile from your old floor. The hard part is ...
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| Grouting | 1/13/2009 |
Q: First of all some great advice on the website. I just want your opinion on grouting, would you ...
A: Well, dang it John you are forcing me to get out my "conversion chart" as my Metric isn't very good ...
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| scuff marks/scratches on porcelain tile | 12/30/2008 |
Q: I have glazed, color body porcelain tile that has become scuffed/scratched by moving furniture. ...
A: If you have a true Porcelain then nothing much should hurt the material in your efforts to remove ...
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| Broken Tile under a toilet | 12/29/2008 |
Q: I have recently put tile into my master bathroom and there is one tile that has broken 2 times. It ...
A: What you may not be considering is the frequent fact that toilets are not always the perfectly flat ...
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| Ditra | 12/29/2008 |
Q: I am having my bathroom renovated. The floor includes 2x10 joists, 16 in oc, spanning 13'4". The ...
A: Yes the Ditra should be added as agreed upon. Because your contractor, in choosing to install a ...
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| installing tile on painted brick fireplace | 12/29/2008 |
Q: Can I install ceramic tile to my painted brick fireplace?
A: Of course you can but the question should be will the tile last as long if you do? You see, paint ...
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| odor | 12/28/2008 |
Q: I had ceramic tile installed in my kitchen and one of our bathrooms. The contractor used wonderboard ...
A: What I suspect is happening has nothing to do with the wonderboard or the grout, but has everything ...
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| Condensation on ceramic tile | 12/28/2008 |
Q: We live in SE Texas between Houston and Galveston. lots of humidity. The tile in our screened porch ...
A: Well...you really are trying to fight "nature" itself. What happens is the tile & sub-floor are ...
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| Slate Hearth and Marble Surround Prep on fireplace | 12/27/2008 |
Q: Ranch house with basement and rafters running perpendicular to fireplace & hearth which resides on ...
A: The sub-structure will perform just fine as the Hearth will never receive the traffic that might ...
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| outdoor tile adhesives | 12/26/2008 |
Q: I am working with a school to help them create ceramic tiles which they want to install in their ...
A: The process for adherence is limited to a thinset option as I am doubtful that the "wet set" method ...
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| sub floor for 18" Travertine | 12/23/2008 |
Q: I am in the process of building a home. The plans are about ready to go through plan check. My ...
A: You have made me a little "misty eyed" Dave. You have proposed pretty much a dream underlayment for ...
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| replacing a section of carpet with tile. | 12/22/2008 |
Q: I have carpet in my den and this is the first room you enter from the garage. I want to cut out a ...
A: Very good call Jason, that is exactly what should be done. This will eliminate a dreaded "third ...
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| floor prep | 12/20/2008 |
Q: I would like to install cramic tile in the basement. do i have to remove the fllor that is there now ...
A: I can appreciate the brevity of a question sometimes but inherently they always restrict my ability ...
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| cat urine on marble | 12/18/2008 |
Q: One of our cat urninated on a cloth on top of a marble table. There is now a large, dark, irregular ...
A: Pets...the bane of all Natural Stone. The only direction you can go is to consider a "poultice". ...
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| ;lay ceramic tiel on mortar bed | 12/14/2008 |
Q: my bathroom floor is made of an old mortar bed of about 2 inches, i removed the tile already and i ...
A: Yes you can but it is not an "easy" fix. The "pack mud" that is the sub-floor of your bath is ...
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| marble tile | 12/13/2008 |
Q: We have purchased a white lighting marble (made in china) 12 by 12. The tile has arrived and ready ...
A: The "fissures" you are seeing are inherent in some Stones and are usually caused by an differing ...
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| tile/grout | 12/12/2008 |
Q: We are unable to get our tile clean. Since being installed we constantly are trying to clean as ...
A: I have read your question about half a dozen times trying to make sense of it all. In a literal ...
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| Cold Tiled Room | 12/11/2008 |
Q: I have a breakfast area adjacent to kitchen. I had vinyl for 10 year (BTW the house is 11 year old) ...
A: Years ago there were simply zero options available to correct this problem without significant demo ...
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| Glue on Ceramic tile | 12/9/2008 |
Q: I am moving into a house with white ceramic tile in the kitchen. Right in the middle of the kitchen ...
A: In order to allow a solvent the best opportunity to perform you must first physically remove the ...
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| Rectified tile installation and lipage | 12/9/2008 |
Q: I've been reading your most recent answers to the "Rectified Tile" problem. I'm a General Contractor ...
A: Hey GB, The lippage dimensions that you are entertaining are identical to the TCNA Technical ...
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| Tile | 12/9/2008 |
Q: I removed old 12x12 marble from a brick fireplace I have removed as much of the old thin set as I ...
A: You are in luck Vince...unless you have pieces of old thinset an inch thick you can proceed with ...
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| Rectified tile installation and lipage | 12/8/2008 |
Q: I've been reading your most recent answers to the "Rectified Tile" problem. I'm a General Contractor ...
A: B. My heart goes out to you in this prickly situation. It is common to have a "potato chip" ...
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| pellet stove platform | 12/8/2008 |
Q: How would i build a pellet stove platform that would sit on top of parquet flooring? From what I ...
A: Well... some Pellet Stoves are cast iron and quite heavy, so building a frame out of 2"x4"'s to ...
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| Irregular marble tiles edges | 12/8/2008 |
Q: I bought some prepolished marble tiles and had them laid, there are many raised edges. Contractor ...
A: If the Contractor has "disappeared" then I suppose he was "fully paid"??..I hope not. A belt sander ...
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| TILE/MOLD | 12/8/2008 |
Q: MY BASEMENT GOT WATER IN IT & KNOW I HAVE MOLD UNDER MY TILED FLOOR - I AM IN THE PROCESSES OF ...
A: How do you "know" you have mold beneath your existing floor tile?? Adding a second layer of material ...
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| Sealing tumbled marble tile | 12/7/2008 |
Q: I have purchased DuPont StoneTech Professional High Gloss Finishing Sealer. On the label it says you ...
A: You don't mention what kind of material you are wanting to seal so if you are sealing Natural Stone ...
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| Subfloor recomendation for kitchen remodel | 12/6/2008 |
Q: I'm seeking your opinion regarding flooring options for a second-story kitchen expansion. If a ...
A: You have a provocative situation and a grandiose design scheme...I like that. Standard theory would ...
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| marble counters | 12/4/2008 |
Q: how do you remove water rings from marble counter tops
A: If the wet rings are just water based then they will dry out themselves over time unless the spot ...
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| Diff b/w Marbonite and Vetrified Tiles | 12/3/2008 |
Q: Can you tell me if there is any difference b/w Marbonite and Vetrified Tiles. Which is better ...
A: If you can I would like you to use our "archive" section in regards to your question. I have ...
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| Thassos tile / ming green floor basket weave | 12/3/2008 |
Q: What kind of grout do I tell my contractor to use to make this marble look its best? Any other ...
A: I have to assume in most cases when it comes to a Natural Stone install that a traditional joint ...
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| Floor Prep for Porcelain Tile | 12/2/2008 |
Q: Our house was recently flooded by our washer and we are in the process of replacing all the ...
A: There are not many times when a "flood" can have beneficial consequences...eh? Trust me Debbie, the ...
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| Joining wooden floor and tiled floor | 11/27/2008 |
Q: I have a wooden floor laid which joins into tiles in a kitchen area. The tiles are laid and cut at ...
A: I am not sure you need to correct a "curve" as much as correct a "wedge" shape. I am assuming that ...
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| tented tile | 11/26/2008 |
Q: Over the summer, we returned from a week's vacation to find our ceramic tile tented in several of ...
A: First thing you need to do is carefully examine your Homeowners Policy. Typically there is reference ...
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| color enhancer on tumbled marble | 11/15/2008 |
Q: We just installed a kitchen backsplash withtumbled stone travertine(yellow) we sealed it with a seal ...
A: Once the Sealer has been applied to the Stone it is effectively pulled into the Stone so there isn't ...
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| how to remove grout dye/stain from porcelain tile | 11/14/2008 |
Q: the tile layers got the spectrum grout stain on our 20x20 cleftstone verdi porcelain tiles. Now the ...
A: Hey Judy, By you calling the installers back they will learn two things. Tape off suspect ...
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| travertine marble | 11/13/2008 |
Q: I am installing a new gas fireplace at my cottage which is not heated during the winter and want to ...
A: Using the Stone on your Hearth will be just fine, as freezing temps will not affect it so long as it ...
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| ceramic tiles | 11/13/2008 |
Q: What is ceramic tile? Is it a better option than vitrified tile?
A: Ceramic tile is an oven fired clay/composite material that has a "glaze" administered to the ...
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| matching doors to trim/flooring | 11/13/2008 |
Q: I'm totally gutting my house out and I have replaced all the old doors in the house with mastercraft ...
A: I appreciate your question Erick, but you give me so little to go on. Available wood types according ...
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| marble/onyx transisition to floating hardwood | 11/12/2008 |
Q: Perry, I have searched all your answers to questions here is a similar but new. I have installed an ...
A: I appreciate folks like you who invest in some homework and research prior to asking your question. ...
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| grout | 11/12/2008 |
Q: I just grouted my bathroom floor the color of the grout is gray. Why in some spots is the grout ...
A: Typically the reason grout will result in a "whitish" appearance is due to too much water being ...
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| how to remove grout dye/stain from porcelain tile | 11/11/2008 |
Q: the tile layers got the spectrum grout stain on our 20x20 cleftstone verdi porcelain tiles. Now the ...
A: Well...I have heard many things suggested for removing a haze or stain but "aloe vera" is a new one ...
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| Travertine | 11/11/2008 |
Q: I just purchase some Travertine tile for my bathroom. I chose this tile because I had just ...
A: Well to be honest, both Travertine materials should be sealed. The C-top and the floor tile. This ...
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| removing tile from mud floor | 11/10/2008 |
Q: Within the past week I had ceramic tile installed on my kitchen floor on top of a new mud floor. I ...
A: Before you attempt to perform this labor intensive option I would call the original installer back ...
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| Cermic Tile Layout | 11/10/2008 |
Q: I'm planning to use either 13x13 or 16x16 tile. I want to start at the door which is 6ft wide. I ...
A: Well there is an inherent problem when "forcing" a layout to begin at a doorway. Often times Lilly ...
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| Resolve lipage problem | 11/9/2008 |
Q: There is suppose to be a process where you can use s diamond sanding/? process to resolve lipage. ...
A: I am wondering if this is the same Tracy who was just asking about how to remove tiles that aren't ...
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| Removing Travertine Tiles | 11/9/2008 |
Q: What is the most efficient way to remove tiles? I have tiles that aren't level and need to be ...
A: Of course this is one of those "what if" kind of questions. You don't mention what kind of tile this ...
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| granite v/s vitrified tile in hosital OR flooring | 11/9/2008 |
Q: sir, i would like to know which one will be the prefered flooring material for a hospital operating ...
A: While Granite slabs for a floor install would indeed reduce the frequency of grout joints the ...
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| Porcelain tile installation | 11/9/2008 |
Q: We just had porcelain tile installed over concrete in entire living area. The job completed ...
A: These boys all seem rather specific it would seem. Hydrating cement does indeed continue to harden ...
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| Installation of marble vs ceramic tile | 11/8/2008 |
Q: can you tell me if there is anything different about installing ceramic tile versus installing ...
A: There is a significant difference installing these differing materials. Being able to install one ...
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| Installing Carrera Marble Slabs on Wood Surrounds | 11/8/2008 |
Q: Perry - I'm installing 3/4in carrera marble slabs (approx 1ft wide by 3ft high) around my TV which ...
A: If you were using any other kind of Marble or Granite "other" than Carrera Marble then I would not ...
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| Travertine Tle | 11/6/2008 |
Q: I am installing 12" X 12" honed travertine tile in a bathroom. Plan on renting a wet saw from Home ...
A: Travertine Stone is about the same density as a Ceramic tile even though it is a thicker material. ...
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| mobilehome / tile / hardi / particle board | 11/5/2008 |
Q: Its to my understanding that its not good to install tile in a mobile home do to the floors flexing ...
A: You are correct that particle board is a miserable material and not approved for a tile install. ...
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| Tile next to Hardwood Flooring | 11/5/2008 |
Q: You answered part of my question back in August of 2008 about not needing a transition piece between ...
A: Welcome back Mike, Sorry this is tardy, snow in the Mtns kept me from my computer, now your ...
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| removing marble | 11/3/2008 |
Q: How do you remove marble tile that a set over wonder board with a thin set
A: Sorry this is tardy, snow in the Mtns kept me from my computer, now for your question... I own a ...
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| Tile shower and floor | 11/3/2008 |
Q: We just had a ceramic tile and glass tile shower and bathroom floor installed. We chose white tiles ...
A: Sorry this is tardy, snow in the Mtns kept me from my computer, now on to your question... It ...
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| Epoxy removal in commercial kitchen | 11/2/2008 |
Q: Perry, I read your answer to the question about removing the epoxy off a 50 yr old floor. I have to ...
A: Sorry this is tardy, snow in the Mtns kept me from the computer, now your question... One of the ...
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| Travertine Tiles | 10/31/2008 |
Q: I am using travertine files to tile my fireplace - basically just a flat expanse of wall about 80 ft ...
A: The look you are proposing is a seldom (sadly) used option. Stacking tiles is possible with only the ...
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| paint on ceramic tiles | 10/28/2008 |
Q: I have recently moved into a home that has ceramic flooring. There are paint splatters on the tile ...
A: I would first try lacquer thinner as a solvent to loosen and remove the paint. If that doesn't work ...
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| below grade flooring | 10/28/2008 |
Q: We have a finished basement that I would like to turn into a great room with a TV and a guest ...
A: Hey Jan, It is possible to install the wood that I suggested to you (Kahrs). It has a vapor ...
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| non sanded vs. sanded | 10/27/2008 |
Q: We have just finished laying 700+ sq. ft. of versaille patterned chiseled edge stone in our house. ...
A: Well, you are comparing "apples to oranges" with your Sealer dilemma. There are a number of ...
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| Silicon Caulking Residue on Tile Floor | 10/27/2008 |
Q: We installed 7500 sq/ft of porcelain tile and about every 20-30 ft we put Mapei Keracolor sanded ...
A: Hindsight is always 20-20 right? Typically when dealing with this scenario I always mask off the ...
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| Travertine - 4 size villa pattern | 10/27/2008 |
Q: I am going to be laying travertine in a villa pattern which uses sizes 8x8, 8x16, 16x16 and 16x24. ...
A: I like your challenge, these always make for dramatic appearing floors once completed. You can use a ...
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| Grout Color | 10/27/2008 |
Q: I have recently put new tile down and the grout is the wrong color. Any suggetions?
A: Maybe a vacation might be in order??... I am not quite understanding what you are expecting of ...
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| How to lay tile around an island | 10/27/2008 |
Q: My kitchen and breakfast area are divided by an "island" extending from a wall (see picture). There ...
A: The way I was originally trained I would map out the entire floor using precise measurements and ...
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| Versabond used as leveller | 10/26/2008 |
Q: my contractor made a mistake and now I'm trying to figure out how to fix it. My 2nd floor had two ...
A: Well...a couple things to consider. One is thinset being used as a float material simply won't do. ...
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| Grout | 10/26/2008 |
Q: My contractor installed 18" porcelain tile in a large master bdrm/bath. The previous floor was ...
A: Hey Sue, Every grout has a fairly consistent "pot life" or how long it will last before it ...
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| Grout | 10/26/2008 |
Q: My contractor installed 18" porcelain tile in a large master bdrm/bath. The previous floor was ...
A: Whenever there is a major remodel everything builds on how well you prepare the sub-strate. When a ...
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| below grade flooring | 10/26/2008 |
Q: We have a finished basement that I would like to turn into a great room with a TV and a guest ...
A: I always recommend that linoleum/vinyl materials be removed from a sub-strate that is being ...
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| marble/carpet | 10/26/2008 |
Q: dilemmaHello, I have a dilemma how to make a marble-carpet transaction nice without using any ...
A: Hey Reda, Well, depending upon what was used for underlayment for the Marble you of course will ...
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| Laminate | 10/25/2008 |
Q: Iam trying to pick a laminate for my bedroom approx 10x12 for a beachside decor with white walls. ...
A: Both Pergo and Armstrong make finely produced laminates that assembly quickly and leave you with a ...
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| Carpet to tile transition | 10/25/2008 |
Q: I have a fireplace and am in the process of putting a round tile half circle approx 2 ft. by 4 ft. ...
A: Stop in to the Schluter Systems web site: www.schluter.com and click on the "products" tab and then ...
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| uneven travertine tiles | 10/24/2008 |
Q: I have 18" x 18" travertine stone floor tiles installed in my home. The polished tiles are uneven ...
A: I am assuming then that the floor and it's current condition was a pre-existing condition when you ...
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| polished porcelain tile | 10/23/2008 |
Q: I had polished porcelain tile installed using a cement/sand mixture as the bonding agent and as ...
A: I am currently scratching my head with the question you have posed to me. Polished Porcelain is one ...
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| marble/carpet | 10/22/2008 |
Q: dilemmaHello, I have a dilemma how to make a marble-carpet transaction nice without using any ...
A: There is a very simple solution to your question. I have long used a carpet tack strip along the ...
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| tile over pressed wood | 10/22/2008 |
Q: Mr. Vellenga, I have had a home improvement man with 26 years experience (supposely) start doing ...
A: The old saying is "it's hard to get the horse back in the barn once he's out and the door is ...
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| Re slate flooring... | 10/22/2008 |
Q: Installed about four years ago in a hall in a three-family home. The look is great -- mostly the ...
A: I always recommend that baking soda be used when cleaning a tile floor...Natural Stone or Ceramic. I ...
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| grout color | 10/20/2008 |
Q: I am installing a tumbled marble backsplash in Noce. I have ubatuba granite and white cabinets. What ...
A: You don't mention what size tumbled Stone you are using or if it is being installed on a 45* which ...
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| marble floor | 10/20/2008 |
Q: We have a new marble floor in our office that was installed next to an old marble floor. The tiles ...
A: In some cases Carol no amount of "mopping" will do the job. If there is a residue from the setting ...
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| Marble Vs tiles | 10/20/2008 |
Q: Actually we have bought a new flat in chennai, India. I would like to know which is best for ...
A: Hey Aruna, The size of the joints between the installed tiles is up to you. When I install a ...
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| Tile install | 10/20/2008 |
Q: hoping you can help with some advice. I have 13X13 porcelain tiles that I want to install in my main ...
A: Hey Pete, Aren't you glad I had you ask for this dude's insurance? No wonder he was "rushing" ...
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| Bathroom Tiling Prep | 10/18/2008 |
Q: I was hoping you could give some advice! I recently purchased a home and demo'd the bathroom. It has ...
A: Wow...I haven't heard of an assembly like yours in quite some time. It would seem that everyone had ...
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| replacing grout lines on tile | 10/17/2008 |
Q: I have a question on grout lines in tile along the surface of a swimming pool. You are an expert on ...
A: Well...ask this goober if he would make such an attempt, like what he is proposing, on his "own" ...
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| Slate floor with wood baseboards? | 10/17/2008 |
Q: We recently had a new slate floow installed, 12" square tiles. We were planning on replacing the ...
A: Although I think it's fine to remove the baseboard on most installs there is always an inherent risk ...
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| Grout problem | 10/16/2008 |
Q: I did the grout myself on a very large kitchen project and am not very happy with how even it turned ...
A: Grouting the floor is accurately declared to be the most important step in the installation process. ...
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| Marble Vs tiles | 10/16/2008 |
Q: Actually we have bought a new flat in chennai, India. I would like to know which is best for ...
A: The question of what is "best" for your needs can only be properly answered by you. I can tell you ...
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| Tile to carpet transition II | 10/15/2008 |
Q: Perry: I like your concept of the tile to carpet transitions without transition strips; however, I ...
A: I appreciate your investing some personal research prior to asking your question...well done. There ...
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| self leveling compound | 10/15/2008 |
Q: Is the 6.3 cm that my old kitchen floor has sunk to one corner too much for slc to rectify?
A: My "metric" conversion is not all that good but I know that 3cm is the standard thickness of our ...
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| Commercial tiling | 9/30/2008 |
Q: I recently had the opportunity to bid on 2 commercial tile jobs. 1. 4500sq/ft retail store in a mall ...
A: When I did all the Tenant Development installs it was better sometimes to bid out the job according ...
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| outside front porch | 9/29/2008 |
Q: I live in Salt Lake City UT I have a front porch that is starting to break up on the top is it ...
A: Well...you are not giving me much to go on here Mark. I am assuming that the porch is a cement slab? ...
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| Porcelain Tiles | 9/29/2008 |
Q: We've just had porcelain tiles laid in our bathroom. The floor tiles apparently have a wax ...
A: The paraffin wax can also be removed with a scrub pad and some aggressive elbow grease. If you have ...
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| tile | 9/29/2008 |
Q: Perry, A few questions regarding laying tile. I haven’t selected the tile, so I don’t know if it ...
A: The need for backbuttering is dependent upon two things...the flatness of the substrate and or the ...
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| Porcelain tile | 9/29/2008 |
Q: We have purchased porcelain tile for our bathrooms,laundry room, kitchen, and entry area. I laid it ...
A: While a "tight" joint is a good method of install to reduce grout exposure there should be a small ...
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| Marble with 3/16 joint | 9/28/2008 |
Q: I found out after id laid marble tile with 3/16 spaces that I couldnt use unsanded grout with it. ...
A: The polished surface of the Marble is a lot harder than you are suspecting. The only polished Marble ...
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| Retiling a tile bathroom floor | 9/28/2008 |
Q: I'm just getting started on this project and have had some limited experience tiling backsplashes ...
A: If you are willing to do the work yourself then I want you to be prepared to have sore and tired ...
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| vinyl tile | 9/19/2008 |
Q: I would like to install peel and stick vinyl tile in an older manufactured home - roughly 14 yrs ...
A: When you pull up the carpet you will have to decide then if the sub-floor is good enough to receive ...
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| Laminate floor | 9/19/2008 |
Q: Our Kitchen floor is laminate floor and is a light oak, I want to add to my living room and my ...
A: In this situation you are found "betwixt and between" so you have to determine what kind of ...
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| Travertine on raised floor | 9/19/2008 |
Q: I have a raised foundation supported by 2x6's varying in spacing none more than 16 on center, most ...
A: Hey Jeff, If you were to use a single layer of 1/2" plywood glued and screwed then you can ...
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| Ceramic tile install on open balcony - slope | 9/19/2008 |
Q: I had indoor/outdoor ceramic tile installed on an open balcony (35'x4') in our San Diego condo. I ...
A: There isn't an Industry Standard that dictates a business deal. When it comes to these kind of ...
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| grout warranty | 9/18/2008 |
Q: I am a general contractor and I did a shower remodel about 4 yrs ago and the client has called me ...
A: You are correct in your logical conclusion. Ninety percent of Contractors hold to a 12 month (single ...
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| grout sealant...oops! | 9/18/2008 |
Q: Oh, I really did it this time... I just had porcelain tile installed and they did a marvelous job. ...
A: Well Jen...your oops is not the end of the World. The chalky residue is most likely from moisture in ...
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| Tumbled Tile Backsplash | 9/17/2008 |
Q: We have installed a tumbled marble back splash in Chiaro. We used Linen colored grout and it all ...
A: You are mixing apples and oranges because the differing sealers are designed to perform different ...
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| terra cotta tile | 9/17/2008 |
Q: I would like to change or lighten the color of my terra cotta floor tiles. They are on my outside ...
A: As there are dozens and dozens of production Terra Cotta tile it is impossible for me to discern ...
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| travertine tile | 9/17/2008 |
Q: I purchased this tile also. I bought sealer from lowes, it was cheap, and applied 3 coats before ...
A: Well...you haven't given me a lot to go on but in this case I have a suspicion what may be ...
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| proper way to install hardibacker over plywood | 9/17/2008 |
Q: Perry, we are in the process of installing 12" X 12" porcelain tile in our kitchen. The joists are ...
A: I like your style Jim, that is a professional approach to solving a less than ideal sub-flooring ...
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| Travertine on raised floor | 9/17/2008 |
Q: I have a raised foundation supported by 2x6's varying in spacing none more than 16 on center, most ...
A: Ok Jeff... You do not need to remove any of the 1" x 6" planks of the sub-floor. The ...
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| tile over lino | 9/16/2008 |
Q: I plan to have porcelain tile installed in my kitchen. One installer suggested laying it on top of ...
A: Let me start by saying...do not install tile of any kind over the top of linoleum. You are inviting ...
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| concrete decoration (kinda) | 9/16/2008 |
Q: i have a concrete driveway in buffalo new york that is generally NOT used for cars (plants, tables, ...
A: Hey Kathy, Can't guarantee that cement won't make some kind of "visual" contribution to the ...
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| tiling my first flor | 9/14/2008 |
Q: eric. thanks for takin' the time to read over my question. i'm installing tiles into my house. i've ...
A: I see that you were looking to ask "Eric" a question but you got me instead. If your ok with it I'll ...
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| Travertine on raised floor | 9/14/2008 |
Q: I have a raised foundation supported by 2x6's varying in spacing none more than 16 on center, most ...
A: I have to admit that this foundation of yours really sounds convoluted at best! Ideally we want to ...
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| laying travertine tile outdoors over concrete | 9/13/2008 |
Q: Perry, We want to lay 18" travertine tile over a 900 sq.ft. concrete pad outdoors in the Pittsburgh ...
A: The Travertine, in truth is "better" than the Porcelain. Not because it is harder than Porcelain ...
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| Black Grout, white powder residue | 9/13/2008 |
Q: I purchased American Olean Black 1x1 tile surrounded by 1x2 white tiles in a classic pinwheel ...
A: Hey Sarah... Yes the "doodle bug kit" is intended for both the tile and grout application. ...
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| porcelain tile | 9/13/2008 |
Q: my son is installing porcelain tile in his bathroom/laundry room. he has an air conditioning vent in ...
A: The usual way I cut out a "captured" opening in a single tile...meaning an opening that is entirely ...
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| tile over stained concrete | 9/12/2008 |
Q: In 2001 I had new concrete poured for a patio to sunroom conversion. The concrete was stained with ...
A: With the passing of seven years behind you I suspect that any morsel of protection from the floor ...
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| Tile install | 9/12/2008 |
Q: hoping you can help with some advice. I have 13X13 porcelain tiles that I want to install in my main ...
A: Hey Pete, A "dry pack" install is just "old school" mud work. It allows the floor sub-strate to ...
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| concrete decoration (kinda) | 9/12/2008 |
Q: i have a concrete driveway in buffalo new york that is generally NOT used for cars (plants, tables, ...
A: Well all you need for your apparent art project is a bag of cement and some edging material like ...
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| Black Grout, white powder residue | 9/12/2008 |
Q: I purchased American Olean Black 1x1 tile surrounded by 1x2 white tiles in a classic pinwheel ...
A: I have to wonder sometimes at just how inept some Contractors really are anymore. Do not let this ...
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| cutting a hole in INSTALLED marble tile | 9/11/2008 |
Q: I have a bar area with a countertop covered in marble tile. I plan to install a undercounter ...
A: Drilling a hole in "Marble" is not hard so long as it is "Marble". If this is Granite then that's a ...
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| hardibacker board over tile | 9/11/2008 |
Q: I have tile in my foyer witch I need to change the problem the old tile has a appox. 2 inches of ...
A: If you adhere an additional layer of underlayment, then the new setting bed, then the tile you wish ...
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| tiles | 9/11/2008 |
Q: Is vetrified/marbonite is better for homes? What is the difeerence?
A: I have answered this question a couple times and for the sake of brevity all you need to do is to ...
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| Thinset | 9/2/2008 |
Q: I am installing tile in my bathroom floor and tub/shower surround. All tile will be set over ...
A: Sorry this is tardy Adam, I had placed myself on vacation and when I returned I saw that a couple ...
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| Tile install | 9/2/2008 |
Q: hoping you can help with some advice. I have 13X13 porcelain tiles that I want to install in my main ...
A: Sorry Pete, I placed myself on vacation and left town now I see upon returning that a couple slipped ...
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| Ceramic tile over XPS | 9/2/2008 |
Q: I'm renovating my basement and am stuck on a flooring decision. We've got a typical concrete ...
A: This product is more often used as a "first layer" assembly when desiring to insulate a basement ...
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| glass tiles | 9/2/2008 |
Q: i need to know the type of transparent glass to buy.i have a contract to tile a floor with ...
A: I am not quite sure exactly what you would like to recommend to you. You make no mention of a size ...
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| Tile...good to go? | 9/1/2008 |
Q: I am about to do my first tile job. Floor joist are 1 1/2 x 6 3/4 sometimes 7" I guess these would ...
A: Hey Steve, In todays markets homeowners should be looking for any and all methods and means to ...
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| 18 Inch Travertine from HD | 8/31/2008 |
Q: I saw that HD has their 18 inch Travertine for 2.49sf where I live. Ok is this too good of a deal ...
A: Hey Brett, The basic install is exactly the same with one big caveat...your grout joints (if ...
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| Carrera Marble Turning Grey | 8/31/2008 |
Q: Last summer I remodeled my bathroom and shower with a very nice basket-weave carrera marble tile. ...
A: What you are witnessing isn't "hard" water Jeff, I think all your seeing is water period. Something ...
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| wood floor/wood trim | 8/31/2008 |
Q: I read your answer about a dark wood floor used with existing dark wood trim--I have a similar ...
A: I believe I am like most in my field where we like to see a consistent theme as you are moving ...
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| Outdoor Ceramic Tile | 8/31/2008 |
Q: We have recently moved in to our home which has ceramic tile installed on our outside landing and ...
A: Salt will do more than leave a residue...it will burn/etch a flat surface tile and there is little ...
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| 18 Inch Travertine from HD | 8/30/2008 |
Q: I saw that HD has their 18 inch Travertine for 2.49sf where I live. Ok is this too good of a deal ...
A: To be honest with you Brett, the deal is so good that "I" bought 450 sq. ft. of 3 years ago and put ...
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| Tile next to Hardwood Flooring | 8/30/2008 |
Q: My husband and I have a 4 year old home where the carpet has basically been destroyed by our dog. ...
A: It is indeed a common thing to tie a wood install right up to a tile install. The key is to install ...
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| tile layout | 8/30/2008 |
Q: I have found a great clipped corner tile with a granite insert I would like to use in my entrance. ...
A: Hey Elizabeth, It's been awhile since I have come across the smaller format designs mainly ...
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| tavertine over brick | 8/30/2008 |
Q: I'm tiling over an old brick wall. I've cleaned the surface with a wire wheel and vacuumed the wall. ...
A: If you are not an experienced mechanic then I would recommend that you skim/fill the surface of the ...
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| tile layout | 8/30/2008 |
Q: I have found a great clipped corner tile with a granite insert I would like to use in my entrance. ...
A: Hey Elizabeth, Many design schemes will not make sense to some that behold it so I would say ...
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| Tile...good to go? | 8/29/2008 |
Q: I am about to do my first tile job. Floor joist are 1 1/2 x 6 3/4 sometimes 7" I guess these would ...
A: Hey Steve, The Ditra, while commonly used for an underlayment was really designed as an ...
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| travetine | 8/29/2008 |
Q: can i put travertine on a wooden floor, are they strong enough or they will crack? if is yes which ...
A: Hey Max, Ok...I'm still guessing but I suppose that you may have a plywood sub-floor under your ...
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| polished porcelain tiles help | 8/28/2008 |
Q: he has grouted them and now we cant get them clean they look dull and cloudly. Is there any thing we ...
A: First you need to have your original installer return to address this issue right away. It is solely ...
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| Antique French Terra Cotta Tile | 8/28/2008 |
Q: Do you know of any site where I can purchase Antique French Terra Cotta Tiles online?
A: While I do not know of a specific site where you can find such a material there are Companies out ...
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| travetine | 8/27/2008 |
Q: can i put travertine on a wooden floor, are they strong enough or they will crack? if is yes which ...
A: Well Max I don't have much to go on here as I have to guess that you are asking whether you can ...
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| tile layout | 8/27/2008 |
Q: I have found a great clipped corner tile with a granite insert I would like to use in my entrance. ...
A: I see what you are telling me, but I can also "read" what you are saying as well Elizabeth. I ...
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| Tile...good to go? | 8/27/2008 |
Q: I am about to do my first tile job. Floor joist are 1 1/2 x 6 3/4 sometimes 7" I guess these would ...
A: Well the initial assembly should support a modest format tile ie: 12x12" or "smaller" not larger. ...
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| thinset removal | 8/27/2008 |
Q: I have pulled up all the tiles in my kitchen. What methods can I use to remove all the thinset so I ...
A: Believe it or not but the hard part is done, what remains is the "detail" portion of any demolition. ...
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| machine to use | 8/27/2008 |
Q: In your own experience I would like to update the right tools to remove old marble floor tiles ...
A: Well Monique, there is nearly as many tools with which to apply to either a demolition project or an ...
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| sub floor prep. prior to tile | 8/16/2008 |
Q: My wife and I painted our sub-floor with kilz paint after we removed our carpet. We have decided to ...
A: Sorry I'm a bit tardy...I was stuck out of town and I just got home, on to your question... ...
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| Laying porceline floor tile over new cement | 8/16/2008 |
Q: Must we do anything to prepare the cement to accept the mastic? Must anything be painted on the tile ...
A: Sorry for my being a bit tardy...I was stuck out of town, just got home. On to your question... ...
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| travertine medallion on a screened in porch | 8/16/2008 |
Q: I have recently purchased a 36"x36" travertine floor medallion to put dead center on my screened in ...
A: Installing a layer of Wonderboard will greatly enhance the screen porch surviving tough Winters, but ...
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| Floor prep for marble | 8/16/2008 |
Q: I have just ripped up my ceramic tile floors, but there is a very stubborn thin set that didnt come ...
A: Without removing the hard old thinset you will have effectively used up whatever the old dimension ...
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| Travertine stain | 8/15/2008 |
Q: I just purchased a vanity for my bathroom. The top is travertine but it's too light. It looks ...
A: It is unlikely that you will be able to successfully stain this top without mechanical means. This ...
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| Tiling a semi-covered outdoor concrete patio with crack | 8/14/2008 |
Q: I've scraped our 30 year old 18'X 15'8" partially covered patio have have tile installed. There is a ...
A: When faced with an install that will be directly married to adverse weather conditions a good plan ...
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| new deck floor / carpet | 8/14/2008 |
Q: I am adding a 10X22 deck to the back of my modular home. I will be installing outdoor carpet. What ...
A: What I would consider using is two products not just one. With an exterior application for your ...
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| Tile Grout | 8/14/2008 |
Q: We just had a ceramic shower installed in our bathroom. We just used it for the first time last ...
A: There are some incomplete points of information that you do not mention like size of the tile...size ...
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| Tiling questions | 8/14/2008 |
Q: First, let me say I find you and this site extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Now... I'm ...
A: David... I am as serious as I can be about the "premixed" material. In particular I had to bail ...
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| Ceramic Tiles That Collect Moisture | 8/13/2008 |
Q: My house which was built in the early 1960's in NJ is a split level; and we have porous tile floor ...
A: Welcome back Lee, I appreciate your kind words and confidence in me but I am not the weather ...
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| Tiling questions | 8/13/2008 |
Q: First, let me say I find you and this site extremely helpful. Thank you very much. Now... I'm ...
A: Hey David, welcome back, Glad I could help with your project. Now your first question...1) any ...
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| thinset mortor for 18x18 marble | 8/13/2008 |
Q: i have 18x18 by 1/2" thick marble tile made in spain it has a reason laminate with 8- 1/4" lines ...
A: Ok Ralph...now your talking, The "reinforcing" fiberglass backing is to help stabilize the ...
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| thinset mortor for 18x18 marble | 8/13/2008 |
Q: i have 18x18 by 1/2" thick marble tile made in spain it has a reason laminate with 8- 1/4" lines ...
A: I have looked at your question closely Ralph but I can't for the life of me figure out what you are ...
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| transition between tile and concrete floor | 8/7/2008 |
Q: I am a designer with a question I can't seem to find a product for. We are specifying 5/16" thick ...
A: The modern platform for tile producers these days is that many are discovering that formally ...
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| Ceramic Tiles That Collect Moisture | 8/7/2008 |
Q: My house which was built in the early 1960's in NJ is a split level; and we have porous tile floor ...
A: You do have a quandary with your home, but before you move forward with a significant remodel ...
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| linoleum flooring | 8/7/2008 |
Q: I have an armstrong linoleum kitchen floor cover. I intend to install OVER this existing linoleum ...
A: If you were installing Linoleum over the top of an existing Tile floor that has grout joints then ...
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| Tiling | 8/7/2008 |
Q: I am going to be installing a tumbled marble backsplash - chiaro. I have a few questions. Can I ...
A: Hey Scott, Most grouts will have a dry dull appearance to them if left unsealed. This is one of ...
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| marble tile | 8/6/2008 |
Q: good afternoon. I am wanting to tile my bathroom with marble. I have had several successes with ...
A: I have seen both joint spacing used and many installers would argue that it's a personal preference, ...
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| Can VCT tiles be painted? | 8/6/2008 |
Q: Our church has had VCT tiles for over 20 years, but about 10 years ago, carpet was glued down over ...
A: Well of course you can paint the VCT but whether it will last is the real question. With the tiles ...
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| Tiling | 8/5/2008 |
Q: I am going to be installing a tumbled marble backsplash - chiaro. I have a few questions. Can I ...
A: You can indeed install your Stone right over the drywall so long as it is flat and tight...no need ...
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| Polished 20x20 rectified tile | 8/5/2008 |
Q: We are thinking of getting 20x20 porcelain rectified tiles. We found one tile we love and one we ...
A: While some polished tiles might stain this is not the case with a Porcelain tile. It is a virtually ...
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| patio tiling | 8/4/2008 |
Q: Our front entrance patio needs to be re-tiled, primarily because it is allowing rainwater to form a ...
A: You do not need to go to great lengths to produce the desired effect. In this case I would purchase ...
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| Industry standards/subfloor for installing 18x18 porcelain tile | 8/4/2008 |
Q: I recently read your answer to a question presented by a homeowner concerning "ponds" in their ...
A: I have read you question carefully three times trying to get a visual along with what you have typed ...
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| Outdoor concrete patio with patches of "loose" concrete. | 8/4/2008 |
Q: I live in Chicago and our front patio was covered in paver bricks which have come loose. The pavers ...
A: It's rather hard to make a positive determination for you without actually laying eyes on what your ...
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| travertine floor | 7/27/2008 |
Q: I did learn many things from your postings but i still need some more info. I am installing ...
A: Hey Vasi, Your "brushed" finish sounds like a "honed" finish as I understand it so a sealer is ...
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| How much laminate to buy | 7/26/2008 |
Q: I am a fellow Expert with NO math knowledge. I want to use laminate (each plank is 7 1/4" x 47 ...
A: You have less than 100 square feet to cover but when you are using a fixed material that is adjusted ...
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| Grout Compatibility | 7/26/2008 |
Q: Would it be ok for me to apply non-sanded grout straight over sanded grout in a tub surround (wall ...
A: So long as your goal is to fill pin holes only then your plan will work. I wouldn't full spread the ...
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| Ceramic Tile | 7/25/2008 |
Q: We just had our bathroom carpet and old (small) tiles ripped out and replaced with larger ...
A: Grout is not your solution here in this instance...caulking is. While a quarter round molding is a ...
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| Placing ceramic tiles over vinly in a 2nd floor condo unit | 7/24/2008 |
Q: I would like to place ceramic tiles over exisiting vinly in our condo on the 2nd floor. I am not ...
A: Sorry Neeta...I can not recommend that you install tile over a vinyl. Vinyl by itself is as stable ...
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| retrofit hearth with granite tile | 7/24/2008 |
Q: We removed a 3 inch raised hearth and are replacing it with granite tile. We'd like the tile to be ...
A: If your measurements are correct then we are concerning ourselves with only a 1/4" of buildup which ...
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| travertine floor | 7/24/2008 |
Q: I did learn many things from your postings but i still need some more info. I am installing ...
A: I appreciate you investing the time researching in the archive which will always help to focus your ...
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| bad grout job | 7/23/2008 |
Q: We have a new ceramic tile floor in kitchen, hall, mudroom, bathroom, laundry room with brown sanded ...
A: I have always instructed my helpers or anyone I was training to be a setter/mechanic that "a good ...
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| glue residue | 7/23/2008 |
Q: my bathroom project schedule has hit a glitch and now I have removed the old linoleum tile and most ...
A: I know exactly what you are talking about with the sticky remnant. I used to live and work in ...
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| cement under parquet flooring | 7/22/2008 |
Q: i have a 1950's home. It all had parquet flooring at one time. But at some point there must have ...
A: Hey Darrell, You will want to inspect what remains of the old cut back adhesive so that there ...
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| Caulking Joint between Tile and Tile | 7/21/2008 |
Q: Perry: I have a problem with a caulking job. I need to recaulk the joint between a tile floor and ...
A: I would go from where you are with the finger operation to the blue tape operation. If you tightly ...
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| Carrera marble | 7/19/2008 |
Q: I bought an apartment in Paris 8 years ago with grey carrera marble on the wall around the ...
A: You do not seem stupid to me as your question is reasonable and pointed. What sounds like to me is a ...
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| lifting/loose new tile ceramic | 7/19/2008 |
Q: we had aprofessional put a new plywood 3/8 subfloor over an existing vinyl floor with subfloor and ...
A: Putting this picture together you have hit on some glaring possibilities. For one, if the installer ...
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| cement under parquet flooring | 7/18/2008 |
Q: i have a 1950's home. It all had parquet flooring at one time. But at some point there must have ...
A: You have found yourself in quite a spot with all this parquet. I hate the stuff as it used to be a ...
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| tiling over stencil concrete | 7/18/2008 |
Q: Hey Perry, I wish to tile over some 8 year old sprayed stencil concrete with tiles as the stencilled ...
A: The best way to get this form of coating up is to rent or purchase a standing scraper. It is ...
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| sealing tile floor | 7/17/2008 |
Q: ! We had some ceramic tile given to us (white) we used white grout. Should we seal the grout? I'm ...
A: I can confidently say...it depends...how you live and who's in the house with you will dictate what ...
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| stained outdoor tiles | 7/16/2008 |
Q: i just laid italian tiles on my verandah,they are matt non glossy but discovered that the dark ...
A: You may need to employ different cleaning application to address different problems. First for any ...
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| glazing tiles a different color | 7/16/2008 |
Q: we have the old 4x4 tiles in an off red throughout our cabin, although they are still in great ...
A: You are not the first one to have this desire that's for sure, but to be honest there really isn't a ...
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| Tile & Grout | 7/15/2008 |
Q: we just had the backsplash installed. We had used Jerusalem Gold tiles for it. After the grouting ...
A: I simply reject the notion of rinsing a Natural Stone material with an acid based chemical ...
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| cleaning grout | 7/15/2008 |
Q: Can you tell me the best way to clean sanded grout? My ceramic tile's grout needs to be resealed ...
A: Ok when it comes to just cleaning grout or cleaning grout so that it can be sealed to me are two ...
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| subfloor question | 7/14/2008 |
Q: I have my bathroom down to the subfloor which seems to be slats (not plywood). The slats are in good ...
A: I am supposing that beneath these slats are additional means of supports (joists) so if you use a ...
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| Pellet Stove Platform | 7/14/2008 |
Q: I am building a platform for a new pellet stove which I would like to tile. Once I build the frame, ...
A: Hey Judy, The 1/4" material will be just fine and will allow the cement board an improved ...
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| Tile and wood subfloor and off grade | 7/13/2008 |
Q: We would like to replace the tile in our kitchen remodel. The current tile has cracks in the grout ...
A: Without being able to visually inspect your current conditions, structure, and support assembly it ...
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| Floor Prep, Scraping | 7/12/2008 |
Q: I am removing old carpet and vinyl flooring. The concrete is in good shape, but it appears to have a ...
A: What I suspect that you have as a float material is a lightweight product called "Dependable"...it ...
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| Pellet Stove Platform | 7/12/2008 |
Q: I am building a platform for a new pellet stove which I would like to tile. Once I build the frame, ...
A: In order to have a structurally stable platform (one that won't sag over time) I would use both the ...
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| Replacing single travertine tiles | 7/11/2008 |
Q: How do I got about replacing single travertine tiles here and there in my house? There is no grout ...
A: I did a lengthy exchange with another questioner in dealing with this exact thing a few months ago. ...
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| Tiles on concrete floor | 7/11/2008 |
Q: I live in a high rise and want to remove the ceramic tiles from my kitchen. I know they are laid ...
A: There is a perfect tool specifically designed for lightweight demolition like yours. It's called a ...
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| Uneven grout lines | 7/10/2008 |
Q: I have an elderly client who had a new porcelain floor installed in the kitchen, but has uneven ...
A: I wonder if a Doctor were to make that statement to "him" after "UN"successful cosmetic surgery he ...
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| poor porcelain floor tile installation | 7/10/2008 |
Q: My entire 1600 SF home was installed with 20x20 Mediterreanea porcelain tile in mostly brick style, ...
A: Wow...I marvel at the arrogance of todays contractors. There was a time Kate when "no one was happy ...
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| Travertine wall installation | 7/10/2008 |
Q: Mr. Vellenga, I have a quote to install 2x4" travertine subway-style stone in my kitchen. I also ...
A: Years ago I worked in Houston in a couple different places...clothing stores (a big Casual Corner)in ...
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| GARAGE TILE | 7/10/2008 |
Q: HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF AUTO STONE I GUESS IT'S USED IN BMW CAR DEALERSHIPS, ANYWAY HOW DO YOU ...
A: Sorry Matt, it is simply impossible to keep up with any particular manufactured material in ...
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| Onyx in steam shower | 7/9/2008 |
Q: We are contemplating putting onyx in the steam shower of a custom home we are building. It will be ...
A: If you have heard good and bad then I'll simply be falling on one side or the other won't I?...That ...
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| Black grout staining white tile | 7/9/2008 |
Q: Yesterday my contractor laid our unglazed pocelain tile (dah-tile keystone) floor in our bathroom. ...
A: Porcelain tiles are not glazed like Ceramic tile are they are Porcelain through and through so ...
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| concrete vs. durorock | 7/9/2008 |
Q: I live in a bldg in NYC, built in 1929. The eat-in kitchen has half old parquet floor and half ...
A: Hey Janis, I think you will be just fine as the felt paper is just a small ingredient to a ...
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| refinishing hardwood floors | 7/7/2008 |
Q: how wise is it to refinish your own hardwood floors as opposed to hiring a professional? im 26 adn i ...
A: Sanding a natural wood floor is not like installing your own tile floor. Wood is an unpredictable ...
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| concrete vs. durorock | 7/7/2008 |
Q: I live in a bldg in NYC, built in 1929. The eat-in kitchen has half old parquet floor and half ...
A: Well I boil it down to a labor issue. Is it easier to bring up presized and dimensionally stable ...
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| Travertine Floors | 6/26/2008 |
Q: We just purchased a home with travertine flooring. We believe it was not sealed. In one of your ...
A: There are a number of stone cleaners that are acceptable to use as a cleaning medium..ie: Stone Soap ...
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| Outdoor Tile over Existing Concrete Patio | 6/26/2008 |
Q: First of all, thank you for being there to help. To date I have been to tile stores and stone yards ...
A: There are several options that you can entertain as a usable/suitable material in a tile format. You ...
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| installing tile in mobile home | 6/26/2008 |
Q: Can ditra be installed on 3/4" particle board in a mobile home with joists 16" on center. The home ...
A: Your intuition in this case is ringing true. You can not install Ditra directly to particle board ...
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| Repairing etched marble floor tile | 6/26/2008 |
Q: The renovation contractor for my home in Bangkok used hydrochloric acid in a very stupid attempt to ...
A: When I first read your question I caught my breath for a second, wondering first where the heck did ...
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| porcelain tile | 6/26/2008 |
Q: We are planning on installing tile in the kitchen.Our current floor has linoleum over cement. The ...
A: The Linoleum simply has to go. You should NEVER install tile over vinyl of any kind as sooner or ...
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| Verified Titles | 6/25/2008 |
Q: Could anyone tell me pls what is verified titles tks
A: When you "vitrify" something, in this case tiles, you are fusing a glass like substance to the ...
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| porcelain question | 6/25/2008 |
Q: how do you make an outside corner if no bullnose is availiable?
A: Typically when a tile is produced they will produce a "trim" for it as well. Knowing this, seldom do ...
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| sponges for tile | 6/24/2008 |
Q: I have been laying tile for about 29 years --when I started I bought ($20.00) a sponge for cleaning ...
A: When I started around the same time you did the "Hydro"sponge was not even on the horizon yet in my ...
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| 8x8 tile | 6/24/2008 |
Q: I was repairing a leaky picture window when I fell through the floor! The subfloor had rotted out. ...
A: I hope you weren't hurt, but you gave me a moments laugh for sure. I had visions of the movie "Money ...
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| tiling a outdoor deck | 6/23/2008 |
Q: What is the proper subfloor for an outdoor deck if I want to tile it We live in the north so we will ...
A: For me personally I prefer a cement slab to any other kind of substrate when you are planning to add ...
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| Backing "extra" in tile installation? | 6/22/2008 |
Q: I am in the middle of a flooring change and bathroom remodel in my condo (in California, if that ...
A: Over the years Vara, I have come to know several good and fair Contractors and during that same time ...
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| ceramic tile | 6/21/2008 |
Q: We had ceramic tile installed in our bathrooms. The installer put primed white quarter round shoe ...
A: You don't have to caulk this joint but there may be some difficulty in trying to paint the shoe ...
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| Broken Ceramic tile | 6/20/2008 |
Q: There are several broken tiles in one area of the kitchen. If nothing was dropped on them-there are ...
A: It is nigh onto impossible for me to evaluate a cause basically having zero information in which to ...
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| rough surface from radiant wiring | 6/20/2008 |
Q: After installing radiant floor wiring (SunTouch WarmWire) on 1/2" backerboard I could not get the ...
A: Hey Paul, The compound will perform just fine over the thinset. Although I must say I am a bit ...
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| Porcelain tile installation | 6/19/2008 |
Q: I have a floor where the plywood subfloor abuts a concrete foundation for my fireplace; both the ...
A: Well...not so fast with the attempted addition of a "layer or two" of any quick set float. First I ...
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| Tiling over Acrylic | 6/19/2008 |
Q: I own a very large walk-in (handicap)shower. The shower itself is in perfect condition, but its the ...
A: Sadly Lenny, you simply can not install tile over an acrylic shower pan. As long as the pan is in ...
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| rough surface from radiant wiring | 6/19/2008 |
Q: After installing radiant floor wiring (SunTouch WarmWire) on 1/2" backerboard I could not get the ...
A: I was just yesterday looking at a display board provided to the Distributor where I was picking up ...
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| new grout turning green in some areas | 6/18/2008 |
Q: i had remodel shower by someone it was fine until they had to come back and replaces some of the ...
A: I can't be completely sure what is happening without actually seeing what things look like but I ...
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| WOOD LIKE TILE | 6/18/2008 |
Q: I've heard that there is now a Ceramic or Porcelain tile that mimics wood exactly. I've heard that ...
A: I worked for a few years at a Resort Beach Hotel in Florida where I installed several thousands of ...
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| engineered wood over uneven concrete | 6/17/2008 |
Q: Hey Perry, Here's the deal. I am doing a kitchen remodel for my parents. They have a concrete slab ...
A: First let me say that you are a good son...and I commend you on your desire to help them and to be ...
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| Bathroom threshold - floor tile vs. marble | 6/17/2008 |
Q: Howdy, Perry - thank you for letting me ask a question. Having my full bathroom totally redone. ...
A: You have hit on one of my personal favorites of a tile material..."Mexican" tile or otherwise known ...
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| installing tile, such as saltillo, over a brick floor | 6/17/2008 |
Q: I am wondering if it's feasible to install saltillo-type tile or slate tiles over a brick floor. ...
A: You certainly can install a new layer of tile over the brick. I am thinking that what you have are ...
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| Carrera marble in shower stall? | 6/16/2008 |
Q: We are in the first throes of research to renovate our bathroom. We are very attracted to the look ...
A: You are right on with the discovery that Carrera Marble has been around for a long time, certainly ...
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| Tile scuff marks? | 6/16/2008 |
Q: Our tile expert layed a beautiful pattern of tile in our living room, foyer, and powder. BUT the ...
A: To be honest Ellen, anything that you "apply" to the surface of this material will be temporary at ...
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| Marble | 6/16/2008 |
Q: I have two rooms and an entry way that make up about 560 sq ft of marble. I want to replace or cover ...
A: I won't ask why you want to cover up the Marble (but I would like to), that being said though there ...
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| 1/16" joint grout | 6/5/2008 |
Q: Perry, Like other posters, we selected 20x20" porcelain rectified tile and had it installed with a ...
A: This is not an uncommon problem Bruce, a 20x20 Porcelain tile is never as "true" as a 20x20 ...
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| floor grout | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I have just finished laying 44 sq metres of Travertine tiles to an exterior part of my garden on a ...
A: When the joints get small, typically 1/8" or less then a "non"sanded grout will be needed. When they ...
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| Marble | 6/4/2008 |
Q: what is the life span of marble and granite?
A: Modern day produced Marble or Granite tiles will have a service life of perhaps 50 years before ...
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| Grout problem in tiled shower | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I have a shower with 4x4 white tile and non-sanded white grout. I have a small shelf with these ...
A: When you cleaned out the old grout did you use grout from the exact same bag that was used the first ...
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| flooring | 6/4/2008 |
Q: We have cement slab..not even..how do we make it even and we want cabin effect..cheap..we have some ...
A: Well...you haven't given much to go on here. As I can only see text on a page (so to speak) I ...
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| Water seepage through tile floor? | 6/4/2008 |
Q: I bought a 2-story townhome in December 2006. Both full baths are upstairs and have tile flooring. ...
A: Unless you have "triplets" that engage in a "splashfest" nightly, I have to doubt that sufficient ...
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| remodel bathroom | 6/3/2008 |
Q: I have a 5' X 8' master bath that contains a shower and toilet. I removed the leaking shower ...
A: You have dug down into what would be a fun job for me. What you are doing is just the way I ...
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| removing excess mastic tile adhesive from facade | 6/3/2008 |
Q: I hope you are well. I have installed glazed ceramic tile, with glass tile accents, as a back ...
A: The easiest way to remove this is with a razor blade the kind that wall paper folks use, with the ...
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| Verified Tiles vs Marble | 6/3/2008 |
Q: I would like to know which floor (Verified Tiles or Marble) will keep the atmosphere cooler. I am ...
A: I am not sure why but I have received many questions from your area of India, which I enjoy and I'm ...
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| Porceline Tiles | 6/2/2008 |
Q: I have beautiful porceline tiles with many "levels, grooves etc". I have had to clean each tile by ...
A: Hey Lynn, Your kind words that you provided in response to my answer along with the funny wit ...
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| Quick-dry thinset | 6/2/2008 |
Q: the installer said call him when the extra grout I ordered came in (I wasn't sure we had enough). ...
A: Hey Sheila, What does your "gut" tell you? Don't you have to wonder "if proper installation ...
|
| grout sealer | 6/2/2008 |
Q: You also emailed that you did not recommend Tile Labs for sealer and I believe that is what I used ...
A: Hey Judy, Sorry I didn't fill in the "loaded response" when "not" recommending something and ...
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| saltillo tile repair | 6/1/2008 |
Q: I have saltillo tile on my floors and they were sealed about 12 years ago. On the high traffic ...
A: Well...your floor has arrived at the expected point in it's life where it needs to be stripped and ...
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| One Step Forgotten. Grouted Marble Tile before sealing. | 6/1/2008 |
Q: I just grouted in a small area in a bathroom with marble tile. After noticing that stone seamed ...
A: First you have already committed to grouting the stone so complete the job before you move forward. ...
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| floor tile grout cleaning | 5/31/2008 |
Q: What is a good product and process for cleaning old, dirty floor grout? Thank you, Judy
A: Normally I don't specifically point out a particular product found @ your local Home Improvement ...
|
| Rubber backed rug on marble floor? | 5/31/2008 |
Q: I just installed a wonderful marble floor and marble that surrounds the tub and shower walls. I have ...
A: The rug in question will do just fine Justin, what you need to be mindful of is should things get ...
|
| Expansion joint - wood/tile radiant | 5/31/2008 |
Q: New home construction - there will be radiant heat throughout so I'm concerned about uneven ...
A: There is a temptation to maintain a similar space between the wood to tile transition as there is ...
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| Kitchen tile | 5/31/2008 |
Q: We are installing ceramic kitchen tile, 18 inch and 6 inch tiles. Our floor is ½ inch ply overlaid ...
A: Well you have more than "one" problem to contend with here. The floor joist spacing is going to ...
|
| Marble slabs outside... | 5/31/2008 |
Q: ..my mom and dad built their house in the late 70s and used marble slabs for 3 large outdoor patios. ...
A: I guess no one told our ancestors that Marble shouldn't be used in an exterior application as many ...
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| grouting outside stone | 5/30/2008 |
Q: We have left over stone and wanted to do our walkway up to the house with those pieces. There will ...
A: Well...you will need to perform a different method of grouting between the stones called a "Baker's ...
|
| Porceline Tiles | 5/30/2008 |
Q: I have beautiful porceline tiles with many "levels, grooves etc". I have had to clean each tile by ...
A: This is not your fault Lynn...it's the fault of the sales person who showed you this material ...
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| Quick-dry thinset | 5/30/2008 |
Q: the installer said call him when the extra grout I ordered came in (I wasn't sure we had enough). ...
A: Hey Sheila, Well the 3/4" T/G improves things quite a bit which is good. You never know where ...
|
| wonderboard or hardi-backer | 5/30/2008 |
Q: Hey Perry, I am about to lay 16"x16" ceramic tile in my kitchen and dining room area and was ...
A: Hardy Backer Board has become a popular material in recent years but I am not a fan of it. A few of ...
|
| grout | 5/30/2008 |
Q: Our grout did not get mixed right so it is discolored.Can we stain it and if so what color would ...
A: You don't mention what happened that discolored the grout or what the end result was, how it appears ...
|
| Quick-dry thinset | 5/29/2008 |
Q: the installer said call him when the extra grout I ordered came in (I wasn't sure we had enough). ...
A: Hey Sheila, Well isn't that a very "generous" offer for him to tell you he is only coming out ...
|
| 12x12 tile over1x1 inch tiles | 5/20/2008 |
Q: I am putting 12x12 inch tiles over 1x1 inch tiles in my bathroom. I was told to rough up the 1 inch ...
A: Well...yes it is the general process to follow when tiling over tile. Most 1x1 tiles are mosaic in ...
|
| uneven tile on hardi backer board | 5/19/2008 |
Q: We have a home built in 1951 that has a wooden subfloor. We are re-doing the floor ourselves and ...
A: I am not a fan of Hardy Backer Board, neither have I ever recommended the material. While many folks ...
|
| Loose tile | 5/17/2008 |
Q: Too many followups, had to ask new question. I took a tile that I pulled up and some pieces of the ...
A: Hey Sheila, Certainly if the adhesive was combed out and not covered in a timely manor the ...
|
| baseboard for marble floors | 5/17/2008 |
Q: What do contractors use as baseboard when installing 18x18 marble? Is it easier to use wood or can ...
A: I installed 18x18 honed Travertine in my kitchen/dining room for the wife a few months ago and one ...
|
| Loose tile | 5/16/2008 |
Q: We built a new house (5/8" plywood subfloors, 16" OC)last year and had experienced installer tile ...
A: Hey Sheila, Something just popped into my head as I had an experience with a friend of mine. ...
|
| Gritty | 5/15/2008 |
Q: We built a new house (5/8" plywood subfloors, 16" OC)last year and had experienced installer tile ...
A: Hey Sheila, Well...Mastic would have been a huge "no-no" and visually it is very easy to tell ...
|
| travertine installation | 5/13/2008 |
Q: I am trying to decide on new flooring for an foyer, formal living and dining room and hallway. I am ...
A: Either material will do just fine as a complete install over both the slab and the basement. It's ...
|
| installing travertine over self stained concrete | 4/30/2008 |
Q: My husband and I removed our carpet last year and decided to try self stain concrete with Lowes ...
A: Well after having gone through the process with an earlier install nothing should change as you move ...
|
| tumbled marble for a shower floor | 4/30/2008 |
Q: I am remodeling a bathroom and the lady at the tile center helped me pick a tumbled marble for my ...
A: Certainly the answer is yes and to be honest it's not even necessary to seal it unless you have ...
|
| Porcelain tile on outdoor slab in north country | 4/30/2008 |
Q: How do you recommend installing glazed (rough surface) porcelain tile on an outdoor patio concrete ...
A: Any time a home owner that resides in a climate that challenges every form of exterior material ...
|
| Gritty "crackling" sound on tile | 4/29/2008 |
Q: We built a new house (5/8" plywood subfloors, 16" OC)last year and had experienced installer tile ...
A: In the text of your question you say "He didn't put glue under backer, and he used "thinset" not ...
|
| Stone vs. Tile on radiant floor | 4/29/2008 |
Q: I have a hydronic radiant floor in a concrete slab in the basement that I am planning on covering ...
A: Well that's a pretty good sales "ploy" if I do say so myself. I would like to hear the "reasoning" ...
|
| White Thassos Marble | 4/29/2008 |
Q: I am considering doing white thassos (honed) in our den. We have 3 young girls and the messes that ...
A: A "Natural Stone" and little (messy) girls do not mix well. I would pursue a Porcelain for maximum ...
|
| fireplace/slate | 4/28/2008 |
Q: IM A TILE SETTER GETTING READY TO WORK ON A BRICK FIREPLACE.THEY HAVE TO BUILD OUT A PORTION OF THE ...
A: While mortar and mud stick well to brick when stacking there isn't the bond strength trying to bond ...
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| Tumbled marble tiles installed on drywall | 4/28/2008 |
Q: 4 years ago remodeled bath and used expensive small squares of honed tumbled marble in steam ...
A: You have a disaster just waiting to come to light. Your assembly is completely wrong to begin with. ...
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| Floor and wall tile installation | 4/27/2008 |
Q: I have laid a bit of tile before so I know enough to be dangerous! We are building our own house ...
A: Well the first thing I would do is take a 4' level and go around the floor that you are about to ...
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| grout | 4/26/2008 |
Q: OK, I hate my grout. We installed ceramic tile in 3 bathrooms and the kitchen approx 9 years ago. ...
A: Well if your close to the 10yrs of service with this floor then while the tile is still doing the ...
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| ceramic tile grout | 4/25/2008 |
Q: We remodeled our kitchen 10 years ago and had a ceramic tile floor installed. The work was done by ...
A: While I have no information to go on in regards to the use of a particular underlayment or the ...
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| Placing tile over old linoleum in our kitchen | 4/25/2008 |
Q: We recently purchased an older farmhouse and the floor in the kitchen is covered in a well-loved ...
A: Well you do have a bit of a problem here Chris. I have tempted the powers that be within this forum ...
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| Wood Over Ceramic | 4/25/2008 |
Q: When I built my home I chose ceramic tile for all the floors downstairs. I would like to know if ...
A: There is but two ways to install "real wood" over a ceramic tile floor and that is first by way of a ...
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| space between tiles on patio application | 4/24/2008 |
Q: Perry, I found your response to a recent question so incredibly helpfu. Your detailed description ...
A: I appreciate you taking a little time to do some personal research using our archive here getting ...
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| Grout Dye? | 4/23/2008 |
Q: I have a slate tile floor that is various colors. The grout is suppose to be white, but was damaged ...
A: I've been doing tile work for 30 years (this August) and I have to admit...I have never seen a Slate ...
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| Material choices for outdoor steps | 4/23/2008 |
Q: I have been planning a project and have read several of your responses regarding tiling over ...
A: There is nothing I enjoy more John than someone who invests the time to do a little ...
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| Marble Tile Installation using Ditra membrane | 4/23/2008 |
Q: I'm installing green tile over Schluter-Ditra membrane using kerabond and keralastic modifier. Will ...
A: Well...your question is either a test for me as to what my recommendation might be for a "green ...
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| Re-tiling | 4/23/2008 |
Q: my house is 12 years old,the kitchen floor is a 12x12 ceramic tile that I want to replace. In some ...
A: Certainly you can tile over tile which saves on time and of course labor and demo dust...that being ...
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| Granite Tiles on a Wood Deck | 4/23/2008 |
Q: What are the potential problems of laying granit tiles on a wood deck with a wood subfloor. Deck is ...
A: Well I know your intention is good Darlene and certainly your question is legitimate so I will give ...
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| Travertine | 4/13/2008 |
Q: We are installing travertine in our master bath, on the bathroom floor and shower walls. How much ...
A: I guess it would depend upon your comfort level installing this material. The standard grout joint ...
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| sub floor question | 4/13/2008 |
Q: I have a very stable hardwood floor that I am going to put ceramic tile over. Must I install a ...
A: I am not a fan of installing tile over a hardwood floor as you are compounding the finish height of ...
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| Caulk problems | 4/13/2008 |
Q: My bathroom was remodeled in 06 using Carrera marble tiles. After repeated applications, the caulk ...
A: I suspect that your problem is "not" your tub..(that's a new one) but the caulking used. Shame on ...
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| grouting travertine | 4/12/2008 |
Q: We've put down 18" travertine with 1/6th grout lines, and are ready to grout--I assumed with a ...
A: Well...you are on the right track and your husband is somewhere else off track. The small joints are ...
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| porcelain tile floor | 4/12/2008 |
Q: I just asked a question but probably left out some important info. the current sub floor is 3/4" ...
A: Hey Brent, Well the end game is pretty much the same as provided in my first answer to you. If ...
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| porcelain tile floor | 4/12/2008 |
Q: I just pulled up the old tile from my kitchen floor and i am going to be replacing it with porcelain ...
A: If you have "planed" off the raised portion of the thinset then you have a good base to install off ...
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| Ceramic tile in unheated garage? | 4/11/2008 |
Q: We live in Vermont - where our coldest night this year was -29 degrees. We have a large detached ...
A: The answer to your question is of course yes. No matter where you desire to install tile, whether it ...
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| color variation in grout | 4/11/2008 |
Q: We recently put down ceramic tile in two bathrooms, by a patio door and in our utility room. The ...
A: Well, there are about as many reasons for grout to discolor or the shade affected as I have fingers. ...
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| installation of travertine over concrete with excessive moisture vapor emmisions | 4/10/2008 |
Q: I am preparing to install Travertine tiles over a concrete substrate with a possible moisture ...
A: The test for moisture is simple and takes about 24 hours to do you, can source the procedure by ...
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| marble grout | 4/9/2008 |
Q: ok...where do I buy marble dust grout?
A: You can find Marble dust at your local "Plastering" supply store or where "Pool Builders" get their ...
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| marble 18" tiles | 4/9/2008 |
Q: My installer layed tile 1/8 inches apart and all I see on my carrera marble floor is white grout. He ...
A: I can't account for the reason behind why your installer set your Marble with it's current spacing. ...
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| price of 18x18 vs 12x12 ceramic tile | 4/9/2008 |
Q: I just purchased a home and the builder typical uses 12x12 tile for all the wet areas in the house. ...
A: Well...lets look at it this way. Bear in mind that a 12x12 is one square foot each...that is easy ...
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| Wood flooring over gypcrete | 4/9/2008 |
Q: I have installed a couple wood floors over wood before. However, I ran into gypcrete on the second ...
A: As soon as you discovered the Gyp-Crete substrate you were faced with two options...one being to ...
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| Tile/Flooring | 4/1/2008 |
Q: Perry: I am installing a marble saddle in a doorway that transitions to the kitchen. This is a high ...
A: If the Marble threshold is to be resting on the hardwood floor side of things then you will need to ...
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| OUTDOOR PATIO TABLE | 3/31/2008 |
Q: I am going to tile with Porcelain and glass tile a wood oudoor patio table. Used only durning the ...
A: In the nearly 9 years I've been volunteering here this is the first question ever in regards to ...
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| under granite | 3/31/2008 |
Q: I am installing a black granite 18x18 tiles on a floor. They are either half inch or they are 5/8 ...
A: Well... you have chosen to take on a significant material and size and method of install for your ...
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| Tile to carpet | 3/31/2008 |
Q: I have been helping friends with a tiling project so they can put their house up for sale. The ...
A: Did you just call me "Penny"?? That got a smile out of me. Your numerous transition issues are ...
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| adhesive backed vinyl | 3/30/2008 |
Q: can it be installed on a concrete floor of a lanai?
A: Well you sure don't give me much to go on as I don't have any idea how exposed this particular lanai ...
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| floor height | 3/30/2008 |
Q: "I had tile installed in a few rooms and now the floor is up to 2 inchs higher than the carpet in ...
A: Ok Steven, Well the head scratching continues...didn't you notice as this guy was progressing ...
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| Floor preparation for 12" Marble tiles - part 2 | 3/29/2008 |
Q: For some reason, I'm not able to follow your answer with another question, so I'm starting a new ...
A: Ok Matt, I follow what your saying. It can be a daunting thing sometimes for me to properly ...
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| Cleaning Sunroom Floor | 3/29/2008 |
Q: I read your answer on 3/12/08 subject "Ceramic Tile Finish" and wondered if the solution to cleaning ...
A: Before you employ this Marble care Professional I suggest that you get a reference from him to check ...
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| grout staining | 3/29/2008 |
Q: Perry, I recently laid tile and the grout I chose was too light. Is there a product I can use to ...
A: Todays stains are far superior to the ones of years ago. It does work but you have to understand ...
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| hanging marble | 3/29/2008 |
Q: hey I have a 4' foot x 6 inch x 3/4 inch piece of marble that I need to hang from the ceiling ...
A: All you need is polymer modified thinset (white) skim the area on the ceiling where the Marble is to ...
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| floor height | 3/28/2008 |
Q: "I had tile installed in a few rooms and now the floor is up to 2 inchs higher than the carpet in ...
A: Well...you have me scratching my head right now. When you contracted to have this work done did the ...
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| glue on hardwood floors | 3/27/2008 |
Q: carpet was glued down on hardwood floors useing allpurpose floor adhesive. i removed the carpet how ...
A: The best solvent to try to get up the old adhesive is Mineral Spirits and some rags. You may have ...
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| Floor preparation for 12" marble tiles | 3/27/2008 |
Q: I am remodeling my kitchen in a 100 year old building. Not only is the floor not even close to ...
A: Before you move in the direction of surface corrections that are currently visible from above I ...
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| Porcelain tiles | 3/26/2008 |
Q: I just built a new house and i want to put porcelain tiles on all my covered sundecks. our winters ...
A: While Porcelain can withstand (easily) the extreme temperature depths you have the suspect ...
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| Travertine Polished Finished Floor | 3/26/2008 |
Q: The tiler has been out a couple of times now (as the first time they laid the floor the travertine ...
A: While is see by what you are telling me there is questionable issues you haven't given me much ...
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| Herringbone onyx tile | 3/26/2008 |
Q: I chose a very expensive herringbone patterned tile in shades of cream and brown for a guest bath ...
A: I am having suspicious feelings in regards to your installer as he should have a solution for the ...
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| Tile help | 3/26/2008 |
Q: We have replaced our external patio door to a sliding door however the carpenter managed to break ...
A: I am sorry that this has happened to you and your home. It is incredible to me sometimes that ...
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| Porcelain tile and concrete preparation | 3/26/2008 |
Q: Perry, I pulled up old linoleum and mastic is still on the floor. I have been advised to remove ...
A: If you wish to further the removal of the old adhesive the Mineral Spirits is the best way to go. ...
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| Sealed Shower Grout Darkening When Wet | 3/16/2008 |
Q: We just spent 6 months working on our dream shower, and it is a real beauty. The floor is 5.5'x6', ...
A: Well I suspect that the problem lay with the sealer. There is always going to be a challenge sealing ...
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| tapeing hardibacker seems | 3/15/2008 |
Q: my hardibacker is set and screwed in thin set on the kitchen floor can i tape the joints as i put ...
A: Well I have to make a declaration right off that I do not use Hardy Backer board. I am not a fan of ...
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| recoloring ceramic tiles | 3/15/2008 |
Q: i was just wondering if it is possible to recolor ceramic floor tiles.I have white floor tiles and ...
A: Sorry Wendy...but no you can't recolor or paint a Ceramic tile. The material is basically a "sealed" ...
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| travertine installation | 3/15/2008 |
Q: I'm planning to install travertine tiles in my kitchen floor. Hope you can give me advice on what I ...
A: While I appreciate the brevity of your question it would require a significant investment of time ...
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| Grout selection | 3/14/2008 |
Q: First time placing tile in a bathroom, I started with the tub surround. I used 6-1/2" tiles, some ...
A: Though 1/8" joints is the threshold for what a "non" sanded grout can handle, a sanded grout will ...
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| Black grout with white haze in spots | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I have a black and white tile floor in my recreation room. The tile has been down for quite a few ...
A: I suspect that "hard water" is affecting your grout as the white spots are most likely Mineral ...
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| marble flooring | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I want to install 6-inch square marble tiles (.375" thick) on my bathroom floor. The floor has small ...
A: The subfloor joist assembly could only be better were the joists 2x12's, in leu of that what you ...
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| Quarry tile removal | 3/14/2008 |
Q: My wife wants to change our 30 year old 4"x8" quarry tile floor (approx 180 sq ft.) which goes into ...
A: What your going to need is a "chipping hammer" which is the little brother to the "Jack hammer". It ...
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| tiling over linoleum | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I had ceramic tile installed professionally and the cement backerboard was placed on top of a ...
A: Well...the answer is yes and no...hows that for an answer? Honestly Barb, the lino should be removed ...
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| tile insallation quality | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I hired a licensed tile installer and am questioning if the quality is up to standards. It seems ...
A: I always have to sit and take a deep breath when I get a question like this Beth, and I get them ...
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| ceramic tile finish | 3/12/2008 |
Q: we installed ceramic tile in a newly built condo. I am doing the final clean myself. After scrubbing ...
A: Within a forum like this what is obvious to you isn't so obvious to me. You see my entire thought ...
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| tile subfloor | 3/11/2008 |
Q: I am having 13x13 porcelain tiles installed in my kitchen 11'X14'and am looking to prep the subfloor ...
A: Having a single layer of 5/8" plywood is an unusual dimension as a starter course unless of course ...
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| Refinishing vintage tile. | 3/11/2008 |
Q: i am remodeling my bathroom, and upon taking up the old ceramic floor, I found the original 1920's ...
A: What we did in the past was to use a mixture of Muriatic acid and water (4 parts water to 1 part ...
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| Kitchen flooring - slate vs. ceramic / porcelain tile | 3/11/2008 |
Q: We are considering options for redoing our kitchen floor. Large eatin kitchen partially over a ...
A: Slate is a very good option for a durable flooring but it will mar and or scratch from a large dog. ...
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| Ceamic Tile Floor | 3/11/2008 |
Q: I am moving to a new home where the ceramic tile was not maintained all that well. The grout is ...
A: Well depending upon which means the contractor uses to "re"grout the joints you may wish to consider ...
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| Tiling an outdoor deck | 2/26/2008 |
Q: I would like to tile my outdoor wood deck. I plan on adding more supports on the truss under the ...
A: All of the upper ingredients that you plan to employ sounds fine. I suggest that you use P/T plywood ...
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| Durarock install without thinset | 2/26/2008 |
Q: I have Advantech flooring that is pretty level, save for a couple joints that I will sand down. A ...
A: Hey David, If you are employing the thinset bonding method for the Durock then you will need to ...
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| Travertine Over Existing Tile? | 2/26/2008 |
Q: I want to install 18" x 18" travertine tile in my kitchen. I have heard that it is possible to tile ...
A: You can indeed install "tile over tile", and for some unexplained reason the space you want to cover ...
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| grout cracking | 2/26/2008 |
Q: layed ceramic tile in kitchen over a sub-floor already there. did this at the lakehouse and no ...
A: I can appreciate folks wanting to be brief with their question but your's doesn't give me much to go ...
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| Kitchen Floor | 2/25/2008 |
Q: Do you have any experience or opinions about Edge GTL- Tile Laminate system. It is durable? ...
A: I have seen this product or at least some thing like it at my local Home Improvement Center and have ...
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| flooring type -marble or marbonite | 2/25/2008 |
Q: we are currently building our house in Chennai, India. we are very confused about the choice for the ...
A: I did answer a questioner a few years ago who asked a similar question which you can still source ...
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| Leveling a basement floor with asphalt tile prior to installing a floating engineered hardwood floor | 2/25/2008 |
Q: We are moving into a house built in 1964 with a 3 room basement that was installed with ugly ...
A: Good questions all, and shows that you have done some homework for yourself so that I don't have to, ...
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| scarified | 2/24/2008 |
Q: Did the 5 minute test with water. It did not soak in. So I need to scarified the floor. What does ...
A: Hey Neal, Maybe you asked another "expert" here at the site in regards to this test but I don't ...
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| floor prep. for tile installation | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I took up the vinyl flooring and found a non-porous vinyl looking floor leveler had been used. Do I ...
A: The fewer layers of material that are between the original slab and the intended tile layer the ...
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| Durarock install without thinset | 2/22/2008 |
Q: I have Advantech flooring that is pretty level, save for a couple joints that I will sand down. A ...
A: Your "well respected guy" is correct. The only caveat' I will suggest is not to use "nails" but to ...
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| Marble on Bath Floor without Grout | 2/21/2008 |
Q: Can I install a light colored marble tile on my bath floor or tub surround not using grout. If so ...
A: The answer to your question is no as even if the tiles were installed "butt" joint there is still ...
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| mortars/ adhesives and bonds | 2/21/2008 |
Q: I have 2 separate situations that I will soon be encountering that I would like help/ advice on: One ...
A: I am glad that you will be having some help with this particular kind of install as this material ...
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| Tile Patio Moisture Problem | 2/21/2008 |
Q: About 10 years ago I had a glazed clay tile installed on my screened-in patio. The slab was in good ...
A: I have some experience with high humidity and the Gulf Coast of Florida. The problem always seemed ...
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| Green onyx 12x12 tiles with webbing on the back? | 2/21/2008 |
Q: I'm having 12x12 green Onyx tiles installed in a small powderoom. I'm going crazy as everyone ...
A: Hey Jason, If you like how the Onyx appears with the darker shading then by all means pursue ...
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| marble Tile | 2/20/2008 |
Q: We purchased marble tile for out bathroom floor and shower. We were told to pre seal each tile with ...
A: Hey John...I think this is a double question as it sure looks like the first one you asked. But let ...
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| backing for travertine | 2/20/2008 |
Q: I have enjoyed combing through your posts. Hey,I've got the whole three step sealing process ...
A: Hey Cashel, With the joists being installed @24" O/C that is a very weak structure indeed. It ...
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| backing for travertine | 2/19/2008 |
Q: I have enjoyed combing through your posts. Hey,I've got the whole three step sealing process ...
A: Of all the questions I get yours is the kind I enjoy most. You have invested your own time and made ...
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| Green onyx 12x12 tiles with webbing on the back? | 2/19/2008 |
Q: I'm having 12x12 green Onyx tiles installed in a small powderoom. I'm going crazy as everyone ...
A: I have to say that you must be a pretty savvy computer guy because in the 8+ years and overall 3000+ ...
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| flooring for 3 season porch | 2/18/2008 |
Q: We are building a 3 season porch on an existing deck in New England (insulated but not heated) and ...
A: Typical installs of a floating laminate floor will be affected by extreme climate changes in ...
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| ceramic tiles | 2/17/2008 |
Q: can u lay ceramic tiles on pitchmastic floors after it has been sealed
A: I have waited for two days to receive a return reply to my direct inquirery to the manufacturer of ...
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| De-hazing tile | 2/17/2008 |
Q: How do you make an at-home solution to de-haze ceramic tile? Is it 50% vinegar and 50% water?
A: Well that is one way to formulate a cleaner but it would be a very weak potion to clean away a grout ...
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| Porclain Tile | 2/17/2008 |
Q: We are going to install 12" sq tile in the kitchen. I have a 10 year old dishwasher. I was ...
A: There are a couple things to consider when tiling a kitchen floor that may have cabinet or counter ...
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| grout colorant | 2/14/2008 |
Q: im planning on coloring my grout due to stains that will not come out. im going to use "pollyblend" ...
A: By far I get more questions about grout that anything else it seems. Staining your grout is really ...
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| Thinset options | 2/14/2008 |
Q: I installed hardiboard and now ready for 12x12 floor tile. I prefer the premix thinset/adhesive but ...
A: Well you are on the right track because the premix thinset is a disaster waiting to happen, it is a ...
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| subfloor for porcelain tile install | 2/13/2008 |
Q: I have done days and days of research on installing 12x12 porcelain tile in my kitchen, only to ...
A: I am grateful for your detailed missive as it tells me you have done a thorough job in considering ...
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| Unfilled Travertine Tile Install - Versailles Pattern | 2/12/2008 |
Q: Perry, I am installing unfilled travertine floor tile on a conrete slab in my ...
A: I have a second "son" who's name is Eric Smith so I will give extra care to you because of him... ...
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| tiling a screened in porch | 2/12/2008 |
Q: I have a screened in porch. It has a floor similar to deck flooring. The underneath of the flooring ...
A: Without additional information I can't confidently advise you and your desire with your closed in ...
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| Floor Leveling | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I need to bring abouthalf of a bathroom floor up 1/2 inch. Want to use a self leveling compound over ...
A: With the cement board having a greater strength and psi, I would install it "first". Also it is ...
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| Installing Ceramic Tile | 2/9/2008 |
Q: We are replacing our parquet floor with ceramic tile. We will be laying the ceramic over a concrete ...
A: The black adhesive left behind is the old "tar" based cut back glue. It is usually a thin layer of ...
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| Tile | 2/8/2008 |
Q: "Hi Perry, I am installing tile for the first time and all is going well so far but I do have two ...
A: Well...there isn't much to be done with a centered post but to split the tile at the center of the ...
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| Loose Ceramic Tiles | 1/25/2008 |
Q: We have an 8 year old home in Henderson, Nevada. I have noticed in the past few years that a large ...
A: If I were to speculate, then I would first consider the heat factor as something that may have ...
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| repairing a cracked slab for tile placement | 1/25/2008 |
Q: removed old tiles from laundry room to place ceramic tiles down but noticed a linear crack in slab ...
A: Most laundry rooms are not too big so for your scenario I would recommend that you use a product ...
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| radiant heating system | 1/25/2008 |
Q: I am building a dog kennel, and I would like to put something in the floor to help cool it in the ...
A: My Company of choice is Radiantec. They've been around for a while and are a good reputable Company. ...
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| retile entire house! | 1/25/2008 |
Q: Perry , can you reccomend a good installer and a tile store in Spring Hill Florida, area? Thank you, ...
A: It just so happens that I know a guy who lives in Weeki Wachee Florida that is a bit farther North ...
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| floor leveling | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I bought laminate flooring and was notified that my space (approx. 300 square feet) required ...
A: Something that is "level" is different than something that is "flat". You can drive down a flat road ...
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| Installing porcelin tile over existing epoxy floor | 1/24/2008 |
Q: Perry, I am currently involved in a renovation project on a local college campus. The project ...
A: When it comes to chemicals that affect epoxy coatings the list is quite short indeed and sometimes ...
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| tile installation | 1/24/2008 |
Q: my tile is raised in many spots. the vacuum bumps over some of them and the swifter just comes to a ...
A: Well another tile contractor who blames the "Tile" for the problems. A 1/16" of an inch is roughly 2 ...
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| Flooring | 1/24/2008 |
Q: I am from bangalore, India. Right now I have laid marble for my entire house. I would like to put ...
A: The answer to your question is, yes it is feasible. My question is why do you want to do this?? Has ...
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| Leveling floor in a sunroom | 1/24/2008 |
Q: We have nearly the same issue in that a 12x24 sunroom has been built ontop of an outdoor concrete ...
A: Well...2" is quite a lot of fall to make up for even over 12'. Yvonne's scenario was about half of ...
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| Grout ? | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I had my bathroom tile recently done. The contractor spaced the tiles 1/4" or more, used unsanded ...
A: I had to read your question a couple times to take it all in and make sure I was reading it right. ...
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| floors | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I'm having trouble measuring a straight line on my floor. The area is an entranceway, hallway, ...
A: You have to make a decision first and that is where you plan to start the install. Visually, at the ...
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| Installing traventine and wood floor mix in grid | 1/22/2008 |
Q: would you recommend the use of urethane adhesive that will bond engineered wood strip floors to ...
A: There is a polyurethane adhesive produced by a Company named Sika Corporation that makes many ...
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| timing on taping seams of backerboard | 1/13/2008 |
Q: Do we need to wait to mortar and tape the seams of 1/4 hardibacker, or do we do it right after ...
A: There isn't a strict criteria with the taping stage of your install. You can tape all the joints ...
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| Floor prep for ceramic tile | 1/13/2008 |
Q: Perry, My floor is on 2X10 16" OC. 1/2" plywood and 5/8 particle board. The longest span is about ...
A: To be honest Steve if you do what you say your going to do with this subfloor assembly your assembly ...
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| marble floor tile | 1/13/2008 |
Q: I hire a contractor to install marble tile on my kitchen floor. There are a lot of cracking lines on ...
A: If you are not "completely satisfied" then no one should get paid. Marble flooring is very costly ...
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| woodfloor macthing | 1/13/2008 |
Q: i was just given some wood flooring ang my question in wood dark wood blend with a natural wood ...
A: You are walking the razor's edge my friend, and you are trying to get me in there with you. When you ...
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| Levelling floor where 2 uneven surfaces meet | 1/13/2008 |
Q: We are in the middle of framing our home and just finished the lower level with floor joists and ...
A: Well it appears that one or the other will need to be done. I am not a fan of having to cut studs ...
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| travartine floor | 1/12/2008 |
Q: What brand or type of sealer should be used on a new installation of travertine on a bathroom floor? ...
A: There are two schools of thought typically with sealing a Natural Stone...Travertine being one of ...
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| tile flooring | 1/12/2008 |
Q: I want to tile my powder room floor. What is the recommended size tile for a small room that ...
A: As a tile man I am not a fan of grout. It is a necessary evil as part of the assembly process but ...
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| tiling an L-shaped room | 1/11/2008 |
Q: I want install ceramic tile on a diagonal in my master bathroom. The problem I am having is trying ...
A: Sorry this tardy as I am in the middle of a move across State and computer access is spotty... ...
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| Floor tile strengh and color variation rating | 1/11/2008 |
Q: I am in the process of choosing a tile floor for my kitchen. I need something virtually ...
A: Sorry this is tardy as I am in the middle of a move across State and computer access is spotty... ...
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| Removal ceramic tile and prep floor for a wood laminate floor. | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I have a kitchen floor with a ceramic floor that I need to remove and I'm going to install a wool ...
A: Sorry this is tardy as I am in the middle of moving across State and access to a computer is ...
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| Tiling on raised foundation in a mfr'd home | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I'm remodeling my bathroom. The house foundation/joists look structurally sound. I have heard that ...
A: Sorry my reply is tardy as I am in the middle of moving across the State and computer access is ...
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| Marble or Tiles which is best for flooring? | 1/9/2008 |
Q: we have just renoved our house and planning to renove the flooring, but in dilemma on whether to go ...
A: When you use the word "Tiles" flooring you are really just describing a "square" shape or a ...
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| dirty grout on marble floor | 1/9/2008 |
Q: hope you can help me. I have a polished marble basket weave floor with white grouting, what is the ...
A: Sorry this is a bit tardy as I am in the middle of moving to a new venue and having access to a ...
|
| leveling a sagging wood floor | 1/8/2008 |
Q: We have wood floors in our bedroom, but we just opened up a crawl space and put down a subfloor. The ...
A: Sorry this is a bit tardy as I am in the middle of a change in venue and access to a computer is ...
|
| installing backer board | 1/8/2008 |
Q: Remodelling bathroom. Installed new tub. Walls are not square therefore there is a gap between the ...
A: Sorry this is a bit tardy as I am in the middle of a change in venue and access to a computer has ...
|
| slate tile / carpet transistion | 12/22/2007 |
Q: I'm thinking through a diy project that wil involve laying slate tiles. I am planning to lay a ...
A: There are reducer strips that can help you to transition down to the carpet. Typically you would ...
|
| Uneven grout drying after 2 weeks - HELP | 12/20/2007 |
Q: I am trying to figure out what went wrong. I had someone come about 2 weeks ago to regrout my master ...
A: I hate this problem because it always seems to happen when a "re"grout is attempted. What often ...
|
| limestone tiles | 12/20/2007 |
Q: I'm thinking of installing limestone tiles in my kitchen , laundry room , powder room , and hallway ...
A: My friend, all you need do is take a leisurely trip through Europe and you clearly see whether ...
|
| Travertine over Terrazzo | 12/20/2007 |
Q: I am about to tile most of my Florida home with a medium colored 18"x18" honed Travertine. This will ...
A: I just completed installing 350+ sq ft. of honed Travertine in my own home using 1/16" joints and ...
|
| grout | 12/20/2007 |
Q: Good evening Perry, We are "regrouting" our tile floor. We are using sanded grout from Home depot. ...
A: There is a certain criteria that I consider when sealing "grout" and not necessarily tile ok? ...
|
| Cracks in recently installed ceramic tiles | 12/19/2007 |
Q: We had 12x12" ceramic tile istalled in our small (5x7' foyer). Subfloor was plywood, to which a ...
A: There is a degree of obligation on the part of the installer to anticipate and look for potential ...
|
| tile floor problems | 12/19/2007 |
Q: I have 18" slate-like tiles on the slab, entire downstairs, in place for about 8 yrs. with no ...
A: Let me tell you what happened to me once years ago while working in the Galleria Mall in Houston ...
|
| Self adhesive tile on a ceramic tile floor | 12/19/2007 |
Q: How can I get vinyl self adhesive floor tiles to stick to an existing ceramic tile floor?
A: Depending on what kind of finish the Ceramic tiles have will largely affect the success of a self ...
|
| Hardwood/ Laminate | 12/18/2007 |
Q: I am about to put new flooring in my 140 seat restaurant. I am anticipating Carpet for the entry way ...
A: Depending upon what particular niche you are trying to appeal to more often than not determines the ...
|
| ceramic tiles just taken up | 12/18/2007 |
Q: we are remodeling. Putting new tile in entrance way. House was built in 1976. Original ceramic ...
A: Sit down, take a deep breath and relax. There is little to no danger with a minor exposure providing ...
|
| Tile in Bathromm | 12/17/2007 |
Q: Is there someway to keep tile from being so cold in a bathroom? I have electric central heat. And am ...
A: Hey Judy, The system is checked several times during the install and again when the install is ...
|
| cracks in ceramic tile flooring | 12/17/2007 |
Q: I have several cracked ceramic tiles on my kitchen floor. I purchased the home about 14 months ago ...
A: If a tile is "showing" a crack in the surface then you can be assured that the crack is through and ...
|
| ceramic tile | 12/16/2007 |
Q: This was submitted and tried to answer his questions, but he was maxed out. Subject thinset ...
A: Hey Kathryn, Ok...a little more information is helpful. It possibly makes a bit of sense ...
|
| Polished or matt porcelain tiles for kitchen? | 12/16/2007 |
Q: which porcelain tiles would you recommend for kitchen? Polished ot matt?
A: Well...it depends I guess on what you desire "visually" for your home. If you have little children ...
|
| ceramic tile | 12/16/2007 |
Q: This was submitted and tried to answer his questions, but he was maxed out. Subject thinset ...
A: I'll stand in for Jim with this quandary you have. You have two different situations that have ...
|
| Tile in Bathromm | 12/16/2007 |
Q: Is there someway to keep tile from being so cold in a bathroom? I have electric central heat. And am ...
A: It's been the bane of tile installs North of the Florida border..feels great in the Summer but ...
|
| floor sealing | 12/10/2007 |
Q: Since the installation of the floors will be completed on December 14th, what preparatory equipment ...
A: Hey Rosa, GranQuartz is indeed the name of the Company that produces the Sealer. The 357E is a ...
|
| floor sealing | 12/8/2007 |
Q: Since the installation of the floors will be completed on December 14th, what preparatory equipment ...
A: Hey Rosa, I will give you the list of things I use and do preparing for this process. First the ...
|
| ruined marble floor | 12/8/2007 |
Q: I have 1200 square feet of pale pink marble on most of my lower floor. Many walls were removed so ...
A: Gale, A few years ago Allexperts was bought out by another Company called About.com. There used ...
|
| Eng. Hardwood Floor installation | 12/8/2007 |
Q: Can you float an Engineered hardwood floor or do you have to glue it down? Is there an advantage to ...
A: Klaus, There isn't an advantage to either method whether it be glued or it float. It is a ...
|
| Eng. Hardwood Floor installation | 12/7/2007 |
Q: Can you float an Engineered hardwood floor or do you have to glue it down? Is there an advantage to ...
A: That question is better asked or researched through the Manufacturer of the product you are ...
|
| tile over concrete | 12/7/2007 |
Q: I hope you can help. We are trying to tile over concrete. We have layed and glued a woos sub floor ...
A: Well your only half way there when it comes to the attachment process with your desire to cover your ...
|
| ruined marble floor | 12/7/2007 |
Q: I have 1200 square feet of pale pink marble on most of my lower floor. Many walls were removed so ...
A: I will answer your two questions first before I move any further...ok? First...the answer is ...
|
| marbonite | 12/6/2007 |
Q: no beating around the bush... what is marbonite..? is it product for the house or is it used widely ...
A: Seems to me I answered another question in regards to Marbonite a while ago...if you just type ...
|
| Porcelain tile (matte finish) | 12/5/2007 |
Q: We had porcelain tile installed throughout our home about about five months ago. It has a matte ...
A: Porcelain is considered in our Industry to be an "impervious" material...nothing much can affect the ...
|
| what should i tell the contractor to do on my new marble floor they are going to install it? | 12/5/2007 |
Q: do i have to ask them to seal it or leave it the way it is? they told me if i want to use the ...
A: Hey Rosa, I would be happy to walk you through the process as it isn't "Rocket Science"....it's ...
|
| floor grout | 12/4/2007 |
Q: I tiled my kitchen floor 2 years ago. The grout in the middle of the floor is dark grey and the rest ...
A: Well...to be honest I would guess that it's a "dirt" problem. This is a very common scenario ...
|
| Recommendation for Thinset | 12/4/2007 |
Q: Perry, Hopefully a very quick question. Are all thinsets created equal, or are some better ...
A: No problem Jerry...the standard bag of thinset is going to be a 50#lb bag. You may get more sq. ...
|
| Recommendation for Thinset | 12/4/2007 |
Q: Perry, Hopefully a very quick question. Are all thinsets created equal, or are some better ...
A: Hey Jerry, Typically I wait till the next day before I do any extensive foot traffic on the ...
|
| Recommendation for Thinset | 12/4/2007 |
Q: Perry, Hopefully a very quick question. Are all thinsets created equal, or are some better ...
A: The answer is yes and of course no...all thinsets have to be able to pass a "standard" level of ...
|
| what should i tell the contractor to do on my new marble floor they are going to install it? | 12/4/2007 |
Q: do i have to ask them to seal it or leave it the way it is? they told me if i want to use the ...
A: You don't give me much information to go on in regards to your floor ie: what kind of Stone it ...
|
| Travertine marble problem | 12/2/2007 |
Q: Last year I removed a wall that stood on the edge of the original concrete slab under my home ...
A: Well something had to have moved that's for sure. I suspect that a minor shift between the two slabs ...
|
| Mud Work Price | 11/30/2007 |
Q: I have a floor that is out of level and would like someone to do a mud job. The floor is 120 sq. ...
A: A good rule of thumb is typically the labor for a general thinset install times two. In some regions ...
|
| Multiple Substrates on Different Levels | 11/30/2007 |
Q: Welcome back from vacation! Hope you had an enjoyable time. I’ve read what seems to be a ...
A: Hey Jerry, To be honest there I "did" mean aggregate cement..only there are multiple psi levels ...
|
| Bubbles in grout | 11/29/2007 |
Q: I just had flooring in my whole house replaced and I have a question about the tile work. There are ...
A: Hey Megan, If it is a simple "pin hole" then just a small amount of grout is "pushed" into the ...
|
| what type of thin set to use | 11/29/2007 |
Q: Perry I am ready to install shower floor and shower wall tiles.The shower floor tiles are 2 in.tiles ...
A: Hey Dan, Install the floor tile first so that you can stack off the floor to create a "cascade" ...
|
| kitchen backsplash installation / wall prep | 11/29/2007 |
Q: I would like to install a glass tile backsplash in my kitchen (tiling over drywall). In one area, ...
A: Whenever I encounter an undulating substrate sometimes the easiest way to correct the problem is to ...
|
| Subfloor removal | 11/29/2007 |
Q: What is the name of a circular saw that can cut the subfloor flush to the wall and or cabinets? I ...
A: While I'm no tool guru I haven't seen a circular saw that can cut tight to a wall or ...
|
| what type of thin set to use | 11/28/2007 |
Q: Perry I am ready to install shower floor and shower wall tiles.The shower floor tiles are 2 in.tiles ...
A: I appreciate you deciding to use thinset for your install no matter it be a Polymer added one or ...
|
| Tile | 11/28/2007 |
Q: I am finishing my basement and plan laying down tile on the concrete floor. I have done various ...
A: Well...I could write a very long response to such a basic request but here are a couple things to ...
|
| tile market | 11/28/2007 |
Q: What can I use to mark a straight line on ceramic tile before running it thru my wet saw (free hand ...
A: I've done a couple different things one is to use a black sharpie to mark both ends of the cut and ...
|
| onyx tile | 11/27/2007 |
Q: I am looking for info on putting down onyx tile,eg what type of adhesive and grout. Especially ...
A: It sounds like you are considering a Mosaic application which is (believe it or not) a more ...
|
| Bubbles in grout | 11/27/2007 |
Q: I just had flooring in my whole house replaced and I have a question about the tile work. There are ...
A: The best tile install can be ruined by a lousy grout job as this has long been a bug-a-boo for ...
|
| Multiple Substrates on Different Levels | 11/27/2007 |
Q: Welcome back from vacation! Hope you had an enjoyable time. I’ve read what seems to be a ...
A: Man...I had hoped that after a few days off installing a new Travertine floor in my own home that I ...
|
| steam shower ceiling slope | 11/11/2007 |
Q: We are remodeling our master bath. My contractor and I are noting that my Steammist installation ...
A: Boy that would be one heck of a slope according to those instructions. Sounds to me like "overkill" ...
|
| Saltillo Tile Repair | 11/11/2007 |
Q: I have some tiles that have bubbles that have breached the surface, leaving a crater. How are these ...
A: The bubbles you are referring to happen during the time the tiles are laid outside in the Sun and ...
|
| Marble tile over porcelain tile? | 11/10/2007 |
Q: Is it OK to lay thin marble tile over existing porcelain ("Rialto") tile in a bathroom tub ...
A: Of all the materials that you can install tile "over the top of" Porcelain is the worst of the ...
|
| sanded grout used in wrong area | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I just had a back splash put in my kitchen. The contractor used 2x4 travertine subway tiles and put ...
A: Hey Lynda, Well the Contractor is not being sincere with you...period. I typically like to give ...
|
| sanded grout used in wrong area | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I just had a back splash put in my kitchen. The contractor used 2x4 travertine subway tiles and put ...
A: Well at this point there isn't much remedy to be implemented. What you can do is purchase a bag of ...
|
| Tackless strip tacks, | 11/6/2007 |
Q: I just had new carpeting installed in my living room and den. I also have some tiles in front of the ...
A: Boy do I know what that feels like. I can't tell you how many times I have "kneeled down" right onto ...
|
| sub floor | 11/5/2007 |
Q: Our house is in central texas. It's a single story built on-grade, over a concrete slab. The ...
A: What you are seeing is, or in your case "was", a mud job. When the previous owner added on this ...
|
| floor prep for ceramic tile | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I have ripped up old vinyl to expose 100 yr old pine flooring...have decided to tile a sunroom ...
A: In the 29 years I've been in this Industry I have never used luan for any underlayment scenario. ...
|
| concrete floor prep for ceramic tile | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I am on a concrete slab and looking at installing 12x12 ceramic tiles on the slab. When I pulled up ...
A: Mineral Spirits always works well on adhesive used for vinyl tile installs and it should work for ...
|
| mold in caulk | 11/4/2007 |
Q: My husband wipes the shower down,but then hangs the wet towel over the shower door. Then he wonders ...
A: While it appears to be contradictory the damp towel will not emit enough humidity to effect or ...
|
| Ceramic tile installation with cracked floor | 11/4/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are installing a tile floor over our concrete slab basement floor. There are ...
A: Hey Bethany, Well...the Ditra may "seem" a bit pricey but it is very good insurance against a ...
|
| Best layout for 19x19 Tile in 5x7 bathroom | 11/4/2007 |
Q: What would you recommend as best layout for 19x19 tiles in a 5x7 bathroom? I was thinking of using ...
A: I like the large format and I think you will be very satisfied once it's complete and you see how ...
|
| taking care of marble tile | 11/3/2007 |
Q: Please help! My husband gets bad at the family for not wiping down the marble tiles in our shower ...
A: While I have no specific idea what this person means by "resurfacing" the Stone, what I suspect they ...
|
| Concrete sealer removal | 11/1/2007 |
Q: I have a 600sqft are of exterior concrete with a C&H silicone acrylic concrete sealer applied ...
A: While I'm definitely not a Chemist any application that has Silicone as it's base is a long term ...
|
| sanded or unsanded grout polished marble | 11/1/2007 |
Q: We laid some lansdale carrara high polished marble on our bathroom floor last Wednesday. The store ...
A: Well what you need to do is to very carefully take a razor knife and cut down into the grout to cut ...
|
| sandy concrete | 10/30/2007 |
Q: We are fixing to have carpet installed on a very sandy concrete-we advised at the home imp.store to ...
A: Ok Mary...I think I understand your dilemma. It sounds like the topping of the slab has deteriorated ...
|
| non-skid porcelain tile for porch | 10/30/2007 |
Q: We want to replace the fairly slippery when wet ceramic tile on our back porch (that is between the ...
A: Hey Sara, Well there are a number of Companies that produce a Commercial slip resistant ...
|
| 18" Ceramic Tile Flooring Has a Huge Air Pocket | 10/29/2007 |
Q: Any idea why all of a sudden my tile has a "hill" running about 3-5 feet? The home was built about ...
A: What I suspect has happened is that the area that you are noticing has separated or broke bond with ...
|
| Quality of Vtrified Tiles | 10/29/2007 |
Q: How to make out the quality of a vitrified tile? Is it depends upon the thickness, shining or ...
A: Well for me Raj, it's like comparing apples to oranges. Your currency (the rupee) conversion to ...
|
| Ceramic tile deck floor | 10/28/2007 |
Q: My daughter-in-law and son are building a new house. They are having a screened porch(2nd floor ...
A: Hey Curtis, Pretty much any decent "construction adhesive" will do for aiding the screws in ...
|
| laying Vitirified tiles over Mosaic flooring | 10/28/2007 |
Q: I am planning to redo my house flooring by laying vitirified tiles over existing Mosaic flooring. ...
A: Making the conversion from Metric to American your 10mm is about 3/8" for us which is a fairly ...
|
| installing ceramic floor tile | 10/27/2007 |
Q: We are remodeling our kitchen and are planning on installing ceramic tile. Right now we have vinyl ...
A: The finish height of your floor is slowly but surely getting higher and higher. Each layer of rise ...
|
| sandy concrete | 10/27/2007 |
Q: We are fixing to have carpet installed on a very sandy concrete-we advised at the home imp.store to ...
A: To be honest with you Mary..if you are installing carpet over your slab you could have just swept or ...
|
| non-skid porcelain tile for porch | 10/27/2007 |
Q: We want to replace the fairly slippery when wet ceramic tile on our back porch (that is between the ...
A: Well...to be honest Sara if you are entertaining the idea of a Porcelain tile you will do just fine ...
|
| epoxy grout | 10/27/2007 |
Q: We've have had to replace our shower in our master bedroom twice. First contractor left shower ...
A: I am truly sorry for the struggles you have faced with your shower woes, in particular one that is ...
|
| Ceramic tile deck floor | 10/27/2007 |
Q: My daughter-in-law and son are building a new house. They are having a screened porch(2nd floor ...
A: I appreciate you as a Father looking out for the interests of your kids with a very expensive and ...
|
| Rectified Porcelain | 10/26/2007 |
Q: Perry, I read you answer to a guy in FL about the grout line he expected but did not get. I knew ...
A: Well it's nice work if you can get it..."it" being getting to bill for a mud set install. It is a ...
|
| Shower Vapor Barriers | 10/26/2007 |
Q: I am considering using WEDI backboard for a steam shower. For steam showers, WEDI recommends rolling ...
A: Here in the "States" we install large format tiles all the time and typically over a "standard ...
|
| Ceramic tile installation with cracked floor | 10/25/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are installing a tile floor over our concrete slab basement floor. There are ...
A: When it comes to spanning a problematic concrete slab there isn't a product much better than "Ditra" ...
|
| Honed Thassos Marble Absorbing Grout | 10/25/2007 |
Q: I am using honed thassos mosaic tiles on the walls of my bathroom and they are absorbing the grout i ...
A: Many Sealers are not ideally suited for Natural Stone application, they may say on the container ...
|
| Moisture seepage/cement slab | 10/25/2007 |
Q: My mother's house is over 50 years old and has a concrete slab floor/foundation. The concrete is ...
A: Hey Marie, If you wanted to roll a coat of "block sealer"/cement sealer" you can do so to ...
|
| Grout on Slate Tile | 10/24/2007 |
Q: I just put in a Slate floor in my bathroom and put the grout in last night. This is my first time ...
A: One good thing thats in your court is that Slate is a very forgiving material. I learned long ago to ...
|
| weight difference | 10/23/2007 |
Q: can you tell me the weight difference between gypcrete and dry pack?
A: Gyp-crete is a Trade name rather than the specific product. Gypsum concrete is more a liquid slurry ...
|
| Cracked travertine inside/outside | 10/22/2007 |
Q: Please advise me on the proper steps I now need to do to repair new travertine that has cracked t/o ...
A: Normally I answer the questions I receive right away due to their average or mundane degree of ...
|
| detail about self-leveling subfloor compoun | 10/22/2007 |
Q: We are thinking about installing tile floors in our basement gameroom. However, the cement floor is ...
A: This is a great question and I like your attention to detail. The primer is a necessary step to ...
|
| Moisture seepage/cement slab | 10/21/2007 |
Q: My mother's house is over 50 years old and has a concrete slab floor/foundation. The concrete is ...
A: Years ago I had a customer with a similar problem. Their solution was the same as yours. The parquet ...
|
| slate over concrete: exterior in cold weather | 10/21/2007 |
Q: I have poured a concrete pad for an outside patio and plan on installing slate tile over it. Home ...
A: Standard thinset will function just fine in a freezing climate, and a Latex additive based thinset ...
|
| Granite | 10/21/2007 |
Q: Is there any way to smooth the end of a granite tile after it's been cut by a diamond blade? Thank ...
A: Hey Anna, Sorry Anna...there isn't any kind of sandpaper made that can do what you need done ...
|
| Granite | 10/20/2007 |
Q: Is there any way to smooth the end of a granite tile after it's been cut by a diamond blade? Thank ...
A: Most tile setters that frequently do Granite and Marble installs know how to "polish" the edges of ...
|
| travertine tile installation | 10/20/2007 |
Q: plan to install 18X18 travertine as kitchen backsplash over existing sheetrock. Have some ...
A: Hey Ray, That's what I'm saying...you see if you were tiling a "floor" then the conventional ...
|
| travertine tile installation | 10/19/2007 |
Q: plan to install 18X18 travertine as kitchen backsplash over existing sheetrock. Have some ...
A: An 18" tile should do nicely as most countertop to bottom of the cabinet heights are right at 18" ...
|
| PET vs nylon carpet | 10/18/2007 |
Q: Please compare the two with regards to durability, price, staining etc.. I recently visited two ...
A: I may not be the best guy to answer this question mostly because I have been a Stone guy for almost ...
|
| Marble saddle replacement | 10/17/2007 |
Q: I am retiling my bathroom. I removed the 30-yr old waterproofing layer, the concrete with metal ...
A: To be honest both ways are acceptable methods of install. One just takes more precision to ...
|
| laying travertine floor tiles | 10/17/2007 |
Q: I have just removed the vinyl sheet flooring from my kitchen and dining room floors, leaving ...
A: Well, your not quite ready to start yet Tony. You see the masonite is not an approved substrate to ...
|
| ceramic tile surfacing | 10/15/2007 |
Q: I have about 500 sq feet of six inch square tile. It was quite porous, and we sealed it every five ...
A: I would use a simple stripper to remove whatever remnant of the old Sealer that is left and begin ...
|
| Removing Mortor from marble | 10/15/2007 |
Q: I've just installed a white marble floor 12x12 tiles. I'm planning on grouting soon, and i've ...
A: If you will remove a razor blade from the place where fresh ones are stored in a razor knife, and ...
|
| marble tile over VCT | 10/15/2007 |
Q: I have a project (1000 sq ft) to install marble tile over VCT and would like to know the best ...
A: I can not in good conscience recommend that you install "anything" much less an expensive material ...
|
| natural stone floor | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I am in the process of deciding on a new kitchen floor. I really like natural stone, either ...
A: The underlayment should be as rigid as possible as it is the basis of the foundation that will ...
|
| Polished Porcelain Black Floor Tiles | 10/14/2007 |
Q: We have just laid a polished black porcelain floor in our kitchen. We sealed the tiles before ...
A: Hey Julia, The Porcelain has an absorption rate of about .05 which basically means that little ...
|
| travertine & dogs | 10/14/2007 |
Q: I have a small male dog that likes to mark. My family room & kitchen are all tile, an irregular ...
A: You are on the right track but heading in the wrong direction. Unless your dog is trying to improve ...
|
| Polished Porcelain Black Floor Tiles | 10/14/2007 |
Q: We have just laid a polished black porcelain floor in our kitchen. We sealed the tiles before ...
A: There is a significant "mis"understanding in regards to performance expectations with both Ceramic ...
|
| Thinset/adhesive | 10/13/2007 |
Q: I am currently tiling my bathroom. Whether using thinset on cementboard or an adhesive on the ...
A: What your fighting is the "dryness" of both surfaces. The cement board has a very dry ...
|
| marble tile | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I have done quite a bit of floor and wall tile work though I don't claim to be a " professional tile ...
A: To be honest Bryan even if you were to use a "sanded" grout it is unlikely that you would scratch ...
|
| Granite Tile Installation on Fireplace | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I'm redoing my fireplace so the tiles and hearth have been removed and all that's left is the ...
A: The Granite will indeed adhere to the sheetrock and while typically the temps do rise at the ...
|
| tying hearth to floor | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I did as you suggested to Nancy and laid tiles over a brick hearth. The tile is level, but edge ...
A: I think it is great that you used the archive section of this service before seeing me but so long ...
|
| New Scratches in Marble tile-bathroom floor | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I have gray/bisque/with rose colors marble tiles on a bathroom floor, narrow room up to the shower. ...
A: You are way to nice a guy Mike. This careless Plumber should be called to the "carpet" for not ...
|
| EPOXY FLOOR | 9/21/2007 |
Q: I AM GOING TO BE PUTTING CERAMIC TILE OVER EPOXY FLOOR. REMOVAL OF WALLS THERE IS HEIGHT ISSUES, ...
A: Do "NOT" go over epoxy paint with any kind of installation. Even if you used "epoxy" setting ...
|
| Overspray on my Ceramic Tiles | 9/19/2007 |
Q: Can you tell me what the best method of removing paint & texture overspray from my creamic ...
A: If there is texture then a scrubbing pad and water should do the trick for that material...the paint ...
|
| Sealing pavers | 9/19/2007 |
Q: Before we make a mistake of ruining our paved backyard I'm hoping you can give us advise. We live in ...
A: Hey Susan, My sealer of choice has always been a product developed by GranQuartz called 357E ...
|
| condensation on porcelain floor | 9/19/2007 |
Q: Perry, i bought this apartment with porcelain flooring and i have totally no idea on the grade of ...
A: The apartment substrate, whether it be a cement slab or light weight concrete or simply a truss ...
|
| Sealing pavers | 9/19/2007 |
Q: Before we make a mistake of ruining our paved backyard I'm hoping you can give us advise. We live in ...
A: While a sealer used at the initial installation may have helped a bit over the course of a year in ...
|
| I used the wrong color thinset, now what? | 9/18/2007 |
Q: I just completed tiling a kitchen back splash that was done with tumbled 4x4 travertine in blended ...
A: Ok...I want you to take a deep breath and relax. My personal recommendations in regards to using a ...
|
| porcelain tile | 9/18/2007 |
Q: I had porcelain tile installed in my basement about 4 years ago. Our basement recently flooded. ...
A: Hey Carol, I learned a long time ago of the degenerative effects that many of the modern day ...
|
| Concrete floor prep | 9/17/2007 |
Q: I am in the process of finishing my basement. The house is six years old. We plan to install 12x12 ...
A: Well...that is sorta how it's done. You need to determine whether the area you are wanting to float ...
|
| porcelain tile | 9/17/2007 |
Q: I had porcelain tile installed in my basement about 4 years ago. Our basement recently flooded. ...
A: Well..because I have never seen the particular shine your Porcelain had some time ago it's a bit ...
|
| How to remove backerboard with thinset underneath | 9/17/2007 |
Q: Anyway, I installed marble tile in my 3' X 19' hallway and didn't like the way it looked. I ...
A: While I truly like your spunk and appreciate your desire to take on this particular demo project it ...
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| Matching edges | 9/16/2007 |
Q: Perry, I have a 20 year old home with Bruce engineered hardwood floors. In the family room, we ...
A: There is absolutely zero durability problems with Porcelain and Ceramic Tile that is a +4 grade or ...
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| ceramic tile over concrete? | 9/16/2007 |
Q: Our kitchen is being done over with newly poured concrete slab. Old one is cracked beyond repair. ...
A: Well...you seemed to have already answered your own question. If you want a rustic setting that ...
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| porcelain tiles | 9/16/2007 |
Q: I have laid new porcelain tiles in my home [i am a tiler]They are gloss. How do I clean the ...
A: The easiest (and quickest) way to get off the wax is to use a razor blade held in the fingers not in ...
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| Proper adhesive??? | 9/15/2007 |
Q: I had a chlorine chloride? test done and failed with numbers avg 5.2. I was advised to use Bostik ...
A: Hey Mike... The moisture test is often done when a flooring material is desired that is ...
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| replacing loose carerra marble tiles | 9/15/2007 |
Q: I had Carerra marble installed five years ago in my laundry room. A few of the tiles near the saddle ...
A: Whenever you are dealing with a Natural Stone you have a material that has as part of it's ...
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| grout gritty | 9/15/2007 |
Q: moved to a new house with 12inch ceramic tile on floor and a pale cream colored grout. the grout was ...
A: It sounds like one of the ingredients that make up the "menu" of materials that is grout has been ...
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| concrete flooring | 9/14/2007 |
Q: Can a concrete floor be buffed? If so, would I use any commercial grade floor buffer? Also would I ...
A: The answer is yes for buffing the slab which you can use a slurry of abrasives to go along with the ...
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| Porcelain Tiles | 9/14/2007 |
Q: I've had a concrete slab fail a moisture test about 5.3 avg. We plan to use Bestick Best for ...
A: You don't mention if this is a slab on grade or a basement slab below grade but "my" acceptable risk ...
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| grout deterioration | 9/13/2007 |
Q: I have had exterior ceramic tile installed on an outside deck approx. 2 years ago. Since then the ...
A: Grout when properly mixed and installed is unaffected by outside conditions (for the most part) ...
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| Marble floor tiles | 9/12/2007 |
Q: Can I use marble floor tiles in a luxury shower and how do I seal? Please advise as we are doing ...
A: Certainly Marble tile can be used in a shower as there isn't any differentiation made between the ...
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| ceramic tile | 9/12/2007 |
Q: I have a off white tile in my kitchen/ dining room , very hard to keep a clean appearance ,is there ...
A: Sadly Lavon there isn't...the glazing that is baked on the surface of the tile is impervious to ...
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| kitchen floor problems | 9/12/2007 |
Q: We had a friend with "experience" in laying tile guide us in installing our kitchen flooring ...
A: Hey Jana... The lessons that we learn through our pocketbooks always seem to last the longest. ...
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| Ceramic tile oversheet vinyl | 9/12/2007 |
Q: Perry, I am planning to install ceramic tile in a spare bathroom. The current flooing is sheet ...
A: Well I have to say with a shrug of my shoulders "maybe"...you are growing in elevation close to ...
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| floor repair | 9/12/2007 |
Q: I have trazzlo type floor and it has to much stain i try to clean it it dont work I tried power ...
A: I came out of the Florida market and encountered Terrazzo floors many times over the years. It was ...
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| granite tile | 9/11/2007 |
Q: I am trying to install granite tile over existing brick fireplace. The fireplace is not in use and ...
A: There is another option you might consider doing and it's a bit simpler than all the "adding" ...
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| Prepare floor for porcelain ceramic tile | 9/11/2007 |
Q: We had vinyl tiles for 37 years and just replaced it with Armstrong self sticking. It is now being ...
A: Well not only do you have to remove a "fresh" layer of vinyl adhesive but you will also need to ...
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| kitchen floor problems | 9/11/2007 |
Q: We had a friend with "experience" in laying tile guide us in installing our kitchen flooring ...
A: I sure wish you had come to me prior to arriving at this point in your remodel. Sorry for this ...
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| Ceramic tiles that have cracked | 9/11/2007 |
Q: We had a professional install ceramic tile and in the doorway where two rooms join the tiles have ...
A: Hey Kathy, Well...I'm somewhat at a loss for words if this installer is legit over 30 years, ...
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| Ceramic tiles that have cracked | 9/10/2007 |
Q: We had a professional install ceramic tile and in the doorway where two rooms join the tiles have ...
A: Well I have to wonder just how much of a "Professional" your professional really is? Doing ...
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| Removal of Cement board | 8/30/2007 |
Q: I have removed all the ceramic tile from the backer-board. Now I need to remove the backer-board. ...
A: Hey Shirley, I like you, and respect you as well. I am always pleased when women in particular ...
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| correct product for setting floor tile | 8/30/2007 |
Q: Our handyman did not use mortar to lay our kitchen tile. He set all the tile with grout. We just ...
A: Well...in short, the answer is no. If your "handyman" did indeed install your tile with actual ...
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| Ceramic tile sizes | 8/29/2007 |
Q: Contemplating to install a 24"x24" ceramic tile in a 24'x16' bedroom and same sized kitchen/dining ...
A: With the ever evolving format changes (sizes)with Tile I am beginning to wonder where it's going to ...
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| Remodeling stand up shower | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I am currently getting bids to redo my upstairs master bathroom stand up shower (there is NO ...
A: Each one of the pending scenario's that you have listed really reflect what each installer is ...
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| Removal of Cement board | 8/29/2007 |
Q: I have removed all the ceramic tile from the backer-board. Now I need to remove the backer-board. ...
A: Depending upon how high your present situation sits..ie: the backer board at the doorways into ...
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| Changing the color of my grout | 8/27/2007 |
Q: I have a cermaic tile floor in my kitchen and dining area. The problem is that my grout is almost ...
A: This is a very common problem generated primarily by folks who have used caustic cleansers while ...
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| injectable ceramic tile glue | 8/27/2007 |
Q: Do you know the name of the product which comes in a large type of caulk tube that can be injected ...
A: Sad to say Bob but while I have heard of this process I have never witnessed it. The name of the ...
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| floor color | 8/26/2007 |
Q: I have a decorating dilemma. I have white cupboards, grey granite countertops, and its open concept. ...
A: When I have had to make light/dark decisions for any design scheme I ask myself or the homeowner two ...
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| Laying Granite Tile | 8/25/2007 |
Q: I am looking into laying about 400sq ft of granite tile for some friends. I have layed ceramic and ...
A: There are of course multiple products out there all with great claims of doing one thing or another ...
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| Travertine tile | 8/25/2007 |
Q: I am getting ready to install some 18" x 18" x 1/2" travertine tiles in the entry way and the master ...
A: I have long been a fan of conventional cement backerboard with "Wonderboard" being the product of my ...
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| tile floor | 8/4/2007 |
Q: I'm remodeling my older home which is a pier & beam with plywood flooring under the carpet & vinyl. ...
A: You have a tricky scenario my friend as you would like to think that the older homes typically had ...
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| Travertine sealants and backerboard | 8/4/2007 |
Q: I have been reading through the archives, and there seems to be a disagreement about wether or not ...
A: Well for me the Sealer question is pretty straight forward. Ceramic Tile/Porcelain Tile do not ...
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| Intalling travertine tile on a ceilings | 8/4/2007 |
Q: Aloha Perry: I want to thank you for your sage advice on installation techniques for my 18 x 18 ...
A: Hey Richard, That is terrific my friend, I am so pleased. Well one of the reasons I always ...
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| tile floor tenting/lifting after 7 years | 8/4/2007 |
Q: the middle of our living room 18" tiles began tenting and lifting as i watched in horror. it ...
A: Hey Carol, Many times a crack can develop and not show through the tile, it may break bond as ...
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| Cat Urine Proof Flooring | 8/4/2007 |
Q: ..........We have an amazing kitty who has a problem hitting the litter box because of an anatomical ...
A: Well...this is a challenge I have never been asked before. There is, for me, one simple answer...and ...
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| The marble is not shiny any more. | 8/3/2007 |
Q: We just installed the marble and we used a sealer #4. The marble now is not shiny and it looks like ...
A: Hey Naja, Although I have never used the TileLabs sealer, I'm confident that if you do just a ...
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| Ceramic tile | 8/3/2007 |
Q: About six months after our kitchen ceramic tile floor was installed, I found chips on two tiles. ...
A: Well to be honest with you Linda maybe a good scrubbing might be in order because most tile are not ...
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| tile floor tenting/lifting after 7 years | 8/3/2007 |
Q: the middle of our living room 18" tiles began tenting and lifting as i watched in horror. it ...
A: Hey Carol, To be honest Carol I am humbled by your trust in me at such a troubling time for you ...
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| tiles popping off floors | 8/2/2007 |
Q: We have a customer who's home was flooded. Her ceramic tile is lifting in some areas after the ...
A: Well the answer is no Randy, Ceramic Tile will not absorb much water at all because the glazing ...
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| vinyl installation | 8/2/2007 |
Q: I preped the floor in my kitchen with 1/2 inch durlock getting ready for tile, then decided because ...
A: You could install a 1/4" layer of plywood by using a Construction adhesive and screws that would ...
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| Porcelain Tile Installation | 8/2/2007 |
Q: We have been rebuilding our house (through a builder) after having it destroyed by the hurricanes of ...
A: Hey Chuck, It's not that I suggest that the Builder would be lying but Crema Marfil is one of ...
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| tile floor tenting/lifting after 7 years | 8/2/2007 |
Q: the middle of our living room 18" tiles began tenting and lifting as i watched in horror. it ...
A: Hey Carol, Well...just as I expected the Insurance Company has remained true to form. As I said ...
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| Cleaning Swan Stone shower pan | 8/2/2007 |
Q: I have a swan stone shower pan that is about 4 years old, tahiti sand in color. Regardless of what ...
A: Once these kind of shower pans loose their luster it's next to impossible to regain it. Hard water ...
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| travitine stone | 8/1/2007 |
Q: I am installing travertine stone (1500sq ft) around my pool It is going on a cement slab There is ...
A: Well the primary problem I see developing here is that you don't want to grout the Stone install. ...
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| Tile over laminate over cement | 7/31/2007 |
Q: Our kitchen floor is white laminate flooring over cement. Black mold appeared right after the ...
A: Well Jen...your question is nice and brief but rather vague. The black mold is something that if it ...
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| tile floor tenting/lifting after 7 years | 7/31/2007 |
Q: the middle of our living room 18" tiles began tenting and lifting as i watched in horror. it ...
A: It is entirely possible that something either "settled" or a force triggered this happening. Houses ...
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| The marble is not shiny any more. | 7/31/2007 |
Q: We just installed the marble and we used a sealer #4. The marble now is not shiny and it looks like ...
A: Well...I have no idea what Sealer you used as "#4" doesn't give me even a clue as to what it is. The ...
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| Installing Travertine around a pool | 7/31/2007 |
Q: I am putting travertine around a outdoor pool. The existing surface is exposed aggregate concrete ...
A: I did a few pool decks years back prior to the invention of todays "uncoupling membranes" and we ...
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| Retiling bathroom floor | 7/31/2007 |
Q: How do I remove old tile, thinset and prepare floor. Then how do I layout and lay the tile? Thx. ...
A: I appreciate the brevity of your questions but they are so generic in nature. I could easily write a ...
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| Tile Grout | 7/30/2007 |
Q: Two years ago we moved into a new condo. The kitchen has a tile floor with light gray grout. The ...
A: I do not like to recommend any Home Improvement Center over another but in this case I will. At Home ...
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| subflooring | 7/30/2007 |
Q: i want to install ceramic or Porcelain tiles in my small galley kitchen. i removed the old laminate ...
A: Not to be a stickler or anything but the Industry minimum standard is 1 1/4" thickness which is ...
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| Stamped Concrete Driveway and patio | 7/29/2007 |
Q: Here's the deal, the driveway looks great, but the front entrance patio is lopsided on the left by ...
A: It will always come down to "who said what" and what can be "proved" which will need to be backed up ...
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| Porcelain Tile Installation | 7/29/2007 |
Q: We have been rebuilding our house (through a builder) after having it destroyed by the hurricanes of ...
A: I'm not sure where to start here...I suppose we should get the "lippage" issue addressed here first. ...
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| Marble Shower floor | 7/29/2007 |
Q: My marble shower is 3 years old. The sealant is coming off the line where the wall and the floor ...
A: Yes Tom, this does make sense to me. The grout has been corrupted by the mildew and will need to be ...
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| self leveling compound or new sub floor? | 7/29/2007 |
Q: We have a fully finished room that used to be a patio. When the previous owners enclosed it, they ...
A: Hey Yvonne, Well this does complicate things a bit..but never fear. Anything can be done ...
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| Travertine installation | 7/29/2007 |
Q: recently I had travertine installed in my kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room floor. My wife and I ...
A: Hey Ken, Well, I suppose by the feel of your response to me this person was not inclined to ...
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| self leveling compound or new sub floor? | 7/27/2007 |
Q: We have a fully finished room that used to be a patio. When the previous owners enclosed it, they ...
A: The problem with changing a "patio" space into a living space becomes most apparent when furniture ...
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| Grout and/or silicone | 7/17/2007 |
Q: I have installed 11" x 11" porcelan tile on the front covered porch of our newly purchased house. ...
A: You have a valid concern but also you have the solution to it...Silicone. A nice tight fingered bead ...
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| tumbled stone | 7/17/2007 |
Q: We just had tumbled stone installed on the walls and floor of our shower. It has been sealed, in ...
A: The best way to take care of this material is to simply towel off the water after everyone has used ...
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| laying marble over existing ceramic | 7/17/2007 |
Q: Perry, I am looking to lay marble tiles over an existing ceramic tile floor. I have read in a past ...
A: Anything that you can do to "abrade" the surface of the existing tile will only help the bond with ...
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| ceramic floor tile prep | 7/17/2007 |
Q: perry, i've just gutted mom's bath down to the floor joists. today i began installing 3/4" ply on ...
A: The drywall screws will do just fine as they are not exposed and will be sealed to water just by ...
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| Porcelain over old concrete | 7/16/2007 |
Q: My 750 square foot cottage is on a slab in a very moist climate. I just removed the mildewy carpet ...
A: Hey Nellie, The black pipe you described is possibly a part of a drainage system but how it is ...
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| Porcelain over old concrete | 7/16/2007 |
Q: My 750 square foot cottage is on a slab in a very moist climate. I just removed the mildewy carpet ...
A: The first thing I want you to do has nothing to do with the start of your tile interests ok? What I ...
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| 3 Season Enclosed Porch (no heat0 - Floor | 7/14/2007 |
Q: Perry, Granite vs Porcelain Tile for Floor - we have a 3 season enclosed porch (no heat) in New ...
A: Personally I like your design theme. Porcelain, even though it is performance "overkill", it ends up ...
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| reusing backerboard | 7/12/2007 |
Q: I am retiling a kitchen and have started to take off the existing tile. This comes off ok and ...
A: I typically use the same tool that I got the tile up with to remove the thinset from the surface of ...
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| Travertine in the Bathroom | 7/12/2007 |
Q: we are installing 18"x18" Travertine in our bathroom (5'4" x 8'. It is filled and honed. We are ...
A: With your selection of a Natural Stone it is necessary to seal it not only for protection but the ...
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| marble | 7/11/2007 |
Q: can i but 12x12 marble together and if so what do i use to control joints from water..i seen the ...
A: Well...could you be a bit more specific in regards to where you want to do this? The application you ...
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| slab prep flooring | 7/11/2007 |
Q: I recently stripped my concrete slab for prep of putting down engineered flooring. I realize that ...
A: The black adhesive is a old "cut back" glue which is not much more than black tar...simple enough ...
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| black grout adjacent to white grout | 7/10/2007 |
Q: I have recently laid a 5/8" marble mosaic bathroom floor, 30 sq ft. White carrara, grouted white. ...
A: Every time to reseal the different places you "re"emulsify the previous coat of sealer (reactivate ...
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| ceramic or marble | 7/9/2007 |
Q: which would be better for a kitchen floor, ceramic or marble tiles?
A: Depends on your lifestyle whether Ceramic tile or Natural Stone is merited. If you have 3 teenagers ...
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| tiling | 7/9/2007 |
Q: i am looking around for tiles for our house alots of people telling me different things about ...
A: Well I am well versed in how confusing things can be in regards to changing tile issues these days. ...
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| Floor prep for tile -AFTER Sheet Flooring | 7/7/2007 |
Q: Howdy - I looked around, but couldn't find the specific answer I was looking for. If I'm ...
A: Hey Troy, Humblest apologies my friend the ease of vinyl as a material stops right after the ...
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| Polished Marble Sealing and Grouting | 7/7/2007 |
Q: We are preparing to install polished marble tile in our bathroom, and we have two questions. First, ...
A: Hey Ginny, It is not likely to scratch the surface unless you bear down too hard and completely ...
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| Preparing uneven sub-floor for new tile installation | 7/7/2007 |
Q: We are remodeling a second floor bathroom, 9’ by 9’ in size, in a house built in 1963. The bathroom ...
A: The easiest way to solve this undulating substrate is to use a "leveling Compound" to float out the ...
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| Polished Marble Sealing and Grouting | 7/7/2007 |
Q: We are preparing to install polished marble tile in our bathroom, and we have two questions. First, ...
A: For years here in this forum I have advocated multiple coats of sealer when installing a Natural ...
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| tile choice | 7/7/2007 |
Q: This is partly a design choice question. I hope I am asking the right person. I live in a 1500 sq ...
A: You never know if you are asking the right person a design choice until you hear (and see) what ...
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| Brick hard water stain removal | 7/6/2007 |
Q: The previous owner of our house left us with hard water stains on our covered outside brick patio. ...
A: I appreciate you sourcing the site prior to asking your question as it gives you something to ...
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| Ceramic Tile | 7/5/2007 |
Q: We are looking at a new home that currently has a white/light colored tile throughout the house. We ...
A: If you have your heart set on a darker appearance the only way to have it is to remove the offending ...
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| creating a level base for tiling | 7/4/2007 |
Q: In April last year you were extremely helpful in advising me on my first tiling job, so I've come ...
A: Hey Julian, Welcome back, I'm pleased that I could help before so lets do it again. First lets ...
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| Subfloor preparation for ceramic tile | 7/4/2007 |
Q: My husband and I just removed old carpeting over some sort of 6" x 6" backer squares, which for the ...
A: The overall satisfaction that you will experience down the road with your new floor will be directly ...
|
| loose tiles/inspection | 7/4/2007 |
Q: We have a newly constructed home (about 1 year old). About 7 months ago, we began having problems ...
A: Years ago I did Commercial work for a large Commercial Flooring Company and for several months I ...
|
| ceramic tile over | 7/2/2007 |
Q: I have ripped up the 12"x12" vinyl tile in my small bathroom with the hopes of installing ceramic ...
A: Hey Eric, Here's what I want you to do...you can use the leveling compound to even out the slab ...
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| ceramic tile over "cutback"? | 7/2/2007 |
Q: I have ripped up the 12"x12" vinyl tile in my small bathroom with the hopes of installing ceramic ...
A: Sorry my friend but the material that remains on the slab has to go. Get one of those two handed ...
|
| Floor prep for tile -AFTER Sheet Flooring | 7/1/2007 |
Q: Howdy - I looked around, but couldn't find the specific answer I was looking for. If I'm ...
A: You really need to go the extra mile in this case as installing tile over this paper layer will be ...
|
| travertine | 7/1/2007 |
Q: im going to lay travertine to my ground level rooms..living room, hall, dining room and kitchen. ...
A: Graham, Sorry about the "American" measurements, not the first time I've answered someone ...
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| Marble Tile | 7/1/2007 |
Q: I want to install 12x12 marble tile in the 1/2 bath/laundry room in my basement. Currently there is ...
A: The vinyl tiles must be removed from the slab and as much of the old adhesive as possible. Now if ...
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| Tile or stone flooring | 6/30/2007 |
Q: I want to install an impermeable floor on my existing treated wood deck/screened porch. I prefer to ...
A: I would advise you to consult an engineer before you proceed with your project. The underlayment and ...
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| laying rectified tile | 6/26/2007 |
Q: I want to lay rectified tile in my house with an 1/8 inch grout line but I do not understand how to ...
A: There are smaller versions of spacers for tight applications used for Marble joint installs. While I ...
|
| adhesive removal... | 6/25/2007 |
Q: My original kitchen flooring was linoleum tile over concrete. That was removed, floor was cleaned ...
A: Well initially I would have a concern about the area where the tile lost adhesion as the same thing ...
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| grout crumbling in upstairs bath | 6/24/2007 |
Q: The tile in my masterbath is coming dislodged. The grout is crumbling away. I have been removing ...
A: There are a couple things to consider here...one is the material and how it was installed. If your ...
|
| covering marble floor | 6/23/2007 |
Q: We've bought an apartment that has pink venetian marble flooring in the hallway and living room; and ...
A: Typically in scenarios like yours as you desire to own an apartment that has convenience, views, ...
|
| Travertine Backsplash | 6/22/2007 |
Q: I'm doing out kitchen backsplash with very potus travertine 4" tiles. Using pennys as spacers. ...
A: You should employ 3 coats of Sealer during this process...one before installation..second after ...
|
| Concrete Floor | 6/21/2007 |
Q: Perry, I'm considering going to concrete flooring. I live in a single story slab foundation. ...
A: For sure the vinyl would have to go but the old adhesive is going to have to go as well. This will ...
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| Tiled Shower Floor | 6/20/2007 |
Q: My contractor installed the shower floor with a seemingly extreme slope. It looks like a shallow ...
A: It sounds like an odd finish indeed as a shower floor is to be a gentle fall from walls edge to ...
|
| Expert Witness Service | 6/19/2007 |
Q: Mr. Vellenga: Could you possibly serve as an expert witness in a case invlolving marble ...
A: If I were an Independent Contractor I would be able to serve you but as I am gainfully employed by a ...
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| installing traventine | 6/18/2007 |
Q: I know i have to strip the shine of the linoleum. what kind of mortar should I use ( flex)
A: The vinyl must be removed and as much of the vinyl adhesive as well. It's hard work but necessary ...
|
| marble steam shower | 6/17/2007 |
Q: I am having a 15 year old steam shower and the floor in a very large master bath redone with ...
A: Do not let these guys proceed any further. Based upon what you have described to me this is a very ...
|
| CRACKED TILE THROUGHOUT IN 5 YR OLD HOME | 6/17/2007 |
Q: I NOTICED IN JULY 2006 THAT MY MASTER BEDROOM AND MAST BATH HAD DEEP CRACKS IN THE TILE THAT EXTENDS ...
A: The simple answer is no...and I would be pressing the original Builder as to what "his" solution to ...
|
| flooring | 6/16/2007 |
Q: if somebody in your household is disabled what health and safety considerations would there be in ...
A: In our Industry Langa we are often called upon to design and build means of access for disabled ...
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| Travetine Tiles in Shower | 6/15/2007 |
Q: We have honed travertine tiles which were fitted in our en-suite shower room approx 4 years ago. ...
A: Tanking is really a "comical" term given to the use of an isolation membrane that lends to a ...
|
| marble colour changes after installation | 6/15/2007 |
Q: We moved into a brand new condo recently with a bathroom which has a marble floor. They are all ...
A: I have a suspicion as to what this dilemma might be and it is far simpler than many might expect. ...
|
| prep floor after removal of old tile | 6/6/2007 |
Q: We are remodeling the bathrooms in our 1960's home. We have removed most of the floor tiles, but ...
A: Well the standard way is to purchase a pair of good gloves and the long handled floor scraper that ...
|
| demo'ing the existing Porcelain tile | 6/6/2007 |
Q: What is the most efficent way to remove Porcelain tile from a cement floor? I am currently ...
A: The easiest way and most efficient is to rent a "chipping hammer" from your local Rent-it Center. ...
|
| marble tile | 6/6/2007 |
Q: we are almost about to buy a home that has ALOT of pink marble tile, that frankly i dislike, can ...
A: The only sure way to change the color of a Marble floor is to have it hammered out and a new ...
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| ceramic tile | 6/5/2007 |
Q: i need some info on purchasing good quality tile. does price determine the quality? i am looking at ...
A: While the thickness of a tile is something you "may" consider when installing a new floor it's not ...
|
| tumbled travertine grout type | 6/4/2007 |
Q: I am the same Christine who asked about how to best preserve the crevices in my tumbled travertine. ...
A: Hey Christine, Welcome back...desiring a smaller grout joint is always a better choice than a ...
|
| porcelain tile vs jerusalem stone | 6/4/2007 |
Q: Re-flooring patio area around a small in ground pool in souther Florida. Jerusalem stone is on ...
A: I may not be the best person to ask this question to as I have long been a lover of Natural Stone. ...
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| Travertine Scabas Tile | 6/4/2007 |
Q: I just had a travertine (scabas) floor installed in my kitchen, and it was sealed with a ...
A: First, lets call the installer back and present this question to him, as he is ultimately ...
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| installing saltillo tile over VCT on slab | 6/3/2007 |
Q: We have a playroom floor that is commercial Vinyl Composition Tile (12x12) over a concrete slab. ...
A: Sorry Ben but the vinyl has to go. Should you install over this very unstable material only bad ...
|
| Glass mosaic tiles for bathroom floor | 6/3/2007 |
Q: I am renovating a bathroom and thinking about using glass mosaic tile (1"x1" or 3/4"x3/4") on the ...
A: These are thoughtful questions Erica and reasonable. The glass tile "explosion" is in full swing so ...
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| Porcelain tile installation and grout repair | 6/2/2007 |
Q: I am installing porcelain tile in 2 baths. One upstairs (plywood subfloor) and one downstairs ...
A: In order to have the best opportunity for positive bonding with any substrate you should remove any ...
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| Grout Cracked Around Window in Shower | 6/2/2007 |
Q: Perry, My Dad recently installed a new tile shower in my bathroom. He also installed a plexi-glass ...
A: What would we do without our dads..eh? In your particular scenario I don't see any mention of a ...
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| sealed grout still dirty | 6/1/2007 |
Q: I sealed new grout twice around porcelain tile in kitchen for every precaution. It still gets dirty ...
A: It could be that the majority of the grout joints weren't properly "tooled" when things were washed ...
|
| tiling porch exposed to rain/ice/snow in Northeast | 6/1/2007 |
Q: Perry, I have a concrete slab porch that is covered by a roof and short eave but exposed to the ...
A: I wish all who have a question and come through here would be as informative as yours is...nicely ...
|
| whit carera marble | 6/1/2007 |
Q: I recently installed some white carrera marble that has black grout around it and it slightly ...
A: There isn't much to be done once things have been set and sealed. The stains should lighten over ...
|
| Travertine Fireplace | 5/30/2007 |
Q: Perry, I am about to have 12x12 travertine tiles installed on my hearth and fireplace. I had planned ...
A: There is a minor exception as to whether you are required to grout a fireplace as it doesn't receive ...
|
| excess grout | 5/29/2007 |
Q: I recently had a backsplash put in my kitchen that pasrtly consisted of square tiles. The installer ...
A: My first question to you is...why not make the original installer return to complete the job. If he ...
|
| Tiling Screened Porch | 5/27/2007 |
Q: I have an elevated screened porch with decking flooring. The screened porch is between 2 extended ...
A: I recently received a very similar question last week inquiring in regards to a front porch ...
|
| Subfloor preparation for Marble Tiles | 5/27/2007 |
Q: I'm re-finishing my bathroom and I have removed the old 4x4 ceremic tiles and the 5/8" plywood layer ...
A: Hey Tristan, In the tile Industry the minimum standard for sub-floor structure assembly is 1 ...
|
| Thinset over old vinyl adhesive? | 5/26/2007 |
Q: This is my second question for you in as many days. I am putting 1/2" travertine down in my ...
A: Hey Patrick, Welcome back Patrick, before you proceed with the install lets get a small quart ...
|
| Subfloor preparation for Marble Tiles | 5/26/2007 |
Q: I'm re-finishing my bathroom and I have removed the old 4x4 ceremic tiles and the 5/8" plywood layer ...
A: Well to be honest with you Tristan I am not a fan of Hardybacker board. While the "Wonderboard" and ...
|
| tumbled travertine | 5/26/2007 |
Q: I'm so glad you're back from vacation. I've been waiting a week to ask you this question! I have ...
A: Hey Christine, Welcome back, my vacations are typically a result of being inundated with a ...
|
| venetian plaster over old tile mastic on bathroom wall? | 5/26/2007 |
Q: I am remodeling my bathroom that had 4x4 wall tiles going 4' up on every wall. I removed all the ...
A: The idea has merit Pat but I would prefer you supplant the drywall compound with white multipurpose ...
|
| Shower Floor Tile | 5/26/2007 |
Q: I have an old tile shower that was custom made in the early 50s. Small daisy tiles on the floor and ...
A: If you got 50 years out of your shower before failure that poor shower doesn't owe you anything. In ...
|
| Travertine tile installation | 5/16/2007 |
Q: Perry, I got a buddy who recently fired his flooring contractor. For the sake of time I'll spare you ...
A: I suspect that what you are seeing isn't thinset but a "self-leveling" compound sometimes used to ...
|
| tile floor grout | 5/16/2007 |
Q: I installed a tile floor in a bath. I put down hardie board. I screwed the cement board to the sub ...
A: The product you used is nothing more than a latex "glue" just like wall mastic that has sand added ...
|
| removing ceramic tle from a hardwood floor | 5/16/2007 |
Q: Someone put down ceraminc tile over the hardwood floor in the entry hall of my house. I would like ...
A: To be honest Frank I can give you my educated "guess" as I suspect that the Ceramic Tile will mostly ...
|
| cleaning grout that has cured on ceramic tile | 5/15/2007 |
Q: We installed ceramic tile in our basement last week. After it was grouted we had an emergency and ...
A: Sorry you were pulled away at a crucial time. Typically a more frustrated person would have headed ...
|
| Replacement of Tile Grout in Bathroom | 5/15/2007 |
Q: Have a project that i'm getting ready to start. The bathroom is all tile, and want to have the old ...
A: Unless I am not completely understanding, what you are wanting to do can't be (shouldn't be) done. ...
|
| Tiling a wooden porch | 5/15/2007 |
Q: My house is over 100 years old and has a wooden front porch. The paint has pealed over the years and ...
A: I love the older structures for the character they have and old World styling. But...they typically ...
|
| natural stone bathroom floor | 5/15/2007 |
Q: I have a tumbled stone shower floor, with ceramic tile walls. I am getting mold where these 2 ...
A: Well before you deal with the existing mold, you should try to figure out what's causing the ...
|
| Travertine Tile Installation | 5/15/2007 |
Q: Perry: Over the past couple decades I've installed ceramic tile on floors, shower stalls and tub ...
A: I wish 90% of the folks that come through here would do as you have done, stop in first before ...
|
| retiling bathroom floor | 5/14/2007 |
Q: My father is going to help me retile the floor in our bathroom. The tile that is in there now is ...
A: Don't ya just love "dads"? Well...you can install tile over tile with one caveat'...you "build" up ...
|
| floor leveling | 5/14/2007 |
Q: Trying to install 12" porcelain tile in a small bath. The floor is high in the center & dips 1/2" to ...
A: Well you could do it the old fashioned way...mix up some stiff thinset and trowel out additional ...
|
| ceramic tile removal | 5/14/2007 |
Q: Are there any types of concrete grinders or other machines that can remove ceramic tile while ...
A: There are grinding machines that can do amazing things but not many of the Rent-it stores have them. ...
|
| Dark Areas with Fresh Grout in Shower | 5/14/2007 |
Q: I had a professional tile job done in my bathroom. A light grout was used. After the grout dried ...
A: Based upon what you are telling me I get the idea that the sub-contractor used a "black ...
|
| Thinset adhesion over painted concrete | 5/14/2007 |
Q: I am getting ready to install tile in my beasement on a concrete floor. One of the rooms had 2 ...
A: Paint on a sub-floor is never a good thing when you are wanting to tile the area. Paint will ...
|
| Saltillo vs Ceramic | 5/13/2007 |
Q: I am making plans to put new flooring in my home (entry hallway, living room, kitchen, and a ...
A: Back in the early part of my career Mexican Saltillo tile was a frequent choice of material. There ...
|
| Tile/Grout Sealing | 5/12/2007 |
Q: I have just finished my shower with ceramic tile and unsanded grout. Please give me your opinion in ...
A: Hey John, The reasoning behind sealing a floor grout is pretty much a no brainer..it gets ...
|
| marble flooring | 5/12/2007 |
Q: many thanks
A: I am not familiar with this name but with the myriad of products on the market today it is simply ...
|
| waterproofing before tiling | 5/12/2007 |
Q: I had water in my basement from under the house that came thru the old holes from a slop sink, ...
A: Hey Christian, You have to forgive me for being a bit too brief in my response to you. When I ...
|
| Taking grout off Marble tiles | 5/12/2007 |
Q: I've had and still have a huge problem on my hands. I'm in the middle of tiling one of my bathrooms. ...
A: Well Cheryl, you must be living right and the good Lord is watching over you for sure and you gave ...
|
| travertine vs. engineered wood | 5/11/2007 |
Q: Perry....I am remodeling my house....in the entry way, living room and dining room there is an ...
A: The doubt that you are feeling is a valid one. The rule of thumb that I have maintained over the ...
|
| Taking grout off Marble tiles | 5/11/2007 |
Q: I've had and still have a huge problem on my hands. I'm in the middle of tiling one of my bathrooms. ...
A: Hey Cheryl, Well...I'm glad that it worked out for you. I carefully reexamined my first reply ...
|
| Changing Tile Color | 5/11/2007 |
Q: We just discovered tile under our laminate wood flooring. Overjoyed to say the least. However, the ...
A: I love this question and I get it more than you might expect, but the answer is still the same ...
|
| waterproofing before tiling | 5/11/2007 |
Q: I had water in my basement from under the house that came thru the old holes from a slop sink, ...
A: After you have filled in all penetrations my suggestion is to wait till your next rain storm passes ...
|
| Tile/Grout Sealing | 5/11/2007 |
Q: I have just finished my shower with ceramic tile and unsanded grout. Please give me your opinion in ...
A: My personal thoughts on sealing tile within the shower confines is not to do it. You don't mention ...
|
| I like the grout color better when it is wet | 5/10/2007 |
Q: Is there a sealer or color enhancer that I can use on grout on a bathroom floor that will darken it ...
A: Hey Mary, I have been doing this a very long time and in my honest opinion you were sold a ...
|
| Tile and wood | 5/10/2007 |
Q: My question is whether you can incorporate tile and wood together. My guess is no, because the wood ...
A: You can indeed install tile along side wood. Your design scheme sounds a bit "out there" but thats ...
|
| tile floor-after the fact | 5/10/2007 |
Q: I have an inquiry for you. I had a experienced tile guy (not licensed) tile my kitchen floor. He ...
A: Hey Mary, Well you will need to do some close inspection yourself of the actual visual condition ...
|
| tile floor-after the fact | 5/10/2007 |
Q: I have an inquiry for you. I had a experienced tile guy (not licensed) tile my kitchen floor. He ...
A: You don't mention whether this is a Travertine stone or another type of 20" material. Typically ...
|
| Grout Recoloring | 5/9/2007 |
Q: Good Morning I am in the process of "updating" my grout (I have a 1800 sq ft condo--all tile) While ...
A: There is a misconception when it comes to grout "staining" (recoloring). Any long term speculation ...
|
| Taking grout off Marble tiles | 5/9/2007 |
Q: I've had and still have a huge problem on my hands. I'm in the middle of tiling one of my bathrooms. ...
A: My dear, you have a big mess on your hands. No grout can sit longer than 20 minutes before you need ...
|
| Installing ceramic or stone tile over concrete | 5/9/2007 |
Q: I have an enclosed contrete patio. I have heard about using Ditra before laying the tile. Do you ...
A: There isn't any great mystery installing Ditra only a common sense approach is needed. There is ...
|
| I like the grout color better when it is wet | 5/9/2007 |
Q: Is there a sealer or color enhancer that I can use on grout on a bathroom floor that will darken it ...
A: The answer is yes for a sealer. The one I like to use for your particular application is made by a ...
|
| grout cleaner | 4/24/2007 |
Q: Could you please tell me what kind of cleaner should I use to clean the grout of my kitchen floor? I ...
A: Years ago I purchased what we call a "doodle bug" kit which is a plastic handle that has a "Velcro ...
|
| Ceramic tile installation | 4/24/2007 |
Q: I've never seen a question about possibility of installing ceramic tiles over an existing floating ...
A: Well Stan as your own answer within your own question was brought to light by yourself your guess ...
|
| outdoor flooring | 4/23/2007 |
Q: Im building a screened porch. I needed suggestions on what type of decking to use in place of the ...
A: I am somewhat confused by your question mainly because of a lack of information. You ask about ...
|
| Warped Floor | 4/23/2007 |
Q: I have warped floors in my bathroom. I am wanting to put down laminate or tile but need to even out ...
A: You don't mention whether the subfloor is made of wood or cement...big difference in labor, but... ...
|
| lifting of tile | 4/23/2007 |
Q: Our villa in Florida was constructed in 1994,and is a slab on grade construction. After purchasing ...
A: Believe it or not Joe but I have seen this condition many times. The bond that your tile once ...
|
| porcelain tile | 4/21/2007 |
Q: I have a 30-year old concrete patio. It has a roof over it, but is otherwise exposed to the OHIO ...
A: Even the base grade thinset will perform in the conditions you have there in Ohio. What you really ...
|
| marble tile for fireplace facing. | 4/21/2007 |
Q: My installer wants to use hardiboard after replacing the old tile. Also tile over the hearth with ...
A: As I have repeatedly stated here in this forum over the years, I am not a fan of Hardybacker Board, ...
|
| Removing old tile | 4/20/2007 |
Q: I have installed tile in two of our bathrooms so far; substrate consists of 2 inch dimensional T&G ...
A: Have we talked before?..sounds familiar you do. Well Andrew, I do not have good news with this ...
|
| Marble flooring | 4/20/2007 |
Q: Recently we got ‘Perlato Royal’ flooring done in our new residence in Bangalore. After we moved in ...
A: The most common explanation for cracks forming in the tiles is a cracked and moving substrate. The ...
|
| grout or water issue | 4/19/2007 |
Q: I installed tile and grouted our shower. No problems, except that on a 16 X 16 section on the floor ...
A: I never recommend that a shower floor (or walls for that matter) be sealed in particular the grout. ...
|
| Tile over existing tile | 4/19/2007 |
Q: The existing floor is a concrete slab with tile on it already. The existing tile is very secure. ...
A: Based upon what you have described to me as to the condition of things the answer is yes for a tile ...
|
| ceramic floor tile | 4/18/2007 |
Q: I’m leaving for vacation tomorrow, but when I return I need to lay ceramic floor tile (8x8-inches or ...
A: With a nice cement slab to work off of lets get rid of the vinyl and as much of the old adhesive as ...
|
| threshold for a marble bathroom floor | 4/17/2007 |
Q: Our contractor has installed a carrera marble threshold to match our carrerra tiles; however, it is ...
A: Hey Gina, It seems to me that not a great deal of forethought went into the marriage of these ...
|
| threshold for a marble bathroom floor | 4/17/2007 |
Q: Our contractor has installed a carrera marble threshold to match our carrerra tiles; however, it is ...
A: You don't mention where this is occurring (bathroom/living room/foyer)or what the connecting ...
|
| Convert Ceramic Tile to Hardwood | 4/13/2007 |
Q: I just bought a house and the room that I want to use for my family room has ceramic tile. I ...
A: Hey Kristy, So long as you understand the issues I raised in regards to the finish elevations ...
|
| Convert Ceramic Tile to Hardwood | 4/13/2007 |
Q: I just bought a house and the room that I want to use for my family room has ceramic tile. I ...
A: Well...something you will have to discover is whats beneath the ceramic tile layer. If the tile is ...
|
| Installing large travertine tiles upstairs | 4/13/2007 |
Q: I am installing large travertine tiles to replace my carpeting in my upstairs master bathroom. Can ...
A: There is a temptation to desire to simply install the tile right on to the existing plywood subfloor ...
|
| How high should grout be? | 4/12/2007 |
Q: We had Cerdomus Tuscany ceramic tiles installed in our kitchen floor and the installer finished the ...
A: I am familiar with that style of tile and the difficulty of a proper grout job to accompany it. ...
|
| Long Term Consequences of Non-sanded Grout on 1/4" Tile Joints | 4/11/2007 |
Q: Perry - First, thanks so much for offering your knowledge to the masses! We hired a contractor ...
A: I am sorry for your dilemma Adam. Not only did you give him the "maximum" allowable spacer he also ...
|
| Travertine Repair/Sealing | 4/10/2007 |
Q: My daughter just dumped a metal bar stool over onto the travertine floor...it chipped a hole about ...
A: If you still had the piece that chipped out you could brush away the small loose particles and super ...
|
| mold under calking in marble shower stall | 4/10/2007 |
Q: What type of cleaning product should we use to remove the mold found under the calking. Can a ...
A: Standard caulking will not reject the mold or mildew spoors that can easily penetrate the material ...
|
| Will laminates | 4/10/2007 |
Q: Our vinyl kitchen floor became scorched after three years from an enclosed gas fireplace with a 10 ...
A: Hey Benmanny, While there may be secondary Infrared radiated heat into the surrounding floor ...
|
| Outdoor tiling | 4/8/2007 |
Q: I want to use ceramic 12X12 field tiles around my pool deck. The deck will be made of treated ...
A: Well Brenda....you ask me on the one hand if you can tile your deck and then in nearly the same ...
|
| Will laminates "take the heat"? | 4/7/2007 |
Q: Our vinyl kitchen floor became scorched after three years from an enclosed gas fireplace with a 10 ...
A: Any time the temperature is above 120*, were it water,it would be a scalding water able to deliver ...
|
| Bathroom floor tile | 4/4/2007 |
Q: I have done some tile work before as a do-it-yourself home owner. I would like to do my bathroom ...
A: I would say yes with one caveat. You don't know how well the Pro installer put things down as a fair ...
|
| RE: porcelain tile installation over concrete | 4/4/2007 |
Q: My recently purchased home's bathroom has some plumbing issues before we moved in. The plumber ...
A: Ok Angie, What I am thinking is going to sound a little goofy to you but bear in mind I have to ...
|
| installing tile floor on concrete | 4/4/2007 |
Q: Perry, I spent a few hours yesterday tearing out two layers of linoleum that had been applied over ...
A: Before you commit to installing the new tile I would like you to purchase a small quart can of ...
|
| Grout discoloration issues | 4/3/2007 |
Q: We had new ceramic tile installed last week. The grout chosen was a "Linen" color (med to light ...
A: It is not unusual to have some "mottling" or shading with a new install. A number of things can ...
|
| RE: porcelain tile installation over concrete | 4/3/2007 |
Q: My recently purchased home's bathroom has some plumbing issues before we moved in. The plumber ...
A: Hey Angie, Doesn't it just figure?...but I like your spunk, your ok in my book so lets just ...
|
| ti[e on covered outside porch | 4/3/2007 |
Q: Can you lay ceramic tile over a outside covered concrete porch?,and if so any kind of different ...
A: You most certainly can, it's done all the time. You will need to exercise a degree of wisdom when ...
|
| Laying Travertine over concrete | 4/3/2007 |
Q: We are refurbing an old school building into a home. It was built in the late 1930's. In the ...
A: Hey Jim, The "radiant" description of this kind of heat coupled with the laws of nature simply ...
|
| Travertine | 4/2/2007 |
Q: I am installing travertine with a friend that has experience installing tile. Neither of us are ...
A: I am surprised that you aren't installing the tile over Terrazzo rather than cement as I started my ...
|
| Grout Perimeter Joints? | 4/2/2007 |
Q: My wife decided to take on the task of laying Tile while I was traveling for business. My mistake ...
A: When I received your question I had to smile. I certainly won't add to what you already must be ...
|
| travertine tile installation | 4/2/2007 |
Q: I am planning on installing Travertine tile in a new addition of my house.The floor will be ...
A: While 16" o/c joists (which used to be the standard) is these days not so common. A single layer of ...
|
| outside tile | 4/2/2007 |
Q: I have a patio that consist of 4, 4ft by 4ft concrete slabs with a pebble finish on top. There are ...
A: If I understand you correctly you desire to make a single unified slab out of four individual ones? ...
|
| tile over existing concrete floor | 4/1/2007 |
Q: We are in the process of ripping up our old ceramic tiles in our bathroom. There is that looks to ...
A: Cracks in the slab is always a cause for concern when wanting to install a new tile floor. ...
|
| Laying Travertine over concrete | 4/1/2007 |
Q: We are refurbing an old school building into a home. It was built in the late 1930's. In the ...
A: If you have performed a critical examination of the cement slab and have noted that there isn't any ...
|
| Travertine Tile | 4/1/2007 |
Q: We are adding a master bedroom and bath. We are considering materials for the bathroom floor and ...
A: Well...at this moment I am in the process of finishing my basement and I have chosen to use a ...
|
| RE: porcelain tile installation over concrete | 3/31/2007 |
Q: My recently purchased home's bathroom has some plumbing issues before we moved in. The plumber ...
A: My first call would be to the plumber that you had come out originally and ask him what his plan is ...
|
| marble tiles in foyer have paw prints-not coming out | 3/31/2007 |
Q: which requires rinsing after use. So far no luck getting stains out (appears they are gone ...
A: The cleaning chemicals for Stone are not Universally exchangeable between the two materials ie: ...
|
| rug on hardwood | 3/30/2007 |
Q: We just installed a new hardwood floor and purchased an area rug for the room. We were advised to ...
A: You can purchase at your local Home Improvement Center "slip stops" in the carpet section that will ...
|
| cleaning COLORED grout in shower | 3/29/2007 |
Q: I have a dark,colored grout between my glazed porcelain tile in my walk-in shower. What foamy or ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck in the Mountains without a computer... I am not a fan of the ...
|
| Installing ceramic tile over hardwoods | 3/29/2007 |
Q: Is there anyway to install ceramic tile directly over my hardwood floor? Or will I need to tear the ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck in the Mountains with no computer... There is a way to ...
|
| Travertine tile installation | 3/28/2007 |
Q: Perry, I am looking to install 18X18 Travertine tiles on a plywood foundation floor. I am going to ...
A: Hey Colin, Are you sure??? Man I've been doing this a long time and I have never heard of a ...
|
| Marble Floor Restoration | 3/28/2007 |
Q: I have a 100-year-old marble floor in the entry hall of my brownstone which is completely filthy. I ...
A: I'll bet that you have full dimensional large format Carrera Marble @ your entry, beautiful indeed. ...
|
| concrete floor | 3/27/2007 |
Q: I presently have old ceramic tile in kitchen-dining area. It's in bad shape and needs to be ...
A: Well...I have been doing tile work for going on 30 years and my wife and I have been together for ...
|
| cracking travertine tile | 3/27/2007 |
Q: I have had several opinions from the builder and two tile people about my cracked l6" travertines ...
A: My heart goes out to you with this costly dilemma. The only positive thing I seen in this is the ...
|
| Replacing Ceramic tile on concrete floor | 3/27/2007 |
Q: I'm replacing the ceramic tile in a concrete shower floor. The pan was custom build some years ago ...
A: Well I can feel your pain believe me. But the solution is far less painful that what your panic ...
|
| Travertine tile installation | 3/26/2007 |
Q: Perry, I am looking to install 18X18 Travertine tiles on a plywood foundation floor. I am going to ...
A: Well part of the reason the floor has some give to it maybe because the floor truss's are set ...
|
| flooring | 3/26/2007 |
Q: i am in india. the marble floor in our new house has a lot of cuts through it. they say it is a ...
A: While I am not quite certain exactly what you mean by the statement "has a lot of cuts" when ...
|
| Tile floor grout | 3/25/2007 |
Q: What would cause holes and cracks in the grout after putting in new grout on tile floor? Is it ...
A: Typically two things happen when grouting after which pinholes or voids can come to light. One being ...
|
| Travertine installation | 3/24/2007 |
Q: I am using 12x12 x 7/16" travertine to cover an existing vinyl floor in my kitchen. The flooring ...
A: Well...for starters lets remove the existing vinyl and it's underlayment which is most likely a 1/4" ...
|
| tile floor prep | 3/24/2007 |
Q: I had to rip up some old tile that was glued down to a concrete floor. Now there is the glue that ...
A: Whatever is still on the concrete floor should be removed as far as you can down to the slab. Some ...
|
| Polished marble finish removal | 3/22/2007 |
Q: I have polished marble on the shower floor and worry about falls on the slick surface. Can the ...
A: You can indeed etch or hone the floor, you can even sand the surface with a palm sander and fine ...
|
| radiant heating floor system | 3/21/2007 |
Q: perry, pls recommend the best radiant heatin system on the market today i like to buy from small ...
A: There are basically two "camps" to choose from when someone wants to heat (warm) a floor so to ...
|
| Porcelain Tile Installation on a Cement Floor | 3/20/2007 |
Q: I am wanting to install porcelain tile on a cement slab (linoleum is there now). Should I pull the ...
A: For sure the linoleum has to go and as much of the old adhesive as well. Once you have removed as ...
|
| Finished edge for tile bathroom at door | 3/20/2007 |
Q: We are tiling a new bathroom and are trying to decide how to end at the door/threshold. There will ...
A: Without knowing how long it will be before the carpet will be installed you could install a 2" ...
|
| marble tiles | 3/20/2007 |
Q: would it be possible to lay marble tiles in the garden on hardcore or do we need to put concrete ...
A: Hey Mark, I'm not sure if this was your first question or your second one but I will follow up ...
|
| marble tiles | 3/20/2007 |
Q: could you help me please we are putting polished marble tiles on our patio in the garden , would ...
A: Well Mark...I am scratching my head somewhat over your desire to install "polished" Marble in an ...
|
| caulking marble | 3/19/2007 |
Q: I have a built in buffet in my dining room that has a tile top with a stained wood strip along the ...
A: My suggestion is to remove the old tile. I suspect that it is liquid nailed in and you should be ...
|
| Yellow Stain on Bathroom Tile From Backing of Rug | 3/19/2007 |
Q: I have two bathroom rugs in one of our bathrooms. The backing seems to have left a yellow stain on ...
A: If it is on the surface of the tile itself then most heavy duty cleanser's should take care of it. ...
|
| Floor Care | 3/19/2007 |
Q: I am wanting to Clean/Disinfect my Vinyl Asbestos Tile Flooring(Good Condition)which is over ...
A: If you were just to use a degreaser like Dawn any mild detergent will don just fine, only use a ...
|
| ceramic tile installation | 3/18/2007 |
Q: My husband recently installed 13x13 ceramic tiles on our bathroom floor. He did not wait the ...
A: While your hubby is a bit anxious moving through the steps to completion so long as the material had ...
|
| porcelain tile thinset stain | 3/15/2007 |
Q: I have charcoal colored porcelain tile with gray thinset stained on. Guess installer (a neighbor) ...
A: You don't mention what style of Porcelain you have ie: polished/textured ect...what you should try ...
|
| Liquid soap stain on polished marble | 3/15/2007 |
Q: A container of liquid soap was left sitting on the polished marble surround of my soaker tub and has ...
A: If I were you I would be a little disappointed with the sealer's performance at this point. The ...
|
| floor prep for ceramic tile | 3/14/2007 |
Q: We've pulled the linoleum off our concrete sub-floor, but the backing is still sticking to the ...
A: Well...welcome to the joyous stage of vinyl removal. If the white paper/plastic like backing is ...
|
| tile floor | 3/12/2007 |
Q: Do you need to leave a space between porcelain tile and the wall? It is being installed on a ...
A: Depending upon the thickness of the baseboard a 1/4" space is all that's required to allow any ...
|
| removing marble tiles | 3/10/2007 |
Q: We have a bathroom with a corner vanity that we want to replace. The marble tile was laid up to the ...
A: Forgive my tardiness my friend no excuses...my other job calls sometimes. If you can match the ...
|
| bathroom floor | 3/9/2007 |
Q: Our house was built in 1939. The bathroom floor has many many tiny little octagons, not sure if it ...
A: While I'm not at all sure why there appears to be a reluctance to inform you of things by your ...
|
| tiling | 2/25/2007 |
Q: I am tiling a whirlpool (4x4 tiles) And when I come to the corners (45 deg) how do I make a nice ...
A: I am assuming you are using a wetsaw for all your cuts so cutting inside 45* corners should be ...
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| Removing 70 year old varnish | 2/25/2007 |
Q: I'm trying to stip an old staircase to refinish and am having a time! I've used regular stripper ...
A: While I am specifically a volunteer in the flooring and carpeting section with wood and vinyl thrown ...
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| travertine mud | 2/24/2007 |
Q: ------------------------------------------- The text above is a follow-up to ... thanks for your ...
A: Hey Susan welcome back, Sorry to hear that things didn't come together as you had hoped. Sadly ...
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| tile on outside porch | 2/24/2007 |
Q: I have a 4'x13' front porch made of wood. The front door has a 3/4" threshold. I've been told that ...
A: If you were to simply switch the sizing of your underlayment to a 1/4" material then you will be ...
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| grout | 2/23/2007 |
Q: 9 months ago we had vinyl removed and ceramic tile put in kitchen, 2 bathrooms & entry. The grout ...
A: I do not know to what extent you were given a warranty for the work that was performed but typically ...
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| Marble Discoloration | 2/21/2007 |
Q: I had my bathroom remodeled in August of 06 using White Carrera marble. I have cleaned it using ...
A: Hey Rich, Ok knowing what we know we have to focus on other possibilities. This is a mystery ...
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| Marble Discoloration | 2/20/2007 |
Q: I had my bathroom remodeled in August of 06 using White Carrera marble. I have cleaned it using ...
A: Hey Rich welcome back.... Well that is an unusual symptom I must say...while an iron content ...
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| grout disaster | 2/17/2007 |
Q: i bought a new house and decided to put all the first floor using marbles. I am afraid to do butt ...
A: With a standard Marble joint of 1/16" the spacing is not unusual so you are all right there. With so ...
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| ceramic tile over concrete | 2/16/2007 |
Q: I have a two year old home built on a concrete slab with ceramic tile covering a large area of the ...
A: I am wondering why this crack wasn't addressed prior to you taking possession of the home. Stress ...
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| Travertine Floor | 2/16/2007 |
Q: WE have a new home, no floors but cement slab. I have been researching travertine. quite confused ...
A: I am supposing that you have purchased a large format Travertine, possibly honed as that is a very ...
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| floor prep | 2/4/2007 |
Q: I currently have a bathroom floor that is linoleum over 1/2" plywood over 5/8" floorboards that sit ...
A: Your floor assembly is about as high as I would want to go so in order for things to appear "normal" ...
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| tile in front of fireplace | 2/3/2007 |
Q: The carpet in front our fire place is damaged, and we want to replace an area with two rows of 12" x ...
A: The easiest way to accomplish your goal is to pull the carpet back from where it is presently tucked ...
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| Granite tiles | 1/29/2007 |
Q: We are lookoing to install granite tiles on our countertops,can we install them over our current ...
A: When your investing a significant amount of hard earned cash like Granite you better do it right. ...
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| Ceramic Tile over concrete | 1/28/2007 |
Q: Mr. Vellenga, I am putting a ceramic tile floor (16x16) in recently finished basement, about 650 Sq ...
A: I can relate to your questions as I am finishing my basement as well and have similar concerns in ...
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| tar on linoleum floor | 1/21/2007 |
Q: I can't get tar off my new linoleum floor. Is there a specific cleaner I need to use, so it doesn't ...
A: You can go to your local Auto Parts Store and purchase a "bug and tar" remover that is formulated ...
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| tile color | 1/20/2007 |
Q: I just tiled my bath and I don't like the grout color, can I make the grout darker someway?
A: You have two easy options and one hard one and you can guess what the hard one is....first is to ...
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| Asbestos 9 by 9 flooring | 1/20/2007 |
Q: What do you know about asbestos floor tile. I recently assisted a friend in tearing up a kichen, ...
A: At some point the foreboding fear of "asbestos" will pass into the past as the material will have ...
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| laminate flooring | 1/20/2007 |
Q: I went to a laminate flooring center and found some flooring i really liked, but i am a little ...
A: Laminate flooring has become fairly popular in the last 5 years and for good reason. The stuff has ...
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| sanded grout on non-sanded grout | 1/13/2007 |
Q: We had 2x2 tumbled-stone laid for a shower floor 10 days ago. The installer used non-sanded grout ...
A: This is a common occurance when a non-sanded grout is used with an unlikely candidate like tumbled ...
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| flooring and pets | 1/12/2007 |
Q: I have a cocker spaniel who has a problem urinating in my foyer, where it is carpeted. I'd like to ...
A: Years ago I too had a "party colored" Cocker Spaniel...oh Lord. There were times when I would have ...
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| Matching floor color with baseboard and trim | 1/8/2007 |
Q: I would like to know if it is alright to have DARK WOOD flooring which matches the DARK WOOD ...
A: My standard answer for these particular scenario's is..."it depends". While I am not a fan of dark ...
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| subfloor and travertine, lots of questions | 1/8/2007 |
Q: I am in the process of remodeling my master bathroom. I have gutted the room and am now putting down ...
A: I am not a fan of Hardy backer board so I would go with "Wonderboard" which I have used for years as ...
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| Kitchen Floor | 1/8/2007 |
Q: We recently had ceramic tile put on our kitchen floor. The person who did the work layed the tiles ...
A: Typically there are a couple things that can contribute to any particular failure. The first being ...
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| Ceramic vs Marble | 1/7/2007 |
Q: What are the advantages/disadvantages of ceramic vs natural stone when it comes to floor surfaces ...
A: Hundreds of volumes of books and articles have been espoused with all the virtues of both materials ...
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| travertine | 1/7/2007 |
Q: We have installed 24x24 trvertine. what is the next step. I know it needs to be sealed. Does it need ...
A: God choice on your floor, love the look and you will have decades of pleasure from it. The ...
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| laminate flooring damage | 1/7/2007 |
Q: I have Pergo laminate flooring which has several pieces that need to be replaced. Of course they ...
A: Your laminate floor is stacked and staged similarly to the way a traditional "nail down" job ...
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| Travartine over Vinyal Floor | 1/6/2007 |
Q: We wanted install tumbled Travartine in our bathrooms.To keep it at the same level as our hardwood ...
A: Certainly my "opinion" is not unique in the Industry in regards to installing any kind of material ...
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| travertine mud | 12/23/2006 |
Q: we just had a new kitchen floor installed using hardiboard underlayment. no grout has yet been put ...
A: If this were just a Ceramic Tile job I would be very unhappy...but with an expensive Natural Stone ...
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| tile installation | 12/5/2006 |
Q: I purchased a condo conversion recently and there is laminate in the kitchen, which looks great, but ...
A: If the laminate is Pergo or something like it then if a cut is made through the laminate about a ...
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| Stone selection/qualifying an installer | 12/5/2006 |
Q: Would like to get your opinion on granite vs. marble and honed vs. polished for a small (75sq.ft.) ...
A: Between the two Stones Granite is far more dense and so it's way harder. This would be a better ...
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| Vinegar on marble | 12/4/2006 |
Q: I did not know the foyer was marble because the kitchen is ceramic. I used vinegar. Iss there ...
A: Hey Barb, Well.....we use a product named "Granite Magic" as a topical coating but I am out in ...
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| Is floor tile (travertine) suitable for wet areas? | 12/4/2006 |
Q: We are considering installing travertine or some other type of tile on the bathroom & laundry room ...
A: Certainly Ceramic Tile is perfectly designed for bathrooms in particular and really all areas of ...
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| marble flooring | 12/4/2006 |
Q: 1. What is sealer before and after the install. Here in Goa India, marble fitter ( most of them are ...
A: Hey Avinash, Sealer is a liquid chemical that is applied as a coating to the surface of (in ...
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| Tile Sizes | 12/3/2006 |
Q: I am currently building a new home and selected 16 X 16 inch tile. After the tile was laid it look ...
A: My first thought is are you sure that you got what you selected? Getting confused salespeople or a ...
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| marble flooring | 12/3/2006 |
Q: Is granite flooring hazardous to health by virtue of its being radio-active material releasing RADON ...
A: Well...I am not a geologist and your concerns in regards to Radon gas is a question I have not (up ...
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| installing backerboard | 12/2/2006 |
Q: We are considering how to install a new flooring in a rental kitchen area. For ceramic tile, we ...
A: With these questions I get through allexperts there has always been one primary difficulty for me ...
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| Ceramic tile installation | 12/2/2006 |
Q: I installed ceramic tile in a basement bathroom on a concrete floor. I used TEC pre-mixed tile ...
A: Hey Bob, Well...not that your interested in a long compound list of the chemical makeup of ...
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| Ceramic Tile Prep | 12/2/2006 |
Q: ..I think this project is getting out of my level of comfort as I seem to have another issue ...
A: Hey Scott, Well I thought I had it beat tonight but here you come....no problem ok? It is ...
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| chips/nicks in grout | 12/1/2006 |
Q: Perry, My husband and I had ceramic tile installed throughout our family room and kitchen this past ...
A: Hey Diana, Thank you for your kind words and understanding the "sometime" weather challenges ...
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| floor tiles bulging | 12/1/2006 |
Q: Perry, Thanks very much for your response. Even worse. The previous owners had decorated with many ...
A: Hey Mary Jo, No my dear you do not sound like an idiot. You are like many thousands of trusting ...
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| storage of glass mosaic tile sheets | 11/30/2006 |
Q: Can I store glass mosaic tile sheets at a temperature that may go below freezing (in a garage. ...
A: You can indeed store this material in your garage, freezing or otherwise only allow the material to ...
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| installation of travertine tile and durability | 11/29/2006 |
Q: We are looking to do our kitchen floor over in a travertine tile 18x18 what is the required prep ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| removing glue down carpet over ceramic tile | 11/29/2006 |
Q: I have a situation where I need to remove glued down down over ceramic tile....how can I get all the ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| Ceramic tile installation | 11/28/2006 |
Q: I installed ceramic tile in a basement bathroom on a concrete floor. I used TEC pre-mixed tile ...
A: I am not a fan of using a "pre-mixed" adhesive unless it is a "mastic" only for installing wall tile ...
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| hardibacker installation | 11/28/2006 |
Q: I have been told that to ensure a good surface to install tile over that I want to put down 2 layers ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| Ceramic Tile Prep | 11/28/2006 |
Q: Perry...thanks for the info. As it turns out I removed the slate and then poured leveler on top ...
A: Hey Scott, Forgive my tardiness Scott as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to ...
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| Outside thinset | 11/27/2006 |
Q: I was wanting to use some thinset on the cracks in my driveway. My question is which thinset can you ...
A: You would be better served by not using thinset to fill cracks but rather use a "driveway crack ...
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| Grout Sealer | 11/27/2006 |
Q: Howdy Perry Vellenga. You have helped me in your answers to other people's problems. And great ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| vinyl adhesive | 11/27/2006 |
Q: I would like to install vinyl tiles on concrete floor using Henry 430 vinyl composition tile ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| porcelain tile over hardwood floor | 11/27/2006 |
Q: I am wanting to install porcelain tiles in my small kitchen. The existing flooring is hardwood ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| grout | 11/27/2006 |
Q: Just finished tiling a foyer with ceramic tile. I'm not sure what brand of grout to buy. I had ...
A: Forgive my tardiness Deb as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and ...
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| Slate Tile | 11/26/2006 |
Q: We have just finished a home renovation. We put 4" slate tile in the MBR shower and the same tile ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| chips/nicks in grout | 11/26/2006 |
Q: Perry, My husband and I had ceramic tile installed throughout our family room and kitchen this past ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| floor tiles bulging | 11/26/2006 |
Q: I just bought a house with tile floors installed in all areas but the bedrooms. I noticed ...
A: Forgive my tardiness as I was stuck over in the Central Rocky Mountains due to a snow storm and I ...
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| marble tile/thinset installation - stain | 11/26/2006 |
Q: even though the thinset we used was white (the tiles were all the same color prior to installation). ...
A: Forgive my tardiness in answering your question as I was stuck in the Central Rocky Mountains and ...
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| Tiling over pressure-treated plywood | 11/26/2006 |
Q: I recently installed a landing made of pressure-treated lumber. (I have 9 large concrete steps ...
A: The "one" installer who cautioned you about installing over the pressure treated plywood is correct. ...
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| Porcelain tile installation | 11/25/2006 |
Q: Can I install porcelain tile over vinyl laminate flooring on a concrete sub-floor, or do I have to ...
A: I have to say no to installing anything over the top of vinyl. It will never be positively secured ...
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| lanai floor | 11/25/2006 |
Q: Peter, we have a painted textured concrete lanai floor that has small unsightly cracks, and we would ...
A: You can indeed tile over the surface providing that you do some necessary preparation ahead of time. ...
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| Vinegar on marble | 11/19/2006 |
Q: I did not know the foyer was marble because the kitchen is ceramic. I used vinegar. Iss there ...
A: Well the vinegar monster has raised his head once again. I have heard this dreadful scenario played ...
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| ceramic tile floor with cracks in grout | 11/19/2006 |
Q: Perry, I had a porcelain tile floor installed in my kitchen, bathroom, fower, and hallway several ...
A: Many times when underlayment is layed down...in particular any cement board, there is a certain ...
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| slate floors | 11/19/2006 |
Q: I am considering harvesting some slat for flooring in a kitchen. Is there a standard thickness to ...
A: Well...I admire your "spunk" I must say. "Harvesting" your own Slate will not be an easy task, and ...
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| Travertine | 11/18/2006 |
Q: I am preparing to tile a bathroom floor and walls with 8x8 and 4x4 beige travertine tiles ...
A: Well...the answer is yes....and no. Even a minimal layer of Ditra which is a 1/8" membrane would ...
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| tiling on particle board | 11/18/2006 |
Q: Our house (a pole home) was built about 13 years ago and a small entry area was tiled over particle ...
A: Well I almost thought that I wouldn't have to answer anymore questions in regards to an old ...
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| floor transitions | 11/11/2006 |
Q: I hope you can help me. I am volunteering at a church that is in need of transition ...
A: There are a large number of cement based float materials that can be used to "feather" from the ...
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| Why is my grout sanding off when I brush it? | 11/11/2006 |
Q: I have a new installation of sanded grout on the shower walls. When I went to brush it off before ...
A: Well the contractor is a jerk for trying to suggest that he isn't resposible for his workmanship. ...
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| Ceramic Tile Prep | 11/11/2006 |
Q: I am getting ready to put down tile in my foyer. The existing floor is parquet which I have ...
A: Get some chemical gloves and a bunch of terrycloth rags. Then buy a quart or gallon (depending on ...
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| Save the Marble | 11/10/2006 |
Q: I had a contractor do some real bad sloppy work on installing marble in my shower. I paid of $660 ...
A: Sadly Caren, I doubt it. If they were installed with thinset then the bond will be such that when ...
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| polyurethane or epoxy flooring for residential | 11/10/2006 |
Q: Can epoxy or polyurethane flooring be used in a home. My den takes a lot of abuse and I need a ...
A: Both epoxy and polyurethane are not really a flooring...they are a "coating", a paint of sorts. You ...
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| transition strips | 11/10/2006 |
Q: I have layed ceramic tile over a cement floor. Now I am coming to the transition between the carpet ...
A: I would just get out the Yellow Pages and let you fingers do the walking here. Call up any local ...
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| Trim | 11/10/2006 |
Q: I have been remodeling my 1988 townhouse extensively and I find that after everything is completed, ...
A: Well....I am primarily a floorcovering expert Nabeela but I do have a suggestion based on typically ...
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| Tile installation over concrete floor | 11/9/2006 |
Q: I'm having porcelain tiles installed on top of my concrete basement floor. The old linoleum tiles ...
A: The powdery substance is most likely mineral deposits that may have leeched out of the cement slab ...
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| ceramic tile floor over unheated garage | 11/9/2006 |
Q: Perry, We are considering putting ceramic tile floor in our kitchen which is over an unheated ...
A: There will be a degree of temperature difference between the spaces during Seasonal changes but that ...
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| vinyl flooring preparation | 11/9/2006 |
Q: I have new construction osb. Can I glue the vinyl right on the osb?
A: OSB is not an approved substrate for having anything glued to it, that's not to say that it hasn't ...
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| Removing thin set from tile | 11/5/2006 |
Q: I had 20" x 20" tiles delam from a gypcrete substrate when the radiant heat tubing leaked (baseboard ...
A: For what you need Bill the grinder is the best way to go. The key thing is to have the tile evenly ...
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| tile shower floor | 11/5/2006 |
Q: I had a friend of mine show up awhile back bragging about what an expert tile setter he was and ...
A: Man,I hope you didn't have to pay this "expert" friend to do this for you. Well...you can take a ...
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| tile | 11/5/2006 |
Q: I bought a house that where in one of the bathrooms the walls are tile and then it meets a tub. They ...
A: As there aren't a long list of colors available to Silicone (white/black/almond/clear/opaque/bronze) ...
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| backsplash liner | 11/4/2006 |
Q: We are installing a backsplash and will be using Daltile Urban Metal wall liners. The design will ...
A: The only downside is if no grout gets between the liner bars then there would be access for water to ...
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| cabinet install of ceramic tile | 11/4/2006 |
Q: Perry, Our tile installer completely tiled the entire kitchen. I am used to screwing and nailing the ...
A: The easiest way to ensure a connection to the floor with your cabinets is to use "Tapcon" screws and ...
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| Granite vs.Vitrified tiles | 10/29/2006 |
Q: I need to know the pros & cons of Granite Flooring as compared with Vitrified Tiles.And what would ...
A: Vitrified Tiles have a very high resistance to water absorption and for the most part are impervious ...
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| Traviertine with Dogs | 10/29/2006 |
Q: I really love those 18" X 18" Travertine tiles, Been thinking of them to do my kitchen and dining ...
A: The Travertine will stand the test of time so long as they are the "honed" Travertine rather than ...
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| Vinyl Flooring | 10/28/2006 |
Q: I have just removed the old vinyl from our bathroom. What do I use to remove the sticky glue off ...
A: Get a quart of Mineral Spirits from your local Home Improvement Center and have a handful of clean ...
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| Marble finish damaged by pumpkins | 10/28/2006 |
Q: We put the kids' pumpkins on display on our marble tiled hearth about a week before Halloween. ...
A: I'm afraid that there isn't much else you can do for this problem but to call a Marble Restoration ...
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| Marble grout lines | 10/28/2006 |
Q: We are putting marble tile in a low traffic foyer and hall area, approx 100 square feet. The tile ...
A: Congratulations on your new Marble floor, and along with the tight joints things are as they should ...
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| vct tile over ground level basemente floor | 10/28/2006 |
Q: If the basement does have some issue with moisture, is there a glue/cement that could be used to ...
A: Hey Charlene, Well the only vinyl glue that I have experience with is a water soluble....but I ...
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| Removing Thin-set from loose floor tiles | 10/28/2006 |
Q: Our ceramic tile is releasing from our concrete slab floor. The thin-set is stuck to the tiles but ...
A: Sorry for the problem that you are experiencing but there is no satisfactory method for thinset ...
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| marble flooring | 10/27/2006 |
Q: I'd like to know what kind of marble i should choose for my living room (1000 sq ft area): ...
A: The fact that you are wanting to install Marble in a large section of your home tells me that you ...
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| vct tile over ground level basemente floor | 10/27/2006 |
Q: we had vct tile installed in our basement in July. I just recently noticed a substantial amount of ...
A: Basements have long been notorious as havens of moisture, in particular in humid regions of the ...
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| Glazing dull floor tiles | 10/26/2006 |
Q: We have recently put down a new floor in a large hallway. They are large brown / black in colour ...
A: There are of course sealers and topical coatings that can be applied but for the long term it will ...
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| Tile runs through threshhold | 10/26/2006 |
Q: I am replacing the existing tile in my bathroom. I am using a diffent pattern tile to replace it. ...
A: It's not all that important that the tile break with the hallway tile be a half tile. What is ...
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| prep for porcelain tile floor | 10/25/2006 |
Q: Tonight I started taking up the baseboards, the carpet, its pad,and the strips that hold it down in ...
A: Hey Lucy, I am encouraged by your attitude, I think most folks would be crying about now, but ...
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| replacing ceramic tile bathroom floor | 10/23/2006 |
Q: My bathroom (white six sided ceramic tile 4 1/2" x 4 12") floor (which was replaced 8 years ago due ...
A: Sorry for the trouble you are having, It's not all that uncommon (sadly) that these things do ...
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| Grouting tumbled marble backsplash | 10/23/2006 |
Q: I have already installed my backsplash and now I am looking for the best way to grout it. I want to ...
A: Well the person who suggested using a cake decorating bag is close. We do call it a "bakers bag" but ...
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| heated ceramic tile | 10/23/2006 |
Q: I am looking at various heating elements (like zmesh) to install underneath tile in a bathroom (to ...
A: Well as I have stated in this forum many times I am a big fan of electric mats and not a big fan of ...
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| Removal of linoleum - Prepare for DuraCeramic Install | 10/22/2006 |
Q: I just wanted to say thanks!! We bought some bigger (and better scrapers) and we used hot soapy ...
A: Hey Dawn, That's terrific. I know only too well how difficult this sort of renovation can be. ...
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| prep for porcelain tile floor | 10/22/2006 |
Q: Between the plywood subflooring and the particle board, there is a thin layer of a black ...
A: Hey Lucy, What you are seeing is most likely "felt paper" more often used when installing a ...
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| Marble tiles on top of ceramic | 10/22/2006 |
Q: First of I am a novice and have no experience with tiling. I have however read many ...
A: I'm glad you stopped in to see me first as there appears to be a couple confused thoughts here. ...
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| Floor choices for Kitchen | 10/22/2006 |
Q: Okay, My huband and I finally decided on a floor for the kitchen,,, Marble. However, we have 3 boys, ...
A: There is a simple solution here. Back in the days when I had the same family "makeup" that you have ...
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| Installing flooring over ceramic tile | 10/22/2006 |
Q: We are moving into an older home which has an extensive amount of ceramic tile throughout. We are ...
A: There are a couple things you need to consider if you want to pursue this particular design. One is ...
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| ceramic tile | 10/21/2006 |
Q: My girlfriend's brother wants to put green drywall under ceramic tile in my bathroom. Is this a ...
A: In years past Jared that is what was done for a "standard" install. Now a days there is little call ...
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| Removal of linoleum - Prepare for DuraCeramic Install | 10/21/2006 |
Q: We are getting ready to install DuraCeramic Congoleum flooring. We have started to remove the ...
A: Before you give up completely lets try getting the remaining material wet which will soften it up ...
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| Hardwood vs Marble Performance | 10/20/2006 |
Q: We are buying a house and we are debating between installing hardwood or marble in our ...
A: This is one of those rare moments when I have to recommend against "both" of the materials that you ...
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| prep for porcelain tile floor | 10/20/2006 |
Q: The bath vanity was installed years ago on top of particle board that is over the plywood ...
A: Whenever I was faced with this difficult scenario my choice was always to grab my trusty Makita ...
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| replacing carrera marble tiles | 10/19/2006 |
Q: Perry - I have become quite frustrated in trying to replace 13 tiles in my bathroom. I am now on ...
A: Well, bless your heart you sure have given it the old "College" try. I have addressed in this forum ...
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| tile | 10/19/2006 |
| Q: I am trying to remove ceram |
