For questions generally relating to stone or ceramic tile, including selection, preparation, installation, maintenance, cleaning, and removal.
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Should I use thinset or silicone to reattach shower tiles? [duplicate]
My tiled shower needs to be repaired only where the walls meet the floor. While preparing for this by taking out the old grout, two small pieces of floor tile came out. Each piece that came loose is a ...
1
vote
2answers
37 views
What is the best choice for patching and leveling concrete before tile install?
We have a small area of concrete foundation that we need to patch and level prior to ceramic tile installation (12×12 tiles). It is concrete that we chipped the old tile mortar off of, so there are ...
2
votes
2answers
89 views
Why is my bathroom floor raised up very high?
I know that it needs to be raised a little bit so that the floor can slope towards the drain. But on my floor the slant towards the drain is shallow, but the floor of the bathroom is much, much higher ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
Should I seal bathroom ceiling and wall tiles?
The previous owner put tiles around the bathtub like ceiling and side walls. I wonder if I need to seal these tiles in order to protect them from the water? Will it increase its lifespan?
3
votes
2answers
95 views
Can I apply caulk over caulk?
I just had my shower re-tiled and the contractor used a cream colored sanded caulk instead of standard white silicone (without asking me).
I want it to be white but he refuses to come back. Can I ...
3
votes
1answer
396 views
How do I remove mineral stains from tiles?
The water in our apartment has higher salt levels, which ultimately makes stains on tile. I tried to remove them with various bleaching agents, but with no effect. Can anyone help?
2
votes
3answers
7k views
Should tile floors be cleaned with vinegar only? Is the advice against using other solutions a myth?
After we had ceramic tile installed at our house, the company said we should just clean with vinegar and water mixture. However, I haven't been able to find anywhere online that says that using ...
6
votes
3answers
234 views
Is it bad that my porcelain tiles were stored outside in the rain?
I just picked up my porcelain floor tiles from the warehouse. They were stored outside in the rain for a week. They're still wet and being aired out now. But they smell of mold. Is this bad news?
4
votes
3answers
5k views
What thinset should I use?
I will be tiling a tub/shower area using 8x10 ceramic tile with glass mosaic tile accent rows.
I see about half a dozen varieties of thin-set on the market:
Weights:
- 25lb
- 50lb
Types:
- ...
3
votes
1answer
78 views
Should I use underlay when tiling a bathroom?
Recently I had a water leak in the bathroom.
I noticed water spilling out from the tiles grouting and I removed them to prevent any more water penetration.
I noticed that the following layers have ...
5
votes
2answers
109 views
Should I use self-leveling concrete or mortar to level a patched area of concrete prior to tiling it?
I had to repair cast iron pipe in the basement. This left me with a 2ft x 3ft hole in my tiled basement floor. We cut along the grout lines, so I just need to replace the tile and concrete.
Well, ...
3
votes
2answers
75 views
Is it feasible to cover low-pile carpet with a 1/4" subfloor and vinyl tile in a kitchen?
Scenario: I'm the owner of a multi-unit 2 story apartment. The people living up and down are cousins to each other and are in the process of switching apartments -- long story, don't ask. The upstairs ...
3
votes
3answers
138 views
Is it a problem that my toilet flange is 3/8" below the surrounding tile?
My tile setter had to elevate the tiles around the toilet hole in order to make up for some unevennesses. As a result, the toilet flange is approx. 3/8" below the surrounding tile. Can that be ...
2
votes
2answers
239 views
How do I transition between tile and drywall in a tub surround?
I'm working on a tub surround, which is about to be tiled. And the last piece I need to figure out, is how to transition between finished tile and adjacent wall.
This is how my wall looks right now.
...
2
votes
2answers
131 views
How can I clean oil stains from vitreous floor tiles?
My vitreous floor tile gets dirty very quickly. It retains the stains of oil, or any other wet material. I have even seen water leaving temporary wet stains while cleaning them.
Is this normal ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
How difficult is it to cut a big (flange) hole in brittle marble tile?
How difficult is it to cut a big (flange) hole in brittle marble tile?
I am just asking this question here because, even though I will not be laying my tiles myself, my tile setter is currently ...
1
vote
1answer
101 views
How can I smooth a seam between cement board?
I have a joint between two sheets of cement board that forms a small ridge elevated maybe 1/8" relative to the centers of either board. I was wondering if extra thinset on both sides can be used to ...
4
votes
2answers
939 views
How to seal marble tile mixed with glass?
I recently put up a tile backsplash with mosaic marble and glass tiles. I'm preparing to apply sealer to the stone before I start grouting. It's several hundred 1/2" x 2" to 7" mixed in a random ...
9
votes
4answers
541 views
How can I remove a single cracked floor tile?
How can I remove a single damaged floor tile without damaging the surrounding tiles? Is there anything that will help the replacement tile from cracking in the same way?
3
votes
1answer
116 views
How to tile over shower wall surround flange?
Background
I've been following this guide from Family Handyman on installing a fiberglass tub surround, and am to the point where I need to tile over the nailing flange. They say to put 1/4" tile ...
4
votes
2answers
112 views
What is a recommended height for tile edging?
I'm trying to put up a tiled mosaic back splash and I'm trying to figure out the profile height for the edging. My tiles are 1/4" (6mm) thick.
Should I be getting an edge where the profile height ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
How do I determine the correct tile trim depth?
I'm installing some large format (406mm x 406mm) 12mm travertine tiles on some walls in a bathroom. I'd like to finish some exposed tile edges within some aluminium tile trim. However, I'm unsure ...
3
votes
1answer
85 views
What maintenance is needed for subway tiles?
I see many kitchens with subway tiles on their backsplash in design magazines, but this isn't a popular design here in Singapore.
It seems like most people consider it a durable option, but I have ...
2
votes
3answers
18k views
Can I use my shower while grout is curing?
I just recaulked my front bath and accidentally popped loose a tile in the process. I reinstalled the tile and allowed that to set before grouting. I just finished grouting the tile, and I read on ...
2
votes
2answers
200 views
How can I affix this wood transition piece?
I made a perfect looking transition to go from wood floating floor to tile for a bathroom. Problem is that this is where the old marble transition was. Can I set the transition with mortar? If not ...
4
votes
2answers
426 views
How do I fill a gap between wall tile and acrylic shower base
The bottom row of a newly installed tile wall has a gap with the shower base that is about 1/2 inch wide, too wide to caulk. How can this be filled in a way that will not crack, will make a water ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
Is this the proper procedure for attaching a mosaic to the wall?
When I began this mosaic project, it was suggested, because the tiles and stone chips were different thicknesses, I lightly glue the tiles, upside down, to brown craft paper. the mosaic is complete, ...
5
votes
2answers
199 views
What is the easiest way to remove the old grout?
I am going to regrout the tile in the bath/shower area. What is the easiest way to remove the old grout?
1
vote
1answer
132 views
How do I remove spots from my new ceramic tiles?
I just laid dark brown ceramic tile in my kitchen. After grouting and cleaning I still have spots and round circles (from the cleaning bucket's bottom) on the floor. I have tried soap and water and ...
5
votes
2answers
204 views
Do I need water protection over tile grout in my bathtub?
A handyman suggested to me that I might need to periodically apply water-sealant to the tile and grout on the tile wall of my bathtub. Is he correct?
If so, what's a good sealant to use, how is it ...
3
votes
2answers
382 views
Should I use mastic or thinset for ceramic tile backsplash in kitchen?
I am about to install a tile backsplash in our kitchen, using these tiles, in 2" x 4" "mosaic" sheets.
When I tiled my bathroom I used thinset (unmodified on the floor and modified on the ...
2
votes
2answers
442 views
How can I prepare this concrete floor for tile?
I'm looking to replace an old carpet in my finished basement with tile. I've removed the carpet and found a surface with some peeling paint, which I've read needs to be removed since the thinset for ...
1
vote
3answers
171 views
Is there a type of cement that can be used to glue tiles to a wall?
My father told me there is a kind of cement which also acts as glue. This would be very useful for me to put back the tiles above my washbasin.
Is there really a cement that can glue tiles to the ...
2
votes
2answers
189 views
Can polyethylene backer rod be used to caulk (silicone) a ceramic tile shower wall to an acrylic base
I have to use some backing in order to caulk between tile walls and a shower base where the gap to be filled is 5/8 inch wide and 1 inch deep. Is polyethylene backer rod appropriate for use in a ...
4
votes
1answer
109 views
How should I clean stone surfaces prior to applying sealer?
I apply impregnating sealer to all my tile and stone surfaces annually.
I had been cleaning it with just soap and water, then letting the surface dry for a few minutes before applying the sealer. It ...
2
votes
1answer
67 views
Which tile cutter to use for commercial flooring tiles?
I am putting (vinyl?) commercial flooring tiles in one of my hallways. The product I've seen one guy (pro) use at a supermarket once was this:
Now, that baby is $200+. I was wondering whether the ...
1
vote
0answers
78 views
How do I reattach pool tiles?
The following tiles:
Have fallen off the side of the swimming pool here:
Questions: What should I use to stick them back on? I notice that they appear to have grouting between them. Is that a ...
2
votes
2answers
138 views
How do I patch my wall with tile along the seam?
I just removed the top 6" of tile from my bathroom wall which is tiled from the floor to about 4 feet up. I just didn't like the pattern of tiles at the top. The tile seems to have been attached to ...
4
votes
1answer
273 views
Can I ask my contractor to redo a tile job I'm not happy with?
Click on photo for full size
I had my bathroom renovated while I was away last week. I'm not happy with how the floor tile came out. I assumed the contractor would lay the tile out in a uniform way ...
4
votes
2answers
561 views
How do I properly cut pre-existing kitchen backsplash tile for new low voltage wall plates?
I'm doing a little bit of kitchen remodeling, overflow from my home theater remodeling. I'm adding some RCA input ports to a pre-existing low voltage wall plate that previously hosted just Cat5 and ...
4
votes
2answers
206 views
Should I remove nailed-down plywood before laying tile?
In my bathroom there is vinyl on top of plywood, which is nailed to the sub floor. Should I pry up the plywood before putting down cement backer board for tile, or can I go over the plywood?
3
votes
3answers
547 views
How can I attach a shelf to a tile wall in a repairable manner?
I am renting a flat and have permission from the landlord to put up shelves etc as long as "I don't wreck the place".
In the kitchen there is a lack of storage space, and a large blank tiled wall ...
0
votes
3answers
614 views
Can I lay new ceramic tile over old linoleum tile?
I want to re-tile my laundry room. The existing linoleum tile is glued directly to the concrete slab with some sort of black adhesive.
I don't want to pull up the old tile. If I put down backerboard ...
1
vote
1answer
296 views
How can I remove the tile from this wall?
Doing a tile removal on our master tub/shower. I'm pretty sure the tile is original to the house, which is 34 years old (1978). It's a 4 1/4 inch tile, that has been backed by dry wall. When I was ...
2
votes
1answer
192 views
Laying Tile Over Asbestos Floor Tile
In my laundry room, I've got asbestos floor tile. (The house was built in 1967.) The tile is laid on the concrete slab. Is it possible to lay ceramic penny tile over the asbestos tile if I put down ...
3
votes
1answer
105 views
How can I tile the raised edges in my basement?
I'm looking to tile a basement floor that was dug out about 6", so there is a roughly 6" tall x 4" wide raised concrete border around the whole room, as they didn't dig out the edges. This border is ...
4
votes
1answer
527 views
How do I install carpet tiles in a below grade room?
A few years ago, I saw an advertisement for carpet tiles that had a jagged edge so there would be less movement in the interlock between tiles, and prevented the need for glue. (would like to find ...
0
votes
2answers
229 views
How can I get my shower tiles really clean?
My shower tiles in my apartment are kind of nasty, and I've tried spraying them with Clorox Bleach Foamer and also Tilex:Mold & Mildew and then scrubbing with a magic eraser thing. I can try ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it safe to use Greenboard drywall in a shower?
I've seem a lot of people telling that greenboard drywall SHOULD NOT be used in bathroom and wet areas. However, in Brazil (where drywall is kind of a novelty yet) the manufactures recommend ...
4
votes
1answer
438 views
How do I install a glass tile backsplash on 1/2" drywall?
I am currently building a house and am at the point where the builder has just finished the drywall and is ready for the kitchen cabinets and countertops to be installed. There will be no backsplash ...
