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0 votes

Building shower curb directly on concrete

Pressure treated wood needs to dry out really well and will usually warp in the process so yes, stay away from it. You'd want to at least seal any untreated wood with a good sealer. Not sure why you'...
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0 votes

Building shower curb directly on concrete

Using untreated wood is ok if you are diligent about shielding it from any water. OR You can build your curb from bricks or concrete blocks ( not the 8x16, but the ...
  • 8,854
7 votes

Is mosaic tile a poor choice for a bathroom floor?

If you make a tiled walk in shower with the drain in the center, for water to drain properly the floor needs to be sloped towards the drain. So you need the floor to be an inverted pyramid. With large ...
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14 votes

Is mosaic tile a poor choice for a bathroom floor?

Mosaic tile looks nice, but it's HARD to clean. Mosaic tile has FAR more grout lines than large tile, and grout lines are MUCH harder to clean than the tile itself, both because the grout lines are ...
1 vote

Is it common to tile behind an OTR microwave?

Follow the microwave manufacturer's directions. All of the OTR microwave installation instructions I've ever seen require you to securely fasten the microwave to the wall by drilling into studs. Not ...
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9 votes

Is mosaic tile a poor choice for a bathroom floor?

No. Mosaic tiles can be an excellent choice for a bathroom floor. The 2x2 octagon/dot kind of tiles are popular in bathrooms. More often than not those types of tiles are especially suited to bathroom ...
  • 4,634
14 votes

Is mosaic tile a poor choice for a bathroom floor?

Mosaic tile is not a poor choice for a bathroom floor. Mosaic tile is harder to install than regular tile. Harder to cut, harder to lay out evenly, and harder to level. Find someone who is able and ...
  • 25.5k
2 votes

Layering clear caulk over colored caulk to create "fake" grouting

I buy a caulking that is close to the color of the original grout. I apply it, smooth it to a groove as close as I can to the original seams. Usually I tape both sides so the edges are perfectly ...
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3 votes

Is this cracked tile bathroom floor repairable?

I'm sure you could still buy sets/tiles like that. Get enough matching or almost-matching sets to relay the entire cracked portion. A slightly wider joint will be far less noticeable than a big stripe ...
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1 vote

Is this shower base worth fixing?

This shower floor is funnel shaped (an inverted cone) this gives a slight slope on the floor to allow drainage, this is not the only practical shape for a shower floor, but is certainly a valid way ...
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0 votes

Is this cracked tile bathroom floor repairable?

You can fill that crack with epoxy, but that won't make it much less evident. With no intended insults, that floor and the pink base board tile are so outdated that any repair would be incidental ...
  • 8,854
0 votes

Is this cracked tile bathroom floor repairable?

That is not a cosmetic crack. Unless you repair the reason for it, it will come again. But if you want to experiment then just remove one cracked tiles. Use a dremel tool with diamond blade and cut ...
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2 votes

Is this shower base worth fixing?

From the picture there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the base. The question you have to answer is; Did you have any problems with it? If it drained properly and did not leak, keep it. If ...
  • 8,854
2 votes

Is this shower base worth fixing?

It's not supposed to be level. If it was level, it would not drain. It appears to slope towards the drain, which is Actually A Good Thing ® But feel free to demolish it and build one dead level if you ...
  • 166k
3 votes

Can kitchen backsplash tiles be placed directly on drywall?

Cement or Drywall matters, but not for the reason you think You can use cement board or drywall, for a kitchen backsplash. In terms of stiffness it makes no difference. (Bathroom walls, and any tiled ...
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0 votes

Can kitchen backsplash tiles be placed directly on drywall?

Cementbord/backerboard is not required - plenty of examples of tile mounted to drywall exist. However: You're saving a very small part of the overall project cost (difference between drywall and ...
  • 166k
4 votes

Can kitchen backsplash tiles be placed directly on drywall?

You can. Backsplashes don't really get a lot of abuse or have to support foot traffic, etc. so it's just a matter of keeping the tiles stuck on. Cement board is best but it's not entirely necessary ...
  • 4,634
2 votes
Accepted

How to fix the gaps between kitchen counters and wall, if wall is not straight?

Make your walls flat for tiling or pay for it later. Tile wants to be installed on a flat surface. You can use tile leveling systems but the time spent to fix the wall issue with the finishing ...
3 votes

How to fix the gaps between kitchen counters and wall, if wall is not straight?

A few good counter top pros use a very accurate laser template. The counter is cut to the profile of the wall....BUT sometimes that isn't enough. Then this method is used: Once the counter is placed ...
  • 8,854
0 votes

Does tile adhesive change color of marble?

Yes, mortar can cause staining and can show along the edge of tiles. It's advisable to use a mortar that's the color of the tile, and some mortars are specifically designed for natural stone.
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1 vote

How to grind exposed edges of bathroom wall tile to fit a recessed medicine cabinet?

I had a similar project and I found that my Dremel tool with a diamond tile bit did a great job. May be a bit slower than an angle grider but you get precise control. I always draw an inside line ...
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