Tile Questions:

Tile Layout:

Question:

Do you have to start at the center of the room (floor) on every tile installation job??

Answer:

No, you always want a full tile at the main entrance to the room with the cuts to the wall. If you have other doors to the same room then start your layout from the main and work to the other. I always "dry set" my tile before I lay them, that way I know how much I have to cheat across the span to get a good layout. Once you get the layout, start at one side and work your way out. Gordon

Tile Installation Tools:

Question:

I watched an instructional video regarding cutting floor tiles around the toilet area. The installer used a grinder to cut the tile neatly. I purchased a tool and tried to cut some tile using the grinder and have learned that by using a grinder with a diamond cutting blade. What’s the trick? I can't cut the tile, nearly as good as using an inexpensive tile saw. What am I doing wrong that my grinder and diamond blade aren't cutting the tiles, like shown by the installer?

 Answer:

Professional tile installers use a peanut grinder, it’s small and handy, and they use them all the time. They are quicker and easier than a saw but not as forgiving. Unless you are going into the tile business, use what you are best at or practice on some scraps till you get the right technique and the grinder doesn't skip and run wild on you. Gordon

Commercial Tile Removal:

Question:

What is the best way to peel commercial tile off concrete floor? It is glued. I have already tried heating them.. Do they make some type of machine?

Answer:

I have had good luck with a spade bit on a rotor hammer, once you get the hang of it takes it up pretty well. I also have rented a piece of equipment to do the same job, it was an electric scraper, a little scary at first but pretty effective. You will probably have to patch and float the rougher spots where the glue pulled up the concrete, but it's really the only way. Heating as you probably know is not very effective but it also produces some very toxic vapors that I'm sure you don't want to breathe. Gordon

Tile Grout Removal:

Question:

How do I remove grout from tile in a bathroom after it has hardened?

 Answer:

Unfortunately there is no easy way to remove grout after it has hardened. Really all you can do is carefully scrape it off with a stiff putty knife. There are several products on the market that work pretty well, they are Muriatic acid based and will work but you have to be very careful and follow the directions to the letter. Gordon

Tile Thin Set Removal:

Question:

After removing old thin set mortar from my bathroom floor using a concrete grinder, what should I use if I need anything to prepare/flatten the floor for new ceramic tiles? Or would it be flat enough already after grinding off the old adhesive?

 Answer:

 Take a straight edge and lay it on the floor, swing it around looking for dips. Dry set the new tile making sure they sit flat. Thin set is just that, Thin Set, not to be confused with filler for leveling. You are doing the job right, keep up the good work. Gordon

Installing Ceramic Tile on Formica Back Splash:

Question:

Is it advisable to tile over a Formica back splash? if so, how do I do it?

Answer:

 I would get some 3/8 inch Hardi Backer and cut some strips just shy of the splash measurement and screw it securely in place. Other wise you won't have a good base for the tile to adhere to. It does bring your thickness out but the alternative of tearing the splash out is more work than having to trim out the top running edge. If you want to keep the Formica top and just tile the splash for accent, then there are several epoxy based adhesive that will work. Gordon

Re-Grouting Tile:

Question:

We just had our light-colored but dirty grout professionally cleaned and sealed yesterday. Today, most of the grout is still darker than the original color, almost as if it wasn't cleaned. Does it need a few days to fully dry and get back to its original light color after sealing? This grout is on the floor in the kitchen and hallways.

Answer:

 Typically after grout has a chance to dry it does lighten up a bit, but don't be surprised if you don't get an exact color match, the old stuff has been curing for a while and has been subject to spills and wear, and probably won't be as consistent as you might want it to be. Gordon

Thin Set and Grout:

Question:

I am installing a porcelain title hearth with Ultra-flex 2 as mortar. I have bought an epoxy grout as well, but this requires two separate operations, one for laying the tile and one later for grouting. Can I use the mortar mix as a grout and do both jobs at once?

 Answer:

Absolutely not! When adhering ceramic tile or porcelain to the base surface you need to use a grooved trowel so the tile will stick properly, air space between the grooves is critical. After a 24 hour waiting time then using grout to file the joints, grout and thin set mortar have different characteristics for each application and should be use accordingly, Gordon

Floor Prep for Peal and Stick Tile:

Question:

Have been told I need to remove the concrete sealer on my concrete floor before I can lay peel and stick tile. Would a self stick tile primer solve the problem???

 Answer:

 I believe that would work great, but if in doubt do your layout and try it in a spot that’s in the field so you can work on the spot and see if it adheres. Nothing ventured nothing gained, Gordon

Tile Removal:

 Question:

We are remodeling our bathroom and would like to take the tiles in a sheet, not as single tiles and then paint the wall. I need to know the best way to get the tiles off of the wall with the least amount of damage to the wall.

 Answer:

Depending on how much mastic (glue) the installers used on the tub or shower enclosure will determine how much of the wall will have to patched or scraped to make flush. It's hard to be dainty with it so just get it started and peel it off the best you can, you probably will have to do some patching so don't worry about it to much. Once you get it all stripped off, buy some 40 minute dry wall mud, mix it up and with a 9” drywall knife smooth out the rough spots. Don’t mix a lot as it dries pretty quick but the beauty is it won’t shrink as much either. Gordon

Ceramic Tile Weight:

 Question:

We own a ranch style house built in the mid 70's and it has a crawl space. Does ceramic tile weigh too much to be used as a replacement for the current vinyl floor covering? I believe my husband and brother in law trying to get out of a home improvement project, what do you think?

 Answer:

I started in construction in 1971 and have never ever found a situation where you couldn't put a tile floor on a raised foundation. Wonderboard and or Hardi backer don't weight that much, especially when the weight is spread over the joists and unless you are choosing Decor Exterior pavers (1 1/2 thick) I believe, in my professional opinion that the boys are just trying to avoid work. Gordon

Granite Tile Installation Issues:

Question:

We have a friend that installed 18x18 Granite Tiles a little too quickly. Apparently, they were not leveled and have differences as high as 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch in several places. Please help with the best possible solution to level this without having to remove them.

 Answer:

If granite tiles are the natural rough cut variety they will vary in thickness by the numbers you gave me if they were set on a level surface with the proper sized trowel joints. So unless the customer did not follow the proper procedures, there is no possible way to remedy this short of tearing out and starting over. Gordon

Cracking Tile:

Question:

I have tile that is cracking on two bathroom walls, in the shower. The walls are on the same side of the house. There is a hairline crack going up the grout and continuing through a soap dish cracking the soap dish and then also through a full tile in the other bathroom. The contractor says the house is not settling and that the tile guy probably set the tile wrong somehow. What actually causes tile and grout to crack when it’s not on a floor?

 Answer:

Typically when tile and or grout split in a straight line it is usually at a under-layment joint (Hardi backer, wonder board or green board if used) that was not taped and sealed. Basically it is a joint that if unsealed rests on an uneven wood member (stud) and most likely is open to the interior air space of the wall. This air space is not static especially if located on an exterior wall and will cause havoc on tile and grout joints alike causing cracking along that straight edge. Gordon

Ceramic tile installation time:

Question:

How long will it take to install 235 sq. feet of 12x12 ceramic tile over a wood sub floor that requires Hardi backer board? In addition, how long will it take install 104 sq. feet of 12x12 tiles on a concrete slab?

 Answer:

Well if you've installed tile before then from start to finish it will probably take 1 to 3 days allowing time for everything to set and dry if you are new to this I would guess 3 to 5 perhaps a week if you run into problems. Gordon

Removing and replacing outdoor tile:

Question:

I have to remove old tile from and outdoor deck which is on concreted. After I remove the tile can I put and inch of mortar cement to level the floor and then after it dries put the new tile on?

 Answer:

As you know when ever you pour concrete on top of concrete you run the risk of it not bonding to the original base, if that is the route you beside to go, I would introduce a bonding agent into the mortar mix to help the adhesion making sure you soak the base well before you pour. Sometimes if the original base is relatively sound then a skim coat patch to level with and additive is safer, without being there to assess it's hard to say. Thanks for your question, Gordon

Cleaning ceramic tile with excess grout:

Question:

When my ceramic tiles were installed in my foyer the contractor did not wash off the excess grout. I purchased the grout cleaner and tried to remove the excess grout, but I believe there was still some left on the tile. The tile is not shiny and is very dirty looking. What's the best way to clean the tile and should I put a sealant on it for the future?

 Answer:

There are some ok products on the market for cleaning excess grout off tile etc.. They tend to be really mild because of their corrosive nature. What I suggest is that you buy some Muriatic acid, say a quart. This product is excellent for this application BUT you need to dilute it and try it in a small area in a corner to see how it works. Very important! Wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, old long sleeve shirt. Keep the area well ventilated with a fan and keep the product away from the kids and pets. You may have to let it sit on the floor for a bit, just watch it. After you finish make sure you thoroughly rinse the floor and then yes a good ceramic grout sealer is recommended. Hope this helps, Gordon

Holes in bathroom tile:

Question:

We recently took out a sliding shower door, which was attached to the tile with screws. Now there are holes in several of the tiles... what is the best way to repair these? Can you patch holes in tile?  

Answer:

Good Morning, Unfortunately there is no way besides caulking or grouting to patch tiles, it's really not very effective. You might consider finding some appliqué type accent tiles and epoxying them to the surface? I don't know what your decorating scheme is but it's a nice change if you find something you like. If not, get some un-sanded grout and try dabbing a little in the holes?? Hope this helps, Gordon

Waterproofing under a slate tile deck over a garage:

Question:

What do you recommend to use, we have built a new deck and want to lay slate tile on it but am unsure what to use to waterproof the deck what do you think is the best practice?

Answer:

Good Morning, without knowing all the particulars (structure etc.), it’s hard for me to advise you but I give it a stab. There is a product on the market called Wonder board it is a concrete based sheet that when sealed at the joints with a water proof sealant can be used outdoors as a base for tile. I believe that Hardy Board is also suitable for such and application. Remember I can't see what you have done so you might want to ask your material supplier or a local expert before proceeding. Hope this answers your question, Gordon

Grout sealing:

Question:

My bathroom just had new tile installed. I sealed it 2 weeks later as per manufactures instructions using a sealer recommend at our local hardware store. The problem is when the grout gets wet in turns a dark color. Is this normal? I thought it would stay the same color once it was sealed. It does turn back to the lighter color once it dries but I’m not sure if this should be happening.

Answer:

New Grout Discoloration:

Question:

I just has some new tile installed and I chose a dark brown grout but now that is has dried it looks gray when I mop the grout you can see it's true color buy as soon as is dries it does back to the gray look. We were remodeling at the time the tile was installed is it that to much dust could may have dried with the grout. Please let me know of any suggestions you may have

Answer:

Good Morning, The little grout sample is always the idea look that you might receive under idea circumstances. There are several silicon grout sealers on the market that help to set the color. Put several coats and I think you will be happier. I can image that unless there was a 1/4 inch of dust everywhere that you would have enough to impact the color. Try the sealer, Gordon

 Tile re-sealing:

Question:

When resealing my slate floor bathroom should I remove the sealant that I originally applied?

 Answer:

Good Morning, I would scrub the heck out it with TSP or some non oily general purpose cleaner and bristled brush, wipe it with clean water, let it dry and then sparingly put several new coats of sealant. Thin is best, let it dry completely then put another on etc.. Patience, Gordon

Installing ceramic tile over plastered walls:  

Question:

How do you install ceramic tile over plastered walls?

Answer:

Depending on how flat the surface is you can use a thin set tile mix. If you are going to put a border of wood you will want to do a dry set ( lay out with tiles without setting them) thus getting your boundaries established before you start actually gluing your tiles to the wall. Once you have figured out the spacing I would put your border on the wall if it is wood thus eliminating any pounding on the finish wall. If it is a tile trim then you simply have to draw a line using a level and tile to there. Make sure your thin set is really sticky when applying it, your tiles won't sag as much. Try a little first and get the hang of it, some plastic spacers are good to keep the joints consistent. Gordon

Ceramic tile edging:

Question:

What kind of ceramic tile edging can I use for a one inch over hang on the cabinet? The front of my vanity has a panel, allowing a one inch overhang space. How do I tile the corner edge?

Answer:

Good Evening, Most tile manufactures have trim pieces available for this application. It is ordered by the lineal foot. Get some extra as they do break. They even make an outside corner that butts together; mitered corners that you have to cut are very sharp. If the local tile place can't find it, then I would “ Google" ceramic tile ". Gordon

Frost free porcelain tile:

Question:

Are all porcelain tiles considered frost free and safe to be installed in an outdoor location where they will be exposed to sub-zero weather? I've seen some that say frost free and others that don’t. I believe the frost free has to do with the amount of water absorption in the tile and most porcelain tiles list this at .04%. Could you please elaborate on what frost free means?

Answer:

The term used to better describe is "frost resistant" I believe that the best way to go would be with a porcelain clay bodied tile that are available glazed and un-glazed. They seem to perform the best in sub zero weather. Granted there are other tiles out there that have comparatively low moisture content but there is always a risk that with prolonged heavy frost and ice they may pop and crack. Gordon