Ceramic tile advice forum for tile do-it yourselfers, tile installers, tile industry professional and weekend warriors
    

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snailmail 

May-09-2008 14:09

Help!!! We are DIY homeowners and last weekend installed Denssheild over our asbestos vinyl kitchen floor. We noticed a slight smell cutting and installing it, but had all the doors & windows opened and didn't think too much about it. As the weather turned cooler and we closed up the house we started to really notice it. When I came home from work on Tuesday it really hit me in the face. It was a cross between old garbage and dead fish. I called GP and they gave me the field rep's number. I called him and surprisingly he came right out. He agreed that it did smell bad. He said that we did a great job installing it correctly. He said he never had this problem before and offered for us to replace it. I reminded him that we had asbestos underneath that would get disturbed and we didn't want the health hazard. He left to talk to his people. He called back today to say that they only had one other problem and the smell left after awhile. We don't want to install the tile until this gets resolved. In the mean time we are living without a refrig, stove, or dishwasher. Has anyone else heard of this problem.

benvenutti 

May-08-2008 18:30

I am laying ceramic tile in the back portion of my house. It is a hallway with 2 bedrooms coming off the left side and a bedroom and bath coming off the right side of the hall. I was wondering if it would be best to center the hallway and flow into the rooms or center one of the rooms and flow into the hallway and then back into the other rooms. I am going to eventually continue this tile throughout the house later. Any tips?

sandpirates2 

May-08-2008 17:36

Sorry about the prevoius post. I'm currently in the middle of finishing a complete walk-in shower installed with a combination of marble and stone tiles. I've come to the part of the installation that I need to install custom cut marble tile upside down in several locations and also on vertical frames (2x4s) that will eventually be the top of my 3/8 glass where brackets will attach the glass. I want to cover this with tile, but I'm not sure how to keep it in place while it's upside down, nor on the vertical wall that has not suport to hold the tiles in place from slipping downwards.

sandpirates2 

May-08-2008 17:29

installing tile upside down

Red 

May-08-2008 12:39

Our shower floor tile was sealed but some areas always look wet while other areas look dry even after a few days without use. Is there anything I can do to make them all look the same?

Tib 

May-08-2008 12:20

Howdy! We have saltillo tile through out our home. The sealer has cracked most everywhere, especially in high traffic areas. A local company that strips saltillo tile for a large fee came out and chemically tested various places on our floors to see if he could determine what sealant the previous owners used. His cost to do the stripping was in the thousands. He advised me to use acetone, good scrubbies, a ventilator and a disposable shop vac to strip the floors and suck up the debris. He said it'll take hours on my hands and knees. He told me that acetone should eventually strip the tile down to the wax that the manufacturer most likely put on it. He also advised me to stay away from any sealers and live with the floor with the wax coating it most likely originally came with. In his opinion it will stain with spills and such but that's the way it should be. Clean with a minimal amount of water and use no detergents. Never leave standing water on the floor (from dog bowls). Will acetone work? What kind of a respirator do you believe he's referring to. I could tell he did NOT want this job. He thought it'd entail a few days of constant work. I don't mind hard work, but I have read on other sites to use paper towels to sop up the blistered sealer. And to keep the tiles wet, not let them dry completely before sopping the blistering up. Can acetone damage the tiles? Any advice? We haven't the money to pay anyone and I don't mind the hard work, just wondering if I'm going about this correctly. Thank you!

shawn 

May-07-2008 23:47

sorry forgot to mention the 7/16 sub flooring that was also put down before the membrane

shawn 

May-07-2008 23:46

my wife and i framed in a shower down stairs in the basement which we had to raise the floor. i used 2x4 for joist do to the small area (shower is 45" x 6' ) and put them on 2' centers then installed the membrane with hardy backer over it. then we laid the tile and the thing leaks any advise on how to seal it up

mondo 

May-07-2008 12:41

whats the easiest way to float a shower floor

joanie 

May-07-2008 12:39

I have had repeated plumbing accidents in the first floor of my condo (approx 410 square feet) My wood laminate floor is ruined and it has be taken up and i have decided to go with ceramic tile. I have heard porcelain is the best and i want a "mud job" so the tile will be installed properly. I have had one guy come in who was recommended by the tile dealer. He says he can do it all, including take out cabinets and put them back. He says the back splash of the cabinets do not cut well so he would put in a tile back splash. THe only thing he said he would not do is reconnect the dishwasher and sink and that i would hire a licensed plumber to do. The other option is -the painter who did my wall wants to come in and remove the cabinets and put them back and bring in a tile guy to the the floor. The painter wants to take up the old floor-move out the cabinets etc and then have the tile guy do the rest-then the painter will move everything back and rehook everything. How do i know who to use?

AFI 

May-07-2008 10:37

I have a customer whom we just finished installing 36,000 SF for his business (automotive dealership). He is insisting on "attic" stock in the range of 1-2% of the total order amount. We only ordered about 3-4% overages on the total order itself - and we used most of that up. We have about 5-6 boxes of each tile remaining to give him - but that doesn't come close to the 1-2% he wants for the entire job. Is there anything official or something you can provide us about industry practices and "attic" stock. In reality - I think he wants to tile his garage with the 1-2% left over material - but we are really at a loss of how to provide him an "official" answer. Can you direct me to "attic" stock and "overages" for ordering? Maybe I can explain to him that he may have the two terminologies confused and that may resolve a very tense situation at present - where he is holding our money - waiting on (2) pallets of free tile.

adam 

May-07-2008 03:30

for outdoor patio, about 3,000 s.f. Is it ok to lay in travertine stone ( 16x16 noche) on top of existing 12x12 saltio tile? The saltio is about 10 years old and it is quite firmed.

remodeling 

May-06-2008 17:37

Is marble ok to install at shower wall and floor? My marble will be unpolished marble. Is this kind of marble will have problem after I seal them?

alessia 

May-06-2008 09:55

I'm looking to purchase tile for my bathroom and kitchen from Lowes but I was told they do not inspect their tile and that is an issue when the tile gets installed, as it may be of differing sizes. Is this true? Should I be concerned?

Dear ALESSIA: This is not something that I am aware of, and it does not seem to make sense. Tile is not always inspected by distributors, but you do make sure you do business with reputable companies and that the pallets come with the same calibration (size) and Dye Lot numbers. (shading). Lowes would seem to be a company that would do business with reputable manufacturers. I urge you to always inspect your tile before it is installed for sizing imperfections and shading differences. Of course, some tiles are intended to have shading variations. I would urge this no matter where you buy your tile. BB

Karen 

May-05-2008 22:29

I am doing an addition on my house which is building out on the 2nd floor going over the existing garage. I am making both the bathroom and the adjoining bedroom bigger. The contractor has completed the framing and subfloor of both. In the bathroom, I will have a free standing claw foot tub and a separate shower. The tile has been completed throughout the bathroom. The contractor has used 2x8 joists and Advan Tech subfloor with Schulter Dieter membrane with the tile on top. Part of the bathroom is new construction with the rest being an extension on the existing 1942 house. My problem is that in several places (both new and existing), the floor squeaks. I am concerned after talking to several people (both professional and others) that the tile will eventually crack. I am using 1" hexagon that is provided on sheets (not sure how big). The contractor contends that it is squeaking because the house is old and the joists have been connected with the rest of the house, however the material he has used (especially the membrane) will prevent the cracking. I don't know what to believe. please help Karen

Dear KAREN: The membrane is certainly meant to avoid minor cracking. It sounds as if the design of the assembly has a solid foundation to it. I would ask for written recommendations from the contractor from Advantech and Schluter that the system is designed for the purpose of which you have requested. It appears as if it is.

NANinmi 

May-05-2008 21:59

We installed a granite tile kitchen countertop two weeks ago. We removed more grout than we wanted. We wanted the grout to be flush with the tiles. Can we regrout without removing any of the existing grout? It has not been sealed yet. Thank you for your help

Dear NANINMI: You should be able to do this. It may make sense to remove some of the existing grout to an even level, so that when you come back over it, you have sufficient depth to bond the new grout mixture to.

steague 

May-05-2008 17:28

I am going to place a tumbled marble tile backsplash in my kitchen. Can I tile directly over the existing sheetrock?

Dear STEAGUE: As long as the sheetrock is not in an area that is subject to moisture, you can tile directly to it. GS

redd 

May-05-2008 14:33

how do i get an answer

Dear REDD: Not enough information

redd 

May-05-2008 14:17

can i use hardibacker on wood stairs to install ceramic tile

Dear REDD: What type of wood are the stairs made of?

Drue 

May-04-2008 21:03

where can i find cardboard to glue tile samples onto

Dear DRUE: Sorry Drue, don't know the answer to this question. Sample board websites should be available on the internet, and you should be able to find a good one if you describe the type of tile and samples you are going to make. BB

ashok 

May-04-2008 08:19

I happen to buy 3x3 interior vertified tiles , which were said to be joint free, but on laying i find that there is visible joint differences between tiles. i was told by the laying person that 3x3 tiles have this joint problem always as it tends to bend, is it true? Another person informed me that the tiles might be second quality tiles (lower in price) so it has this joint problem. is it true that there is selected tiles said to be first quality which are jointless and second quality which are the sorted out bend once.

Dear ASHOK: The way ceramic tile is produced and manufactured tends to require a grout joint. I think you are referring to a rectified tile, not vertified, and if so, you would still need a grout joint, but it could be a very narrow one. This does not indicate first or second quality.

Condo Chick 

May-03-2008 03:44

I have horrible tile in my bathroom. I want to cover it somehow. What are my options for covering it without removing it? Good or bad what are the possibilities.

Dear CONDO CHICK: As long as the tile is in good shape, no loose tile or cracked grout, and the substrate underneath the tile is in good condition, you can tile directly over the existing tile. Check with the mortar and grout manufacturer for specific product recommendations to go over existing ceramic tile. BB

Suey 

May-02-2008 18:51

cost to have ceramic tile in kitchen 10' x 12'

Dear SUEY: You need to get an estimate in your area, and preferably two or three from someone who has a proven track record for successful installation. Tiles can vary significantly in price, and labor is also a varying issue depending on the geographic area you live in. Too difficult to give you an estimate in this fashion. BB

Suey 

May-02-2008 18:22

Can you give me a ballpark figure for the cost to have a contractor install a medium priced ceramic tile for a 12' x 10' kitchen floor. I live in the Northeast. Thank you.

Dear SUEY: No, but you could call a tile distributor in your area and ask for general pricing guidelines. This website does not have the ability to do this. Every market is different, and you have to also understand what preparation needs to be done to your area in addition to laying the tile before a real estimate can be provided. BB

Bob 

May-02-2008 17:59

My neighbor's dog knocked over my ceramic outdoor fountain.Two dolphins broke, clean brake,how can I repair them Thanks Bob

woody 

May-01-2008 12:55

installation tips for installing ceiling tiles in a shower

Dear WOODY: The ceiling tiles should slope 1/4" per foot so condensation does not pool on the ceiling. You should consider bracing the material if it is large and heavy, wear a hardhat in case of a falling tile, and hold the tile in place for a longer period of time. GS