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Helpme 

Aug-31-2007 14:44

I have ceramic tile steps that have been broken, they are 12 X 12, bull nose tiles in a jade greenish color, I have tried 4 different tile places any idea where I can get tiles like this. I will settle for a different color. No one has even heard of full size bull nose tiles, they only have the edge ones.

mrofeim 

Aug-30-2007 21:13

tileman, i need to install vynil flooring over an existing ceramic tile floor. could i glue down 1/4 inch plywood over the tile using contact cement or some other glue

mrs 

Aug-30-2007 16:21

just removed old plastic tile want to install glass tiles do i have to remove the paint before i install ??i did remove the mastic liquid nail

Torrance 

Aug-30-2007 13:46

About two weeks ago a tile contractor finished work on our upstairs master bath. He tiled everything: floor, shower, vanity around the tub walls and window sills. It looks beautiful but, I have a few concerns. He replaced the old vinyl shower pan with a concrete floated floor and I have noticed several cracks starting to appear at the bottom of the wall around the floor. Also, in the same area, the grout is turning white in one spot. And , is it normal for the grout in the floor not to fully dry out the next day? I should also mention that my contractor has already replaced some of the grout in the shower floor due to color variation. Do you think I should be concerned?

shelly 

Aug-30-2007 12:42

which is better for counter tops, ceramic or porcelin tile

whitestone 

Aug-30-2007 12:03

After the porcelin tile is removed, how do you remove the old thin set mortar?

Miss Fix-it 

Aug-30-2007 09:53

I recently installed some porcelain tile in the back door-way of my house and used 3 large (19.5 X 19.5) tiles with smaller tiles using Omni Grip adhesive. I have not grouted yet. One of the big tiles has air coming from underneath when I step in certain areas (I can hear a swooshing sound). Should I remove the tile and replace it using more adhesive? I don't want to grout till I have the figured out. Thank you for your guidance.

scooby-do 

Aug-30-2007 09:14

I live in south central Pa.Is there anything I should do special if I wanted to put tile on my front and back porches.also I have a balcony that is concrete.Tired of the paint peeling off.Want to put tile down to remedy the problem.All 3 places are exposed to the elements.Can you recommend any partiular tile type for safety reasons that wouldn't be slippery.There is epoxy paint on these surfaces presently.Thank You. Scooby-Do

wpb 

Aug-29-2007 11:20

Hi iam still trying to get an answer on id 10366 but to no avail although I can register using my alias and password to post a question it rejects my user name and password to view the response. I have installed the wonder board using thinset and screws I have taped the joints but my leveling job using the scratch coat to the sub floor prior to the installation could not have been to good as I still have some rocking of the 18 by 18 tiles my question is can i apply scratch coat on top of the wonder board to level the area before i install the tile? Regards wpb

chris 

Aug-29-2007 10:37

is there such a product that is both grout and mortar you can do in one step when laying ceramic tile?

Janet 

Aug-29-2007 09:14

I just had 18 by 18 tile installed in our home. The floor sample in the store looked beautiful. On about half of my tile you can see the dark under color. the tile is a beige ceramic tile. I thought it looked like they didn't use enough grout. the owner came and looked and said he could fix the problem. two days later they came back and put more grout in the line. I noticed it helped a little bit. The installer complained to me that it was the tile. The glaze did not cover enough on two of the sides. I have noticed that when sweeping and moping the grout is coming up. Can anything be done to correct this problem. Thank you for any help you can give me. I looked a long time and thought I was doing everything right.

sandie 

Aug-27-2007 19:13

how do I get answers from the archives

diane   

Aug-27-2007 18:01

during the humidity, my "built-in" tile soap dish in my 55 year old house has completely separated fromthe wall...what type adhesive should i use to get it to stay fastened to the wall?

Slushda 

Aug-27-2007 11:01

We have bathroom tile that the previous owner had "siliconed" over the grout (haven't a clue why). We tried removing the silicone 15 yrs. ago but it was so tedious because it only "tore" tiny pieces at a time. Scraping just wouldn't get it. So, we decided to spackle over tile to level it, and we wall papered the area. Now we are hoping there is a tool or way to clean all this off to show the tile again. Hoping that products have improved in 15 yrs. so there is something to help us clean away the spackle which I think will also take care of the old silicone. We've tried scraping it and also using a Dremel to carefully grind out the spackle with a rough wheel but are hoping there are better ways. Any suggestions you have are appreciated.

Cloudkicker101 

Aug-27-2007 00:05

Ok so you know i have laid tiles down in home for a bathroom on floor and walls. I have never done a basement floor though. Trying to figure how to do it. I know I have to level the floor for 1 thing. The easy thing to do would be install a sub-floor, but i dont want to raise a toliet and everything else that is down there. I read that you could simply use hardibacker board 1/8 think and set it down and use some tapcons to hold it still. So my question is will that work so the tile wont crack?? If not what do i need to do to make it work. I am thinking yes!! Butt need an extra opionion.

Stephie 

Aug-26-2007 17:40

:I would like some suggestions about applying bead board over ceramic tiles.

wpb 

Aug-26-2007 14:32

I have been trying to search the archives but can't seem to get on we are doing a complete remodel of a small bathroom ad shower I have installed cemment board around tub can i use mapei scratch coat to install the tape. (2) the floor is wait for it 5/8 waffer board well screwd down to 16inch joists but uneven in places it is only 68 inchs by 65 inchs due height restrictions we have 1/4 inch wonder board to put down they have given me chembond magniflex super 8820 the tile for the floor is 18 by 18 porcelain the wall and tub surrond is 12 by 24 porcelain any help would be greatly appreciated.

confused 

Aug-26-2007 03:03

What needs to be done to prep a floor for ceramic tile after a vinyl floor has been removed

Dear CONFUSED:

If the vinyl floor has not been removed, you can tile over it. If it has been removed, the residue must be scraped as clean as possible and then the floor must be sanded, abraded, or scarified. Joe Tarver/NTCA

Tealeaf72 

Aug-26-2007 01:07

hello... we just purchased a home with very damaged vinyl floors and plan to retile using porcelain tiles. We are considering using very large tiles (18 X 18) however the rooms these will go in are not large (home is a 1400 Sq foot cape). The hallway/foyer is only 36 inches in some spots and the bathrooms are both small. The kitchen, although open to the dining room and living room, will only be tiled in a relatively small section and the tile will meet up with hardwood floors. Overall the areas to be tiled are fairly small. Will large size tiles look strange in a small room? The tile store says they have done this and it that it looks great, and makes small rooms appear larger. I am concerned that in our hallway they will only be able to fit one large tile in and have to cut all the others down. I am concerned this could look very haphazard, messy, disorganized and confusing if only one tile is the 18 X 18 and all others are cut down. Have you seen large tiles like this in small areas and does it generally look good? Are their websites that display pictures of how this looks in small areas? I am having a hard time envisioning it. If we wanted to do a brickwork pattern would small tiles 12 X 12 be preferable? I would prefer 16 X16 or 13 X 13 but the american Olean tile I like is not available in that size. I was under the impression the larger tiles are more in style now for floors. Thank you for your help!!!

Dear TEALEAF72:

You have answered most of your questions with your list of concerns. Personal preference is always most important in product selection, however, the use of extremly large tiles in small areas provides problems in delivering an aesthetically pleasing installation. Smaller tiles will allow more flexability whether using patterns or straight joint. I don't know of any web sites that wil give you the visual results that you want. Large size tiles are in style, but, only if you have the space to properly use them. Joe Tarver/ NTCA

larry 

Aug-25-2007 23:29

I have two questions. #1. I am laying tile on top of vinyl, of course I will be putting a 1/2 inch extra floor down. When I install that extra sub-floor can I take it flush against the wall? #2Also The floor that is down now does not bow or move however the floor is not 100% level will this 1/2 inch extra floor straighten that problem out? Thank you very much

Dear LARRY:

Several things for your consideration. First of all adding a floor thickness of any dimension will not correct the unlevel condition. If the unlevel floor is not objectionable,you can install tile directly over the viny flooring. If it is vinyl asbestos do not sand or otherwise scarify. You can apply a 1/4" or thicker backerboard and set tile to it. You can apply a self leveling compound which will true up your floor and give you a good substrate to install tile. If you opt to add an additional floor leave at least 1/4" between the floor and walls and caulk this joint. Joe Tarver/NTCA

djdi557 

Aug-25-2007 18:09

I live in southeast Florida. I had my home built by custom builders. Last year(my home was only 5 years old) i noticed severe cracking of my tiles in my master bedroom and bathroom which have spread. Now i have more cracked tiles in the 3rd bathrrom and other areas for a total of 35+ cracked tiles. i contacted the builder. they were very nasty to me. they did not use anything under the tile. the tile was layed right over concrete. what can i do about this and is the builder responsible. i live in a rural area of Jupiter, fl thank you. diane

Dear DJDI557:

This is not an uncommon complaint. When ceramic tile is installed directly to a concrete slab, the slab settles and cracks, and the cracks are telegraphed through the tiles. You can remove the cracked tiles, and others adjacent to them, and reinstall over a suitable crack isolation membrane or do a complete removal and replacement with a crack isolation/crack supression membrane. Normally, five years is beyond a warranty period, however, your builder responsibility should be discussed with him. Joe Tarver/NTCA

vikdave 

Aug-25-2007 13:21

Should our outdoor tile be lifting after 4 years?

Dear VIKDAVE:

Need more information. Is the outdoor area covered or uncovered? What type of tile? How was it installed? Geographical location? Joe Tarver/NTCA

southernman 

Aug-25-2007 10:29

can old blue ceramic tile be re-colored. what can be done to our blue tub?

Dear SOUTHERNMAN:

Your old blue ceramic tile cannot be re-colored. There are some companies that advertise re-finishing bath tubs. Consult your yellow pages. Joe Tarver/NTCA

kevin 

Aug-25-2007 09:38

I am opening a brand new building. Most of the the floors are a Matte, Ekos Stone ,Porcelain ,Beige Color Tile. Made by MARCA CORONA P532. It is OK to use a clear acrylic polymer floor sealer. If OK how many coats. I reccomended a impregneted sealer, but the BIG BOSSES want a shiny look

Dear KEVIN:

Porcelain products are usually impervious, (0.5 percent water absorption or less) and normally are not sealed. A penetrating sealer would produce no better results than a topical coating. Topical coatings tend to show wear in traffic areas and must be maintained on a regular basis. I would seek help from MARCA CORONA and their recommendations on sealers for this particular product. Joe Tarver/NTCA

mrDee 

Aug-25-2007 02:14

i'm doing a bathroom floor in a 2nd story attice. I have 3/4 inch plywood floor. I put another 3/4 inch plywood down at different direction. Do i need 1/2 inch, 3/4, or 1 inch cement backer board next? Do i screw backer board to plywood or do I need to put any morter between plywood subfloor and backer board? Is there any difference between Wonderboard, Densesheild, Hardi-Backer, or Durock?

Dear MRDEE:

You can apply tile directly to your floor with Latex-Portland Cement Mortar or add 1/4" or thicker backerboard. Backerboards do not lend structural integrity to the floor therefore the thickness is not a factor. Backboard is generally considered to be a better substrate for bonding tile than wood. There are differences in backerboards, however, any of the ones mentioned are suitable for your purposes. Consult the manufacturer of the one you choose, if any, for their recommended installation. Joe Tarver/NTCA

111 

Aug-24-2007 08:58

what type of tile should be used on exterior covered deck

Dear 111:

Floor tiles with low water absorption such as ceramic mosaics, viterious and/or porcelain. Consult your supplier or the manufacturer for their recommendations when you are selecting your product. Joe Tarver/NTCA

Bill 

Aug-23-2007 23:23

How to acid wash(sulfuric) saltillo tiles

Dear BILL:

The use of sulfuric acid is not recommended for use in the ceramic tile industry. Some professionals continue to use the product, however, they must be experienced and well trained to avoid multiple potential problems. Sulfamic acid is a suitable alternate, without most of the serious side effects of sulfuric, however, it is still an acid and should be used with caution and strictly following the manufacturers recommendations. Joe Tarver/NTCA

nsmith 

Aug-23-2007 18:21

We recently had expensive "hand-made" tile installed after choosing it at the tile showroom because it was of the non-crackle" glaze cermaic tiles. Now that its been installed and after a week or so, much of the tile is beginning to crackle. The store says the factory says that all glazed ceramic tiles will crackle over time. Is that true? Some of our tiles are crackling and some aren't (though most seem to be more and more each day). The showroom sample tile has no crackling by the way. And we were very clear that we did not want a crackle tile to maintain with regular sealing etc.. Were we sold a defective batch of tiles, or is the factory right that one can't find a non-crackling glazed ceramic tile? Thanks.

Dear NSMITH:

From your description, I assume you are referring to a condition the tile industry classifies as "crazing". This is tiny hair line cracks in the glaze. Manufacturing technology and formulation of glazes and tile bodies that "fit" have virtually eliminated this problem. In "hand made" tiles, it might possibly continue to be a problem. Sealing glazed tiles would have no effec on this condition. Joe Tarver/NTCA

pjm 

Aug-23-2007 14:28

I have to re-tile my kitchen floor. How do I remove the tiles that are partly under the kitchen cabinets? I can't remove the cabinets and granite counter tops.

Dear PJM:

I assume it is a ceramic tile floor, if so, a hammer and chisel will probably be your weapons of choice. You might want to consider a "tile over tile" installation. Joe Tarver/NTCA

LOUIEC 

Aug-23-2007 12:26

I WOULD LIKE TO INSTALL A CERAMIC BACKSPLASH IN MY KITCHEN AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW CAN I DO IT OVER BEADBOARD THAT CURRENTLY THERE

Dear LOUIEC:

You can, however, you should abrade "rough up" the furface and remove any oily residue. You might want to consider overlaying the beadboard with 1/4" backerboard. Joe Tarver/NTCA