Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Grout Stains

Why did the black grout stain my tile?

ANSWER - Some glazed tiles have micro fracturing or even pin holes from off-gassing during the manufacturing process.   It is always recommended to use a grout release to protect the tile from staining before you…

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Expert Answers Grout Lippage Marble Standards stone

What is the Stone Industry Standard for the Allowable amount of Marble Tile Lippage?

ANSWER - Per the Natural Stone Institute Dimension Stone Design Manual the tolerance for the allowable lippage for a for a calibrated marble or any calibrated natural stone floor tile is 1/32".  This is based…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Expert Answers Grout Repairs

Why is my Unsanded Grout Cracking and how do I fix it?

ANSWER - There are many reasons why a grout will crack and come loose.  Unsanded grout is recommended for grout joints 1/8" wide down to 1/16" wide.  Sanded grout is recommended for grout joints that…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Grout Installation Guidelines Showers Standards Waterproofing Workmanship

How do we determine what caused our Tile Shower to Fail?

ANSWER - You are asking a lot that can't be answered without performing a forensic inspection to determine what is causing the failures.  I can make some general statements that may or may not apply…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Grout Haze Ink Jet Glazed Tile Maintenance Repairs

Why do my Plank Floor Tiles have a Haze or have Lost its Color?

ANSWER - Tiles should not lose their color from cleaning.  There are a lot of variables to consider.  First what kind of tile is it and how was it manufactured.  I will assume it is…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout installation

Why hasn't my grout harden?

ANSWER - If you are using a cementitious grout it should harden.  If you used too much water in mixing the grout and/or too much water in cleaning the grout during the installation of the…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Grout Maintenance Stains

How do we remove a Urethane Grout Haze from a Tile?

ANSWER - If you rub too hard you might damage the tile. The best approach is to contact the manufacturer of the urethane grout and ask them how best to remove the urethane grout haze. …

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Grout sealers Stains

How Can I Remove Contrasting Grout Staining in a Black Tile?

ANSWER - The grout that you used may be a polymer modified grout similar to a grout with a latex additive.   Acids won't attack the polymer, but there are products for removing latex haze.  Try…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout Maintenance sealers

Do I have to reseal my tile and grout?

ANSWER - The unglazed porcelain tile should technically be impervious with an absorption of 0.5% or less.  That doesn't mean it can't stain, when it can if something is left on it long enough and…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Deflection Expert Answers failures Grout installation Movement Joints Repairs Sealant Caulk Waterproofing Wet Areas

How do I repair the Horizontal Grout Joint between the Bathtub and the Tile wall?

ANSWER -  The transition joint between the top of the bathtub flange and the wall tile is not supposed to be filled with a cementitious grout.  It should be filled with a resilient ASTM C920…

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