Expert Answers in Ceramic and Porcelain Tile

ANSWER - Tile isn't really meant to be painted. You can try to paint it with an epoxy based paint that will provide a better bond, that will probably last longer. The problem with painting…

ANSWER - I don't have enough information to know what the white haze is on the tiles. Generally speaking the installers could have not cleaned the tiles properly when they completed the installation, which caused…

ANSWER - I understand that you have a townhome where you replaced your kitchen floor with ceramic tile in August 2010.  The tile was installed over hardibacker board that was applied over a wood subfloor over…

ANSWER - There isn't a clear standard for what is allowable maximum lippage between a 13 x13 inch tile and mosaics, but I would expect it to be 1/16". For 1x1 inch tiles it is…

ANSWER - I assume the dots and veins within the porcelain tile surface are probably low spots that are collecting dirt.  Too often I see nice porcelain tiles that look very dirty caused from the accumulation…

ANSWER - I understand that the glossy porcelain tiles you had installed in your home isn't as reflective of a surface as you expected and you haven't been successful at treating it to achieve this…

ANSWER - The best method of cleaning a porcelain tile floor, whether it is glazed or unglazed, is to add a detergent in a bucket of water, preferably one that is supplied by a company…

ANSWER - Your grout should not be coming loose and not hardening.  It sounds like your grout joints might be too narrow to easily allow the grout to fill it.  Depending on the type of tile…

ANSWER - If the existing ceramic tiles are well bonded (attached) to its substrate you can bond over them with the new tile, although the new tile bond will be no better than the attachment of the…

ANSWER - Hopefully your installers placed a vapor barrier under your basement slab before they poured it, to control the flow of moisture.  Plus, after the installation, you should make sure you have adequate air…