Expert Answers Exterior Maintenance sealers stone

What sealer should on use on my new Travertine Deck?

Answer:  There are sealers that will darken natural stone and give it a wet look that won't make them more slippery.  They are called penetrating enhancer sealers.  They make the stone water resistant.  There are surface…

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Expert Answers Exterior installation stone

How long should we wait to install bluestone pavers over a concrete porch?

ANSWER -  The general rule is to wait 28 days for the concrete to cure, although that depends on the thickness of the concrete, the temperature and humidity,  and the concrete mix. If you use…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers Exterior Free Tile and Stone Installation Guidelines installation Installation Guidelines stone

How do we install tile on a new concrete side walk?

ANSWER - First of all you need to determine what kind of tile to install?  It needs to be slip resistant, and it needs to provide a relatively flat surface so no one trips.  If…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior installation selection Wet Areas

What is the best tile to use to prevent Leaking?

ANSWER - Regardless of what type of tile you install over your garage, none of the installations will be waterproof unless you waterproof under the tile first. Some tiles are impervious such as glazed ceramic…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Exterior Maintenance

How do I Clean my outdoor Mexican Saltillo Paver Tiles?

ANSWER - You might have more than just a lack of maintenance problem.  If you have mold on the tiles, then the tiles are being subjected to excess moisture.  To be subjected to excessive moisture…

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Expert Answers Exterior Mechanical Anchored Slab stone

Can Stone Veneer be Mechanically attached to plywood on a Vertical Surface?

ANSWER - Plywood can be used as sheathing on an exterior wall, although it has to be protected with a grade D breathable moisture barrier. Mechanically attaching the stone to the plywood itself is not…

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Balcony Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior Exterior Decks & Balconies failures installation Leak Moisture Problems Waterproofing

Why is my exterior tile deck leaking?

ANSWER - Exterior decks are one of the most common failures in building construction because they are normally constructed incorrectly. When there is a failure it is normally due to compounding deficiencies rather than only one…

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Balcony Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Expert Answers Exterior Exterior Decks & Balconies failures Grout installation Leak Moisture Problems Sealant Caulk stone

How do I stop our Exterior Tile Deck from leaking?

ANSWER - The leaking of deck causing damages in the ceiling below is the symptom of the cause of the problem.  Treating the symptom will not remediate the cause of the problem. If the deck…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior installation Moisture Problems sealers stone Wet Areas

What is Efflorescence and How to Avoid it?

ANSWER - Excessive efflorescence staining (generally a whitish substance) on stone, tiles,  grout, or adjacent surfaces is a generally a symptom of an excessive…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Exterior failures Standards Tenting

What is causing my tiles to bulge up?

ANSWER - I believe what you are describing is a condition called Tile Tenting. Ceramic tiles, particularly those that are more absorptive, will expand when subjected to heat or moisture.  If the tile installation doesn't…

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