failures stone Tenting

Why is the Marble Floor in my shower buckling up?

ANSWER - Not all stone have the same physical properties, and they will behave differently under various conditions relative to their physical properties.  Even a stone with the same geological classification (such as travertine or…

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failures Moisture Problems

Tile over Gypsum Green Board is Leaking

ANSWER - It sounds like you are saying that your tiled shower that has leaked, which has resulted in collateral water damage, was installed with a gypsum green board and that it does not have…

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failures Grout Moisture Problems

Why is Water Coming Through Ceramic Tile Grout Joints?

ANSWER - I assume that the tile is installed on a concrete slab that is the bottom floor either on ground level or below ground level.  If water is coming up through the grout joints…

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failures Moisture Problems Stains stone Wet Areas

Why does Limestone Tile in Shower have White Stains I can't remove?

ANSWER - Sorry you having a problem with your limestone.  Limestone normally does well in shower areas. I have seen this type of staining before.  There are a number of variables and factors that can…

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Debonding Tile failures Movement Joints

Does the Lack of Movement Joints Cause Tile to Debond?

ANSWER - All tile installations require movement joints of one type or another at perimeters and within the field of tile.  Interior applications should have movement joints at all perimeters and transitions and every 20…

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failures Moisture Problems

Why does condensation collect on the surface of ceramic tile along interior wall?

Answer - If I understand you correctly, the ceramic floor tile in the interior of your home that sits adjacent to your baseboard at an exterior wall has moisture condensation on the tile along the baseboard.…

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failures Hollow Sounding Tiles Repairs

What can I do about my Hollow Sounding Tiles from being Installed with a Thin-set Spot Bond Method?

 Answer - Hollow sounding tiles doesn't necessarily mean there is a problem, but since you noticed the installers using a spot bond method during the installation, and you have evidence of it from the removed tiles,…

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failures Movement Joints Tenting

What caused my Tile to Buckle?

ANSWER - All materials absorb moisture to some degree.  Ceramic tiles with a porcelain body only absorb 0.5% or less.  A glazed surface tile normally doesn't absorb any moisture in its surface.  Depending on the type…

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cleaning failures Stains Wet Areas

Why does the water from my shower stain the bathroom floor?

ANSWER - I just wrote an article for the Construction Specifier that will be published in May 2013 that talks about this type of problem and potential causes. Key things to look at are: 1.…

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failures Stains

Why does my Tile have a Cloudy Appearance (Optical Haze)?

ANSWER - The photos aren't great, but I suspect it is a condition called "Optical Haze."   It looks like you have a polished porcelain tile.  During the polishing process at the factory there can…

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