Expert Answers in Installation Guidelines
How do I find a new Tile Installer to Fix or Complete my Tile Installation
ANSWER - It is very difficult to find a qualified tile installer to fix problems caused by another installer or to get them to complete an incomplete tile installation. The qualified installer doesn't want to…
Read MoreWhat are the Industry Standards for Installing Tile and Stone?
ANSWER - Too often tile and stone installers don't follow industry standards because they have never been formally trained and don't know what are the standards. They generally have learn from others and assume those…
Read MoreHow thick should the Mortar Be for a Shower Pan Floor in a Shower?
ANSWER - First of all, the way you construct a shower pan is to first apply a pre-sloped mortar bed to establish a slope to the drain of 1/4" per foot. You can float over…
Read MoreHow do I replace my Spa Spillway Surface?
ANSWER - I assume you will remove the existing spillway. Assuming it is bonded to a mortar bed or to the gunite/shotcrete substrate, after removing the existing spillway, make sure you scarify it and it…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreWhat products do I use to install tile in my Travel Trailer Home - Motor Home?
ANSWER - To determine what adhesive to use to install a time you need to determine what is the substrate. You need to know what type of tile you are going to install. In Trailer…
Read MoreIs it a problem if Schluter Ditra is installed on the walls of a Steam Shower?
ANSWER - Based on the Schluter literature, although they only show floor applications, they don't say it is only for floors. The Ditra is waterproof if installed correctly for waterproofing. It does have a key…
Read MoreWhat should we do if there is evidence that there is high Moisture coming up our Concrete Slabs?
ANSWER - Carpet might be allowing the moisture to evaporate through it, but as dirty as carpets get you could develop some microbial growth in the carpet. Adding more carpet doesn't solve or prevent problems.…
Read MoreCan I Install Mosaic Tiles over an Old Eroding Sandstone Flagstone Tile?
ANSWER - I assume this is an exterior application of the sandstone in a flagstone irregular shape. Sandstone is Quartz stone from a geological point of view, but it is a class 1 that is…
Read MoreCan a Tile Mosaic Mural Be Installed Outdoors with High Temperatures?
ANSWER - You didn't indicate if the mosaics are ceramic mosaics or glass mosaics. Ceramic mosaics are normally produced at over 1200 degrees F. Normally custom ceramic tiles are dried and then fired in a…
Read MoreWhat kind of Water Resistant Barrier or Vapor Barrier should be used For Exterior Tile Veneer Installations?
ANSWER - W244E can be a ceramic or glass tile or a stone application for an exterior framed wall with cement backer board over it. If it is a cementitious backer board then they would put…
Read MoreWhat is the proper Installation Method for Installing Large Format Tiles?
ANSWER - It is hard to see exactly what they did. Your message says “photo thin set 1/16” is on the floor, 1.5” to 2.5” of mortar mix with less than 90% coverage, and thin-set 1/16”…
Read MoreWhat do we need to consider when installing 18x18 inch tiles on walls?
ANSWER - First of all you need to make sure that the substrate to which you will be adhering the tiles are suitable for the application. In bathrooms you want to use materials that are…
Read MoreHow can I incorporate movement joints in my tile work while maintaining aesthetics.
ANSWER - The TCNA EJ171 standards for installing movement joints in tile work are general recommendations. There is an ASTM C1472 standard for calculating movement in movement joints, so you can consider the coefficient of…
Read MoreHow can I verify if my tile was installed correctly?
ANSWER - Unfortunately it is difficult for consumers to determine how to select qualified tile installers. Most installers haven't had any formal education on how to install tile nor do they know what the industry…
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