Expert Answers in Installation Guidelines
Can Porcelain Tiles be Installed on a Pedestal Floor System?
Historically pedestal floor installations were used to install 2" thick or thicker precast concrete pavers or natural stone tiles. The floor could be level and the gaps between the pavers would facilitate for water to…
Read MoreIs it ok to Install Ceramic Tile or Stone Tile on a Sand Base?
Sand-setting tiles is not considered the best way to install ceramic or natural stone tiles, although it is done and has been done for many years and is normally less expensive than pouring a concrete…
Read MoreShould I Install Limestone Coping on my Pool?
Always take what the contractor says with a grain of salt and make sure there is documents backing it up. Don’t assume they are doing things correctly and read the directions that they likely don’t…
Read MoreHow Should Movement Joints (expansion joints) be Installed in Tile Installations?
The TCNA EJ171 now allows for zipper or sawtooth generic movement joints in tile installations, where you follow the grout joints within the tile assembly, not into the mortar bed. It is not uncommon for…
Read MoreHow 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 Bed 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…
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