Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers Industry Standards installation Post-Tensioned Concrete

What is Post-Tensioned Concrete and Can I Install Tile Over it?

Post-Tensioning is a method of compressing the concrete with high-strength steel tendons and end plates installed prior to pouring the concrete that counteracts the natural tensile forces created by subsequent loading of people and equipment. …

Read More
Expansion Joints Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Movement Joints

How 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 More
Counter tops Expert Answers Granite installation Limestone Marble Quartzite

What is the Maximum Cantilever Overhang of a Natural Stone over the side of a Cabinet?

ANSWER - Industry standards state that for 3/4" (2 cm) thick stone you can cantilever the support 6" and for 1.25" ( 3 cm) stone you can cantilever 10".  But in no case can you…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers failures Free Tile and Stone Installation Guidelines installation Installation Guidelines Repairs stone Stone Restoration Workmanship

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 More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines stone

What 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 More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Repairs Stairs

What do I do about the Missing Stair Nosing and Short Stair Tread?

ANSWER - There really isn't anything you can do about correcting the short stair treads as there is no stair nosing extending out over the edge of the stair riser.  You really just need to…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Free Tile and Stone Installation Guidelines installation Installation Guidelines Showers Slope Percent Standards Wet Areas

How 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 More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Granite installation Installation Guidelines Pool and Spa stone

How 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 More
color Variation Expert Answers installation Limestone Marble Moisture Problems Stains stone

Why is my New Marble Floor Tile Discoloring?

ANSWER - The marble may in fact be retaining moisture and maybe it will go away after it dries out.  On the other hand natural stone has various minerals within it that can react with…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Mastic Showers

Can I use Organic Mastic in Showers?

ANSWER - There is a type 1 and a type 2 organic mastic.  Type 1 mastic is more water resistant, but only suitable for limited water exposure. Using the mastic on the kitchen backsplash is…

Read More