Expert Answers in installation

ANSWER – First of all if it was installed correctly you wouldn’t have a problem.  To fully figure it out I would have to perform a forensic intrusive inspection, which probably isn’t practical for a…

ANSWER – No you cannot use a stucco mix as a mortar bed for adjusting the uneven concrete floor.  Stucco mixes don’t have a lot of cement in them and they are weak mortars.  You…

ANSWER – For an ADA shower you can’t have a curb/dam.   You need a minimum slope to drain of ¼” per foot and no more than ½” per foot.   You need a two part drain…

Xypex is suppose to waterproof the concrete.  So in theory it should prevent moisture migration in the concrete wall to help reduce the possibility of efflorescence.  You can still get efflorescence from the mortar or…

ANSWER – The proper way to cut glass tile is either with a continuous rim diamond blade either wet or dry.  Also you can cut glass tile with manual tile cutters.  The glass tile is…

ANSWER – You should use an ASTM C920 silicone sealant suitable for granite.

Laticrete has a product called Latasil that comes in many colors.

Dow Corning has a product called 795 or 790 that comes in a…

ANSWER – The term mastic in the ceramic tile industry is an organic adhesive per ANSI A136.1.   Type 1 and type 2 organic adhesives are to be used only in interior wall and ceilings…

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…

ANSWER – I am assuming that the ceramic tile was bonded directly to the wood subfloor.  There are acceptable methods for installing ceramic tile over wood substrates in interior dry applications.  It is always considered better…

ANSWER – First of all not all hollow sounds are voids.  Having hollow sounds is not a deficiency and there are no standards addressing hollow sounds, other to say that hollow sounds don’t necessary mean…