Grout installation Repairs

Add more Grout over Shallow Grout Joints?

ANSWER - Generally speaking you would need to first cut out the grout joints with a diamond blade saw and then re-grout the joints after they joints are fully open and clean. If you don't…

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failures installation Stains

Ring shaped spots of moisture in Basalt

ANSWER - I'm not sure what type of product Mapei Isolatic is. Since it is being added to Kerabond it must be a latex additive. The ring shape spots of moisture suggest to me that…

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installation

Is it possible to tile wood stair case without issues in a few years?

ANSWER - It is always best to attach ceramic tile or stone tile to a concrete substrate that is very structurally sound and with little deflection. It is possible and legitimate to bond tile to…

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Grout installation Standards

Is there a standard for grout joint width?

ANSWER - The ANSI and MIA standards do say grout joints should never be less than 1/16" wide, and depending on the type and size of tile they should be wider. It is recommended to always…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Exterior installation

Should I Install Clay Tiles Over Plywood for Outdoor Use?

ANSWER - First of all you should not be installing the clay tiles to plywood if it is going to be used outdoors.  Plywood is moisture sensitive and will expand and contract leading to warpage…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab cracks installation Standards

Will cracks in foundation cause my tile to crack?

ANSWER - Per our industry standards for ceramic tile and stone and from a practical point-of-view, any concrete substrate that has shrinkage cracks should be isolated with a crack isolation membrane. If the cracks are…

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Concrete Substrate Slab cracks installation stone

Best subfloor for tile in house that settled unevenly?

ANSWER - You can not install your travertine or any type of tile over a concrete foundation that has cracks without first fixing the problem. If it is simply shrinkage cracks that only move horizontally…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile installation

Is portable propane heat ok when installing ceramic tile?

ANSWER - Manufacturer's of the installation products for ceramic tile and stone caution to not use propane heaters. The reason is because the propane heaters emit carbon dioxide that can lead to a condition called…

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installation selection Standards

Difference between latex modified thin-set and polymer modified thin-set?

ANSWER - There are modified thin-set adhesives that meet ANSI A118.4 or ANSI A118.15.  They can either me latex modified thin-set where you add the appropriate liquid latex rather than water or there are polymer modified…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile installation Standards

Ceramic Tile Warpage-Top quality tile not completely flat

ANSWER - There are ANSI A137.1 industry standards on quantifying what is considered acceptable dimension variation within standard grade ceramic tiles. Ceramic tile is not perfect and the installation methods help compensate for the imperfections…

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