cleaning Expert Answers Grout installation Maintenance sealers Stains stone

Why are my newly installed Travertine Tiles have a White Haze and Texture?

ANSWER - If your travertine was dark and rich before it was grouted and sealed, then it should be able to be returned to that condition since it is a natural stone the surface can be…

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Expert Answers Exterior installation stone

How long should we wait to install bluestone pavers over a concrete porch?

ANSWER -  The general rule is to wait 28 days for the concrete to cure, although that depends on the thickness of the concrete, the temperature and humidity,  and the concrete mix. If you use…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Movement Joints Squeaky Floors

Why is my Tile Floor Squeaking?

Answer:   If I understand you correctly, the wood sub-floor was squeaking before you installed the tile over it.   That means that the plywood sheets were not solid and there were weak spots on them.  Screwing…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile installation Squeaky Floors Waterproofing

Why are our Tile Floors Squeaking?

ANSWER - Squeaky tile floors normally mean that either the wood sub-floor under the tiles is not stable in those spots or wasn't fastened down properly. When you install tile over tile the new tile…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers Flood installation Leak Moisture Problems selection

What kind of Tile Should I install over my concrete slab that has high moisture readings?

ANSWER - I assume you had a water leak of some sort that resulted in your concrete slab having a high level of moisture.  If that is the case, then you should let the slab…

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Expert Answers installation Polished stone

Should both sides of my granite backsplash be smooth and shinny?

Answer - I will assume that when you say both sides of the 4" tall granite backsplash you are talking about the front side which you will see, and the back side that is bonded…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Standards

Are there standards for which direction and off-set a Porcelain Wood Plank Tile should be Installed?

ANSWER -  The ANSI A108.02 standards state that any tile being installed in a running bond/staggered/off-set pattern where the side being offset is greater than 15 inches, the offset pattern will be a maximum of…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines

How do we install tile over an aluminum substrate?

ANSWER - In the past we would always use an ANSI A118.3 epoxy adhesive to bond to steel floors in freezers and elevators.  The steel would have to be scarified and cleaned first.  Then grout…

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cracks Expert Answers failures Floor Warming installation Movement Joints Repairs stone

What causes Stress Fractures or Indent Fractures in Natural Stone?

ANSWER - We have seen this condition in marble before.  They are referred to as indent fracturing or stress fracturing veins.

You said that the veins went all the way through the stone, the…

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Expert Answers installation Squeaky Floors stone Workmanship

Why does my New Marble Floor make Creaking Sounds and is it a Defect?

ANSWER - Since the marble was installed over a wood sub-floor, which I assume was plywood, the creaking or squeaky sound is probably due to the plywood not being attached properly.   The plywood itself between…

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