Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Expert Answers Indent Fractures Moisture Problems Optical Haze Stains

What are these Shadow Needle Shapes on my Porcelain tile?

ANSWER - With your description it is hard to determine exactly what is the condition. It could be intend fractures.  That is when there is excessive shrinkage and it causes intents in the tile that…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Debonding Tile Expert Answers failures Hollow Sounding Tiles Moisture Problems Movement Joints Tenting

Can moisture in a Concrete Floor cause the Thin-set Adhesive to Deteriorate and result in Hollow and Tented Tiles?

ANSWER - Thin-set mortars should not deteriorate from being exposed to moisture.  Most thin-set mortars are used in showers and in pools and fountains. Moisture that migrates into the concrete slab from the ground and…

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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…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Efflorescence Staining Expert Answers installation Installation Guidelines Moisture Problems Remodeling Vapor Barrier Waterproofing

What should we do if there is evidence that there is high Moisture coming up our Concrete Slabs?

ANSWER - Carpet might be allowing the moisture to evaporate through it, but as dirty as carpets get you could develop some microbial growth in the carpet.  Adding more carpet doesn't solve or prevent problems.…

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Expert Answers failures Glass Tile Moisture Problems sealers Showers Stains

Why is my Subway Glass Tiles with Wood Grain Deteriorating?

ANSWER - Regarding whether sealing a cementitious grout makes it waterproof, it doesn't.  Using an appropriate penetrating sealer over grout will make it moisture resistant, it will make it stain resistant, and it normally will…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Chips Expert Answers Moisture Problems

Chips in Wood Looking Porcelain Tile

ANSWER - Chances are the hot metal melted the glazed tile surface.  If the tile body is porcelain then by definition it should be impervious and should not compromise the tiles' ability to resist moisture.

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Concrete Substrate Slab Debonding Tile Efflorescence Staining failures Moisture Problems Testing Vapor Barrier

What is the Acceptable Moisture Content in a Concrete Slab for a Tile Installation?

Answer - The ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride membrane was the dominate test for years and depending on the tile installation manufacturer they would request a value of anywhere from 3% to 12% per 1,000 sf…

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

Will residual water from a leak cause damage to my tile installation?

ANSWER - If the tile was installed correctly the residual water/moisture should not harm the tile.  Tile is often installed in showers, fountains, and pools and the moisture should not harm them as long as…

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Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Exterior installation Moisture Problems Wet Areas

What is causing water to collect on the clubhouse deck that makes it slippery?

ANSWER - A vapor retarder goes under the concrete slab and doesn't have anything to do with water pooling/collecting on the tile surface. Industry standards require that the exterior tile surface that is subjected to…

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Backer Board Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout installation Moisture Problems Mold sealers Showers Wet Areas

Can I install Onyx mosaics in my Shower that don't have grout joints?

ANSWER - First of all what happen to the the 3rd wall in the shower?  I will assume it has a different substrate or you aren't tiling it. Not sure why you are using Schluter…

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