Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cleaning Expert Answers Grout Optical Haze Stains

How to Remove Grout Haze from Unpolished Porcelain Tile?

ANSWER - There is always a grout haze after grouting a tile.   For cementitious grouts, the haze should be polished off with dry clean cheese cloth soon after the tile surface dries leaving a…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout Lippage Standards Warpage

What is the acceptable Tile Grout Joint Width and Tile Lippage for tiles with one edge larger than 15 inches?

ANSWER -  ANSI A108.02-2013 standards say that the grout joint width should be at least 3 times the actual variation of facial dimensions, but never less than 1/16” wide. Read More

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout Leak Moisture Problems stone Wet Areas

Why is some of the grout in my tile floor damp?

ANSWER - Considering you are on an upper floor so water can't becoming in from the landscaping.   And the spot is away from the shower and other water sources, but in the same room as…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout installation Wood Subfloor

Why is my tile floor and making crunchy and popping sounds and why is the grout coming out?

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…

Read More
Balcony Ceramic and Porcelain Tile cracks Expert Answers Exterior Exterior Decks & Balconies failures Grout installation Leak Moisture Problems Sealant Caulk stone

How do I stop our Exterior Tile Deck from leaking?

ANSWER - The leaking of deck causing damages in the ceiling below is the symptom of the cause of the problem.  Treating the symptom will not remediate the cause of the problem. If the deck…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout installation Movement Joints Standards

What is the allowable tolerance for tile grout head joint widths?

ANSWER - I am assuming that when you say head joint that you are referring to the vertical grout joint on the 12" short side of the 12 x 24 inch tile you are installing…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Expert Answers Grout Maintenance sealers

Do I need to Seal my Porcelain Tile and Grout?

ANSWER - I would not do either option.  Their prices are extremely high.  You can do it yourself for probably less than $100. First of all you don’t really need to seal your grout.  I assume…

Read More
Expert Answers Grout Movement Joints

Can Sealants (caulking) be used For Grout Joints?

ANSWER - First of all, if all the grout joints are failing, filling them with sealant only treats the symptom and not the underlying problem.  So it might not solve the problem.

If…

Read More
Expert Answers Grout installation Lippage Standards stone

What is the tolerance for tile grout joints that are butted together?

ANSWER - The joint between two adjacent tiles is referred to as the grout joint, which is what I think you are referring to.  I am also assuming that when you say zero joint you…

Read More
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile Concrete Substrate Slab Expert Answers failures Grout Interior Moisture Problems

Why is water coming out of my Tile Grout Joints?

ANSWER - I will assume that your tile floor is installed over a concrete slab on ground. We know that in New Orleans, as well as in other geographic areas, there is a very high…

Read More