Expert Answers in Expert Answers

ANSWER - According to the Marble Institute of America (MIA), on smooth surface stones, lippage should be limited to +/- 1/32".   Further more they state that allowable lippage is an installation tolerance, and is…

ANSWERS - it is not acceptable to spot bond tiles on floors.  For residential dry area applications, tiles are suppose to have at least 80% thin-set contact with full support at all edges and corners.…

ANSWER -  If only the grout is cracking, and not the tile, then normally grout cracks due to excessive movement in the tile assembly for one reason or another. There are many different types of tile assemblies,…

ANSWER - First you need to make sure you are using a non-sanded grout, which is necessary for grout joint widths less than 1/8" wide or the grout won't fit in.  Sanded grout could scratch…

ANSWER - It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A…

ANSWER - Sanded cementitious grout has sand in it.  There is a chance that grout was not as hard as it should be and when it was cleaned it caused the grout to degrade to…

ANSWER - It is acceptable per the industry standards to adhere tile to a wood subfloor in dry applications.   The plywood subfloor should have a plywood underlayment over it and the configuration of the floor…

ANSWER - The recommendations of most grout manufacturers is that use non-sanded grouts for grout joints less than 1/8’ wide, but can use it up to 1/8” wide.  Grout joints 1/8” up to ½” wide grout…

ANSWER - The color of the grout can greatly affect the appearance of the tile installation.   Using one color versus another can change the apparent color of the tile. There are grout colorants available that…

ANSWER - The wet grout is likely caused by moisture migrating from beneath, or from the sides of, the concrete slab of your basement.  The rain would cause the surrounding soil to become wet and…